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NPS -- Summer
Internship Program |
| Are you interested in a summer of challenging new experiences? Do
you like people and nature? Rocky Mountain National Park has interpretive
internship opportunities available for students who want to learn, experience
some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation, and help park visitors
understand and appreciate the park's natural and cultural resources.
Internships are available for 11 weeks from the end of May to
mid-August. Area Information Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the Front Range of Colorado, 70 miles northwest of Denver. The park consists of 415 square miles of high mountain scenery and a variety of ecosystems. Elevations in the park, range from 7,500 to over 14,0000 feet at the summit of Longs Peak. The Continental Divide runs through the center of the park with many summits over 12,000 feet. The mountain scenery was carved and sculpted by glaciers. A few small glaciers are still in existence. The wide range of park elevations allows for a diversity of ecosystems. Park wildlife includes elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, mountain lions, marmots, pikas, golden eagles, jays and a number of other animals. Vegetation encompasses ponderosa pine woodlands at lower elevations, dense forests of spruce and fir and hardy alpine tundra plants above timberline. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the US, reaches over 12,183 feet and provides access to the alpine tundra while connecting the east and west sides of the park. The unpaved Fall River Road, the original road across the park, meets Trail Ridge Road at Fall River Pass above tree line. Most of the Park is wilderness with over 350 miles of trails that access the park's backcountry. Over 3 million visitors visit Rocky Mountain National Park each year, most coming during the summer months. The summer temperatures range from 40 degrees above tree line to over 80 degrees at lower elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily. Duties Rocky Mountain National Park's student internship program provides a well-rounded experience in environmental interpretation. Student interns attend two weeks of naturalist training. Interns perform a full range of interpretive activities: staffing visitor centers and information stations; researching and presenting walks and talks; conducting roving interpretive assignments; and working on special projects. Qualifications Applicants should be college students pursuing a field of study in natural or physical science, communications, education, natural science interpretation, or recreation and resources management. Interns must be able to meet and communicate with groups of people, and must posses a valid drivers license. An interest or experience in interpretation or environmental education and natural history is desirable, but not required. Benefits Interns will participate in all training and orientation sessions. They will receive rent-fee housing, reimbursable expenses of $120 per week for the eleven-week assignment, and a uniform. Course credit may be available by making arrangement with your college. Housing consists of shared apartments with kitchens and baths with showers. Interns will need to bring bedding, towels and a small assortment of kitchen items. How to apply To apply, please send the following:
Applications must be mailed not later than March 1. Send application to: Rocky Mountain Nation Park Attn: Interpretive Internship Program Estes Park, CO 80517 For More information or information regarding internships during the off-season contact the intern coordinator at (970) 586-1226. |
