Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore recruits fall and winter interns
From staff reports
Do you like to hike the trails and play in the snow? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is recruiting up to three fall and winter interns to assist with snowshoe field trips, weekend hikes, and planning for the National Lakeshore’s 50thanniversary. The internship time periods are mid-October to mid-December and early January to mid-March with the opportunity for extension based on student academic requirement needs.
Interns will gain valuable experience in the fields of environmental education and interpretation. Interns will also be introduced to the policies, procedures, and career paths within the National Park Service (NPS). Internships in the NPS bolster student skills and experience, and are designed to be stepping stones to careers within the agency or similar workforce.
Work includes planning and presenting curriculum-based lessons and activities on topics such as winter ecology, animal adaptations, snow science, and NPS mission and history. Interns will also assist in leading snowshoe hikes for elementary school students and for the general public. Interns will create and post content on the park’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Interns will also be assisting with event planning in preparation for Sleeping Bear Dune’s 50th anniversary as a National Lakeshore.
Typical work schedule is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday in the fall and Tuesday through Saturday in the winter. Interns receive a stipend of $20 per day, government housing, plus a volunteer uniform. Interns are required to provide their own snow/rain pants and waterproof boots. Snowshoes will be available for the interns to use during educational and interpretive programs. Snowshoeing experience is not necessary; however, the interns must be physically capable of snowshoeing or hiking up to several miles per day, five days a week. Experience working with elementary students is preferred.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, two references, and one letter of recommendation to the park’s Education Technician at slbe_education@nps.gov or mail your application packet to: Attn: Education Technician, 9922 West Front Street, Empire, MI, 49630. For more information about internships at the National Lakeshore, visit NPS.gov/slbe/getinvolved/winter-interpretation-interns.htm.
