Visitor Services Intern

Project Title: Visitor Services Internship

Project Type: In-person
Duration: 7 month internship (27 weeks); Starting August/September 2024; applications evaluated on a rolling basis

Location: San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Los Banos, CA

Site Background: San Luis NWR Complex consists of San Luis NWR, Merced NWR, and San Joaquin River NWR located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Refuge Complex lands are managed primarily with a focus on migratory waterbirds and endangered species.  Refuge and surrounding lands comprise a major wintering area for birds traveling the Pacific Flyway and hosts over a million ducks and geese, 300,000 shorebirds, and 15,000 sandhill cranes each winter. San Luis NWR is home to a herd of tule elk that is visible from a public auto tour route. The Complex has an active visitor services program that includes 4 automobile tour routes for visitors to view wildlife from their vehicles and 13 nature trails, as well as environmental education, interpretive, and hunting programs. San Luis NWR features an award-winning visitor center that is the headquarters of the Complex.

To learn more about the San Luis NWR Complex, visit the refuge Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SanLuisNWRC).

Fellowship Description: You can make a difference in our world. The work of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) received funding through the CARES Act to place long term interns at field stations to help mitigate COVID-related impacts on visitor services. Proposed projects/duties include activities such as roving outdoor interpretation, outdoor programming, virtual education and/or interpretive programming, and staffing Visitor Centers. Many field stations have experienced increased visitation over the past 18 months, while being impacted by fewer volunteers and interns to perform key operational functions.

Working with the San Luis NWR Complex visitor services program, your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assisting the Refuge Complex with developing and providing educational and outreach programs for visitors. Sample duties include:
  • Leading guided nature walks for the public.
  • Assisting with conducting public events at the refuge, such as Elk Day and Crane Day
  • Filming/producing virtual (video) nature walks and tours to be posted on refuge websites and social media.
  • Assisting with conducting in-person environmental education field trips for visiting schools.
• “Ranger on a Trail” impromptu interactions with refuge visitors by roving trails and tour routes during high visitor traffic periods, or stationing near trailheads and parking areas, to answer questions and provide information about the refuge.
• Staffing the visitor center information desk to interact with visitors in-person and over the phone.
• Assisting with trimming and upkeep of refuge nature trails and visitor facilities.
• Assist the refuge complex with engaging and recruiting visitors from ethnically diverse local communities, including developing or translating Spanish language outreach materials.
• A typical “day in the life” of this position might include leading a Saturday morning nature walk for the public, followed by roving around refuge auto tour routes during busy periods to assist visitors with questions about the refuge or wildlife. Other days might include assisting refuge staff conduct a field trip for a visiting school group. Other days might consist of being stationed at the visitor center information desk to greet visitors and answer questions or creating/editing interpretive videos for posting on social media. Training and mentoring will be provided on tasks.

In addition, we are addressing the economic impacts of COVID by offering opportunities that include a livable wage (at least $16/hour) and adequate housing and/or transportation stipends where needed. Ages for this internship is 18-30, up to 35 years for veterans.
Applicants must possess US citizenship or US residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.

To support the Administration’s focus on racial equity and justice, the Service is seeking diverse applicant pools for these positions to apply and encourage applicants who culturally identify as Hispanic/Latinx/a/o or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) to apply; however the Service does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, marital status, familial status, family responsibility, pregnancy or other pregnancy- related conditions, childbirth, disability, military/veteran status, citizenship status, religion or political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal or state law, local ordinance or Executive Orders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Desired Qualifications:

• Is enthusiastic about wildlife and natural resources
• Comfortable and capable of working independently
• Able to work outside in all weather conditions
• Experience working with the public is desirable
• Is good at networking and creating partnerships
• Has the ability to connect with diverse audiences
• Is comfortable and competent in public speaking
• Is proficient in and enjoys writing and communicating clearly
• Able, with instruction, to teach environmental education and interpretation programs and lead nature walks
• Has excellent customer/visitor service skills
• Has knowledge of social media platforms and video editing programs

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ages 18 to 30
• Available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for 27 weeks. Part-time work available on a case-by-case basis. Position requires weekend work (Saturday and Sunday).  Work duties will occur at all 3 refuges in the Complex.
• Driver’s license required. Intern will be required to drive a government vehicle.
• Undergraduate student, recent grads, or young professionals
  • Have or in pursuit of undergraduate degree in: Education, Interpretation, Environmental Science, Natural Resource degree, Wildlife Biology, or closely related field.
• US citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.
• Personal vehicle required.
• Bilingual in spoken and written Spanish

Stipend + Benefits:

• $1,280 bi-weekly stipend based on a 40 hour work week
• Free on-site government housing provided for candidate in a refuge communal bunkhouse
• $100 monthly commuting stipend provided
• $2,000 in funding for professional development and field work expenses
• Public Land Corp Eligibility - after completing 640 hours, PLC status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for federal positions.

*Interns are hired as temporary employees; taxes may be withheld from wage stipends.

Application:
Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is managing the recruitment for these positions. All applications should be submitted through Hispanic Access' MANO Project application page. A resume and two references will be required for submission. Your application or resume should include professional and educational experience, along with any awards, technical skills or volunteer activities. Application questions or issues may be directed to Carina Chavez (carina@hispanicaccess.org). 

Applications will be evaluated and virtual interviews scheduled on a rolling basis as applications are received.

About Us: 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Hispanic Access Foundation Mission:
Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos and People of Color to partners and opportunities improving lives and creating an equitable society. Hispanic Access’s vision is that all Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America.