Wilderness Ranger Intern

Internship - Wilderness Ranger Intern

Program Dates: 05/16/2024 - 08/07/2024

About us:
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country."

Program Description:
Immerse yourself in the unique beauty of the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area as a Wilderness Ranger. Nordhouse Dunes is a 3,450 acre Federally Designated Wilderness Area on the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan and is popular for hiking, camping, hunting, nature study, wildlife viewing, and for its miles of undeveloped beach, soft sand, and cool waters.

As a Wilderness Ranger on the Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District, you will have the opportunity to preserve the Wilderness Area through education, outreach, interpretation, and monitoring. Alongside Forest Service Recreation Technicians, you will educate visitors on Wilderness regulations and responsible use, Leave No Trace Ethics, and Wilderness Character. You will help visitors understand the value of solitude, and the importance of leaving the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area undeveloped and untrammeled. Wilderness Rangers will maintain Wilderness trailheads, routinely perform wilderness patrols, develop educational materials, conduct presentations, and lead interpretive hikes. Wilderness Rangers will be part of a four-person team that receives day-to-day direction from the Lead Recreation Technician.

Successful candidates will need to be motivated team-players, able to work with and educate forest visitors in a variety of settings, and capable of identifying and implementing environmental stewardship projects in ways that are consistent with the management of designated Wilderness Areas. This work will, at times, be physically arduous. Wilderness patrols will involve public interaction, data gathering on a tablet utilizing Survey123, trash removal, and trail clearing. Wilderness Rangers are expected to hike up to 5 miles per day and be comfortable in a public facing role representing SCA and the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Housing is provided in an on-site bunkhouse with kitchen and bathroom facilities in an adjacent building. Personal vehicle is recommended.

Member Benefits:
$450/week Living Allowance*
$1,100 Travel Allowance*, paid once with first paycheck
Housing on-site
Bunkhouse located on-site in Wellston, MI. Bunk house has semi-private rooms .Bathrooms, washer & dryer, and full kitchen are in an adjacent building. An intern can expect a shared room in the bunkhouse style building. The bunkhouse, kitchen and baths are not ADA compliant
Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,824.07, to be received upon successful completion of position and service of 450hrs or more
Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority

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

Member Qualifications:
Driver's license
Personal vehicle recommended