Visitor Services and Public Programming Volunteer Internship - Students/PostGrad
ORGANIZATION: National Park Service
Please visit the new page to apply.
Time Commitment:
- May-August (Minimum of 8-week commitment)
- Individual volunteer-interns are asked to contribute 32-hrs per week. Housing is available at Big Cypress National Preserve.
- For volunteer opportunities ranging from 8-hrs per week with no housing see the Preserve Ambassador Docent post.
Major Duties:
Interns work with the Interpretation and Education Division. The Interpretation Division is responsible for providing the public with a cohesive and memorable experience at Big Cypress.
Volunteer- i nterns will work with park rangers and preserve staff to provide general preserve and park information at a visitor center and support public programming and outreach events. Volunteer-interns will also assist staff with special projects, support digital media content and will have the opportunity to cross-train and job shadow a variety of career fields with the National Park Service.
As a part of the 8-week experience, the volunteer-intern will have the opportunity to take trips into the preserve that involves hiking into cypress strands, prairies, and pinelands. Hiking in these conditions can be physically demanding as it involves long periods of standing, walking through knee to thigh deep water, heat and humidity, mosquitoes, uneven footing and other swamp creature! A normal workday will be from 8-4:30, four days out of the week. Days will be a mix of visitor center and indoor projects with occasional outings into the preserve. We want this to be an all-encompassing and valuable experience for all parties involved!
Volunteer-interns may assist with special events and festivals, develop digital content, provide outreach programs such as wet walks, canoe trips and bike rides to special interest groups and assist with general upkeep and maintenance and ensuring that equipment is functional. Additionally, there will be opportunities to cross train with other preserve divisions and Florida National Park Units.
Requirements: Each volunteer works a minimum of 32 hours each week. Typically, these hours will be fulfilled by working four, 8-hour days. We ask that interns be flexible, as the days assigned may change from week to week depending on programs. The workdays will normally be between Monday and Friday with occasional weekend work for special events and festivals.
Must have own personal vehicle. The duty station to report to is the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center. Volunteer-interns must have a valid driver’s license and will drive a government vehicle if traveling to a special event or outreach program.
Volunteer-interns will have the opportunity to assist other divisions with special projects, visit other agencies in the area and have many other training opportunities.
Qualifications:
Must have enthusiasm!!! Must enjoy working with people of all ages and have a passion for the environment. Knowledge of natural science (or willingness to learn), good communication skills, flexibility, ability to work well as a team member, are things that the Big Cypress Interpretation team values highly.
Compensation:
Free housing is offered as compensation for this unpaid internship and staff will work together with the intern if he/she/they are looking to receive college credit for their time with us. We will provide a furnished bedroom in a shared house in exchange for a minimum of 32 hours of work. Laundry facilities, pool and weight room are also available.
Area:
Big Cypress can provide free housing to the Interns. BICY’s housing policy does not discriminate and accepts all individual not matter of their sexual orientation or accessibility needs. Housing accommodations are located within the preserve with a great yard and view of a canal behind the house.
Accommodations are shared with another park employee or intern. The furnished house is a two-bedroom home with central air. Utilities (electric, water, and sewer) are paid by the park. The intern will have their own bedroom space furnished with a twin bed, nightstand, dresser, and closet. The intern and roommates will share a furnished common living room, bathroom, and kitchen/dining area. Stove, microwave, refrigerator, washer and dryer, central AC are available in the residence. The house does not have wi-fi, but there is wi-fi at our HQ building less than a mile away. Those who have lived there in the past, have also had great success using a hotspot. The intern will be able to walk or drive to their duty station less than a mile away but will need to drive ~26 miles to get into Naples for groceries, restaurants, libraries, several gas stations, and other businesses. Everglades City which is only a 15-minute drive away provides smaller stores for more immediate needs.
Within a 30 to 60-minute drive from the intern’s residence, the intern will find many hiking trails and canoe/kayaking opportunities both in the park and outside the park. The area is surrounded by city, county, state, and other federal public lands that provide great opportunities to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.
Start Date - 2025-05-05
End Date - 2025-08-03
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About National Park Service
Location:
1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240, US
Mission Statement
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Description
The U.S. National Park Service, www.nps.gov, cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. We care for more than 400 national parks and help communities preserve their historic places and open spaces.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
33100 Tamiami Trail EastOchopee, FL 34141
DATE POSTED
January 25, 2025
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
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