Assateague Island National Seashore

Internship positions at Assateague Island National Seashore are available in several areas. Each position is described via links below. Please remember that opportunities are limited for positions in which we provide living quarters, and supervisors screen applications to identify those who we hope will be the most valuable employees.
The park seasonally hosts interns referred through the Student Conservation Association (SCA). Applicants do not have to be college students. These positions are offered in spring, summer and fall. Housing and subsistence benefits are provided. Please apply through SCA.
The park also hosts interns sponsored and placed through our own Volunteer-in-the-Parks (VIP) program, rather than SCA. Interns report our positions to be educationally rewarding and professionally challenging. If the internship is for course credit, our supervisors will work administratively with school advisors to ensure that curriculum requirements are met. To apply, send a letter of interest indicating availability, a resume, a college transcript (need not be official), and two written references (one of which should be an employer or supervisor) which may arrive under separate cover.
Visit these position description links for our Maryland District Resource Education internships, Virginia District Resource Education internships, Resource Management Water Quality Monitoring internships and Resource Management Bird Monitoring internship. Apply early! Supervisors will make a selection from applicants well in advance of the start dates.
Information about obtaining paid seasonal and permanent positions should be directed to www.usajobs.opm.gov
We hope to see your name among the applications for positions here at the seashore. The application deadlines vary, so read each announcement carefully. Due to the high number of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be called.
Interpretation (Resource Education) Maryland District
This is an interpretive naturalist position located at Assateague Island National Seashore. The position is in the Maryland District of the island. The intern will work alongside salaried seasonal and permanent naturalists and have similar duties and performance requirements.
Required Background: Applicants must have an academic background in natural sciences and/or education.
Dates of Service: Spring, summer and fall positions are available. These are usually 12 week positions and require weekend and evening shifts. The work week consists of 5 days with 2 consecutive days off.
Duties and Responsibilities: Spring and fall interns will participate in an ongoing training program. Participants will primarily participate in a busy environmental education program. Intern will present public weekend programs and activities (demonstrations, nature walks, aquarium talks, etc..). Intern must be willing to work with primary grade level students and use a variety of educational techniques including puppetry, poetry and singing. Please apply for this spring position through the Student Conservation Association (SCA).
Summer internships begin the first full of week of June, generally extending to the end of August (12 weeks). The work week consists of five days with two consecutive days off. Weekend and evening duty shifts are required. The first two weeks are spent in training. Please apply for summer positions by contacting Rachelle Daigneault, Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, Maryland 21811, rachelle_daigneault@nps.gov.
Each intern will learn and interpret the basics of marine biology and barrier island ecology for visitors through regularly scheduled nature programs. Programs include guided canoe trips, surf fishing demonstrations, crabbing and clamming demonstrations, and campfires. Visitor center information desk duty should be anticipated along with book shop sales. A saltwater aquarium, adjacent touch tank and beachcombing exhibit will be interpreted.
The applicant must have a valid state driver's license. Government transportation will be provided while in the performance of official duties.
Housing, Uniforms, and Subsistence Reimbursement: Assateague Island National Seashore provides free housing for its interns. In the Maryland District, this housing consists of dormitory style houses and rooms are usually shared. Houses are furnished, with the exception of linens and specialized cooking utensils.
Interns must provide their own transportation to and from the seashore. A subsistence reimbursement of $12 per day is provided. A uniform will be furnished with associated standards for appearance.
Work Environment and Area Information: Assateague Island can be hot and humid in the summer; and windy, cold, and variable in the spring and fall. Biting flies and mosquitoes prevail in the marsh and at night, from May to the first killing frost. The intern can expect to exert some degree of physical effort in outdoor programs and especially as guides for canoeing programs.
The Maryland District is located 8 miles from Ocean City, a sizable resort community. The small town of Berlin, Maryland, with shopping, banks, and supermarkets, is also 8 miles away. It is highly desirable that interns have some kind of personal transportation. Bicycles are helpful. Non-car-owners should expect to share some gasoline costs with seasonal employees who have vehicles.

 

 

Interpretation (Resource Education), Virginia District
Interns are stationed at the Toms Cove Visitor Center located in the Virginia District of Assateague Island National Seashore in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Interns serve as interpretive naturalists conducting programs on a variety of seashore themes to visitors. Activities include beach walks, evening campfire programs, aquarium talks, and environmental education programs. Interns may also serve as part time park dispatchers with associated administrative duties.
Required Background:
-academic background in natural science
-public speaking skills
-valid drivers license
-typing and office organization skills
-ability to work and deal harmoniously with coworkers and park visitors
-writing skills, including clarity in filling out various permits
Dates of Service: Spring interns will participate in an ongoing training program. Participants will take part in a busy environmental education program, as well as preparation of selected weekend programs and activities presented for the public (demonstrations, nature walks, aquarium talks, etc..). Intern must be willing to work with primary grade level students and use a variety of educational techniques including puppetry, poetry and singing. Please apply for this spring position through the Student Conservation Association (SCA).
Summer internships begin the first full of week of June, generally extending to the end of August (12 weeks). The work week consists of five days with two consecutive days off. Weekend and evening duty shifts are required. The first two weeks are spent in training. Please apply for summer positions by contacting Tracy Ammerman, Assateague Island National Seashore, PO Box 38, Chincoteague, VA 23336, tracy_ammerman@nps.gov
Duties and Responsibilities: Interns will prepare and present natural history programs and activities pertaining to marsh, bay and beach environments for audiences of adults and children (50%). Interns also work the visitor center information desk, sales desk, dispatch office, and fill out visitor permit applications (35%). Other visitor assistance and special projects will also be required (15%).
Housing, Uniforms, and Subsistence Reimbursement: Assateague Island National Seashore provides free housing for its resident interns. In the Virginia District, housing consists of dormitory style houses and rooms are usually shared. Rooms are furnished, with the exception of linens and cooking utensils. It is required that interns have vehicle transportation as housing is located 15 miles from the seashore.
Interns must provide their own transportation to and from the seashore. A subsistence reimbursement of $12 per day is provided. A uniform will be furnished with associated standards for appearance.
Work Environment and Area Information: Assateague Island can be hot and humid in the summer. Biting flies and mosquitoes prevail in the marsh and at night, from the middle of May to the first killing frost. The intern can expect to exert some degree of physical effort in nature walks and surf fishing demonstrations.
The Virginia district office is located near Chincoteague Island, a small resort community.

 

 

Natural Resource Management (Water Quality Monitoring)
Dates of Service: Early March - Early June (12 weeks), Early June - Mid August (12 weeks)
Duties and Responsibilities: Interns will assist staff in estuarine water quality monitoring, tide gauge maintenance, experimental seagrass aquarium maintenance, beach water quality monitoring, terrestrial vegetation studies and various other natural resource management activities. Interns will gain experience working in a National Park, using water quality analytical instruments, and acquiring valuable hands-on experience conducting resource management field studies. People with skills and interests in estuarine, marine, vegetation, wildlife, geophysical and environmental sciences are encouraged to apply.
Housing, Uniforms, and Subsistence Reimbursement: Interns are paid $120 biweekly and provided free on-site housing and uniforms. Modern, furnished housing is provided free of charge and located close to park headquarters and the beach. Interns will most likely share a room (same sex) and share living areas. Amenities include: full kitchen, microwaves, pots, pans, plates, utensils, and air conditioning, free washer/dryers and local phone calls. Other housing amenities include screened-in porches, a volleyball court, bbq grills and a well-equipped fitness room. Smoking is prohibited inside housing, and pets are not allowed.
Work Environment and Area Information: Assateague Island National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service, is an Atlantic coast barrier island and shallow water estuary habitat. Located in northeastern Maryland, near the seaside resort of Ocean City, MD. Assateague Island is famous for its wild ponies and 37 miles of white, sandy beaches. Numerous outdoor recreational opportunities are available in the area including: fishing, crabbing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, camping and bird watching. The Natural Resource Management Division inventories, monitors, and manages biological, geological, and cultural resources and employs specialists in wildlife, vegetation, water quality, geographic information systems, and geophysical sciences.
Working conditions vary according to season, but may include exposure to cold water, wind, waves, intense sun, heat, humidity, biting insects, ticks and poison ivy. Applicants should feel comfortable working in and on the water and from boats. Operation of two and four-wheel drive vehicles is required, so applicants must possess a valid state driver's license.
Position dates are 12-14 weeks long, working 40 hours per week, generally Monday-Friday. Within reason, lengths and dates of placement can be adjusted to fit applicants' needs. Groceries, general shopping, medical facilities and other amenities are located within 7 miles of the Park. A car is recommended for transportation, but a bicycle may be adequate for some.
How to Apply:
--Send a cover letter stating your interest and the specific position you are applying to.
--Send a resume documenting your work experience, education, skills, interests and other pertinent information.
--Send a copy of your most recent college transcript (unofficial). Also a list of additional courses you will have completed by the start of the internship that do not appear on your transcript.
--Send EITHER 2 letters of recommendation from references that know you well in a work or educational situation, OR the names and phone numbers of 2 or 3 references.
--Include addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers where you can be reached and dates you will be available at different addresses (home and school). Positions are usually filled 4 weeks prior to the start date, so send your application materials as soon as possible.
--Applicant must make arrangements with their academic institution to obtain college credit.
Contact Brian Sturgis, Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, Maryland 21811, 410-641-1441 ext.250, brian_sturgis@nps.gov

 

Natural Resource Management (Piping Plover Monitoring)
Duties and Responsibilities: Interns will assist in the monitoring and management of a breeding population of Piping Plover on Assateague Island, Maryland. Piping Plovers are small, ground nesting shorebirds that are federally listed as a Threatened species. A background in natural sciences with an interest in avian identification and ecology is desirable.
Skills: Must have keen eyesight with ability to locate cryptic birds, nests and chicks, and to use binoculars and spotting scopes. Must have the ability to walk several kilometers per day in soft sand under direct sunlight, with moderate lifting, digging and carrying. Must be attentive to details, and accurately complete data sheets. Requires operation of off road vehicles (must have valid drivers license).
Dates of Service: Two positions, 12 and 16 weeks each, start in April.
Housing, Uniforms, and Subsistence Reimbursement: Interns are provided dormitory-style housing adjacent to the duty station, a weekly subsistence and on-the-job training. Uniform shirts are provided.
Work Environment and Area Information: Plover monitors will work on primitive beaches, either as a team or independently. The workday begins at 6:00 a.m. and will include working in inclement weather conditions. Weather on Assateague Island is variable and can be windy, cold, hot or humid and coastal storms are possible. Biting flies, mosquitoes and ticks may be abundant under certain conditions.
The Maryland District is located 8 miles from Ocean City, a sizable resort community. The small town of Berlin, Maryland, with shopping, banks, and supermarkets, is also 8 miles away. It is highly desirable that interns have some kind of personal transportation. Bicycles are helpful. Non-car-owners should expect to share some gasoline costs with seasonal employees who have vehicles.
How to Apply: For additional information, please contact Jack Kumer as listed below. Applicants interested in the 12-week position must apply through the Student Conservation Association, an organization committed to providing volunteer opportunities in the outdoors. Visit their website at www.thesca.org. Applicants interested in the 16-week position should submit an application or resume to Jack Kumer, Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811, 410-641-1441 x214, or to jack_kumer@nps.gov.