Visitor Services Intern (Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex)

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), is recruiting a Visitor Services Research Associate Intern for the public lands of Southern Nevada. The intern position will provide the candidate a unique opportunity to work with five Federal agencies (FWS, NPS, BLM, USFS and Reclamation) and their partners as part of a multi-agency project to develop and deliver outdoor recreation opportunities to underrepresented audiences. The internship offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain training, experience, and skill in a variety of visitor services programs, including educational programming, outreach activities, and volunteer programs. 

The intern will work closely with the two lead Park Rangers and the position’s duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting curriculum-based environmental education programs
• Conducting teacher training and orientation programs
• Developing content for non-personal interpretive material such as brochures, exhibits, and signs
• Developing content for social media, websites, and other electronic platforms. Helping project leads maintain website and social media pages
• Attending outreach events to reach new audiences
• Assisting with volunteer project coordination and helping conduct single-day and multi-day (overnight) stewardship events
• All programming development and implementation will be done in close collaboration with the Federal agencies and their partners
• Working in close cooperation with Refuge staff in all aspects of work duties

GBI and the FWS are dedicated to offering robust professional development and training opportunities as a part of this internship. The successful candidate can expect to end the internship ready to take the next step in a public lands career.

Contract Timeline:

• Anticipated start date: 03/04/2024
• 26-week (6 month) duration
• Open to Part Time or Full-Time schedule depending on candidate availability; weekend hours will be required
  *Please indicate your part time or full-time schedule preference in your cover letter.

Location:
The Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Ash Meadows NWR, Moapa Valley NWR, and Pahranagat NWR. These refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region and have a related purpose and management needs. The intern will have office space at the Refuge Complex headquarters, located at 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130.

In addition to the scenic desert beauty at the Refuges, there are several other recreation and natural setting opportunities to explore close by. Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and more are within a few hours driving distance and afford a variety of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing to fishing, boating and skiing/snowboarding.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Rate of pay: $19.35 per hour
• Benefits for Full Time Employees Only:
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you
• Paid leave and holidays

Job Qualifications:

• Has earned or is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a conservation or visitor services related field (e.g., education, outdoor recreation, natural resources conservation, biology) or related coursework and commensurate field experience;
• Experience collaborating with external partners and organizations to achieve joint projects;
• Some experience conducting environmental education or similar programming;
• Knowledge of and/or experience developing multi-media programs, desirable;
• Experience and knowledge of the Mojave Desert ecosystem (preferable) or other desert ecosystems, desirable;
• Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities;
• Some experience in working with youth and children;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse public in a variety of forums;
• Ability to speak Spanish conversationally, desirable but not required;
• Ability to perform physical work outdoors in harsh and rapidly changing environments; and
• Possess valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license.