Wilderness Rangers | Student Conservation Association | California, USA (2025)

Note that this is an internship which includes a stipend and benefits, rather than a paid job.

Position Summary 

The interns will perform duties related to Wilderness and trail management in the Sierra National Forest. This is a physically demanding position on a self-supported backpacking crew working backcountry tours up to 8 days in length, carrying a backpack weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally supported by stock.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Interns will be checking Wilderness permits
• Educating the public on Leave No Trace ethics and forest regulations
• Performing trail clearing and maintenance; and monitoring Wilderness character and resources for other specialists including aquatic species, terrestrial wildlife, heritage resources, and hydrology
• Interns will work alongside seasonal and permanent Forest Service employees and other volunteers throughout the summer season

Marginal Duties 

• Opportunities exist to work more closely with those resource areas if interested
• Report writing

Required Qualifications 

Applicants must be physically fit, able to be part of a self-supported backpacking crew working backcountry tours up to 8 days in length, carrying a backpack weighing up to 50 pounds. Applicants who have a passion for the outdoors and interest in land management, trail work, and interacting with the public will thrive in this position!

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Wilderness camping during work hitches. Housing Provided by the USFS when not in the field.

Compensation  

• $400/week living allowance
• $1,100 travel allowance (Personal vehicle recommended for days off)
• $1,956 AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of no less than 450 hours of service

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

• Bear Safety
• Interpretive Skills
• AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Interpretive Ranger | Student Conservation Association | New Hampshire, USA (2025)

Note that this is an internship which includes a stipend and benefits, rather than a paid job.

Have you ever wanted to live in a park where you can explore thousands of acres of prime New England Forest? Do you want to make life-long friends who are passionate about the environment and from all over the United States? Does the chance to learn conservation and leadership skills and start your career off with this unique experience sound exciting? If you answered yes to any or all these questions, then the New Hampshire Conservation Corps is the place for you!  

The New Hampshire Conservation Corps (NHCC): 

The NHCC is a collaboration between the SCA, the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and AmeriCorps. Since 1994, the SCA NH Corps has provided over one million hours of service to New Hampshire while training young adults to do valuable conservation work. Each year 27 young adult volunteers (18 Field Crew members and 9 Interpretive Rangers) participate in two unique positions. Members deliver environmental education programs to the state’s residents and visitors or complete conservation service projects to improve and protect the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources from the Atlantic Coast to the White Mountains and beyond. Over the past 30 years, more than 800 members have served over 1.4 million hours in the Granite State. 

Location: Residential facility is at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH, with additional service locations throughout the state.  Other service locations may include the following state parks – Pawtuckaway, Monadnock, Greenfield, Franconia Notch, White Lake, and Umbagog Lake! 

Interpretive Ranger Position – A Unique Role with NH State Parks    

You will provide environmental education, park interpretation, outdoor recreation, conservation, science, and cultural history programs during your time with NHCC! The program will help jumpstart your career, providing you with hands-on experience developing, marketing, teaching, and evaluating classroom and outdoor environmental and recreational programming. The professional development you gain from this experience will be invaluable throughout your career. This experience is what YOU make it, and we are here to guide you throughout your service term as you start your career. 

Position Overview: 

This program has been branded the Discover the Power of Parks (DPP). The purpose of this program is to engage visitors with the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of New Hampshire. During the service term you will have the chance to live in one or more state parks, where you will connect residents and visitors through fun and engaging programs and visitor service activities. 

Responsibilities: 

Essential Functions 

• Program development – researching and designing programs for kids, adults, and multi-age groups 
• Program delivery – teaching or leading programs for school classes, afterschool programs, community groups, and state park patrons 
• Public speaking  
• Visitor services – engaging with park visitors to answer their questions, educate them on park policies and protocols, and enhance their overall park experience.    
• Program reporting and evaluation 
• Ability to hike 5 more miles per day when conducting educational programs or visitor service activities 
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, emailing, and internet research 

Program delivery (40%) 

You will spend the majority of your time delivering programs. The number of programs you deliver each week will depend on your specific park and the Spring/Fall outreach schedule. Generally, the summer is the busiest program season with programs happening at NH State Parks.  In the Spring and Fall, there are fewer programs due to the time it takes to get to travel to local schools or community organizations to deliver programming. 

Developing, researching, and creating new programs, as well as preparation for programs (30%) 

This is the “behind the scenes” work that goes into creating a successful program. This includes typing program outlines and lesson plans, adapting existing curriculum for your needs, creating new program content, and researching topics to expand your knowledge on local ecosystems, natural and cultural history, and best practices in outdoor recreation. You will also need to ensure you have all the supplies and props necessary for these programs, this can involve using existing tools or materials (pond nets, animal skulls and pelts, outdoor survival tools, etc.), or creating new materials – preparing craft or project supplies. 

Visitor services (15%) 

In addition to delivering your programs, you will also need to engage with guests during your non-program time. This may include “roving” or hiking trails to engage with guests and encourage LNT and hiker safety, visiting campsites to promote your programs, and answering any other questions visitors have. This may seem like a small or menial task but giving hiking recommendations, sharing the best times and places to find specific animals, or even giving local restaurant recommendations can enhance a park visitor’s experience.  

Reporting and other duties as assigned (15%) 

Interpretive Rangers complete weekly reporting that includes the number of program participants and park patrons engaged and a self-evaluation of the service week. Other assignments include writing blogs for NH State Parks, specific programmatic research, and taking pictures to showcase your experience. Rangers are also tasked with participating in staff meetings and additional park tasks. 

Marginal Functions 

• Facilities maintenance 
• Potential for land and trail management activities  
• Driving large 12 passenger vans 
• Assisting with additional state park tasks (i.e. stocking firewood, helping with camper check in, etc.) 

Qualifications: 

• US Citizenship or ability to legally work in the US 
• Must complete and pass required state, federal and motor vehicle record checks 
• Must be 21 years of age or older with a current driver’s license for at least 3 years 
• A reliable personal vehicle for the duration of the service term 
• Need a personal computer for the duration of the program 
• Have not completed 4 terms of service as an AmeriCorps member 
• Must commit to completing the entire 7-month program  
• Passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors, ecology, environmental conservation, and/or local cultural and indigenous history 
• Strong time management skills  
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team 
• Experience with public speaking 
• Willingness to create hands on activities and programs for kids and adults 
• Ability to adapt to programmatic changes daily 
• Willingness to live in an intentional community and by yourself during the service term 

Benefits: 

• Living Allowance $220/week up to $6,820 
• AmeriCorps Education Award, upon successful completion of the term – $5176.50 
• Housing is provided – estimated value is $4,000 
• Health Insurance – $513 per month or $3,591 total value
• All food is provided – estimated value is $1705 
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) includes CPR- $550  
• Certified Interpretive Guide training – $400 
• Leave No Trace – Trainer Certification – $150 
• NH State Park Pass for day use in the 2025 season