What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visitor Services Individual placement at Seney National Wildlife Refuge position at Student Conservation Association, Inc?
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Services
Position Dates: 5/26/2025 - 8/23/2025 =13 weeks
About us:
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.
Position Description:
Visitors Services Intern
The internship program at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge offers participants hands-on experience in visitor services, interpretation, and environmental education. Interns will engage with visitors, providing information and enhancing their understanding of the refuge's lands, natural history, and conservation efforts. They will also participate in planning and hosting special events, conducting interpretive and environmental education programs, and assisting with the operation of a visitor center and habitat projects. The goal is to foster a strong connection between the community and the refuge while developing interns' skills in public speaking, plant and wildlife identification, and hands-on project management. Through training sessions and collaborative opportunities, interns will gain valuable insights into the operations of a National Wildlife Refuge.
Member Key Duties and Responsibilities
Front Desk: Opening and closing the visitor center, greeting visitors, assisting volunteers, answering questions, and maintaining seasonal exhibits.
Outreach and Programming: Planning and hosting events, staffing booths, conducting interpretive and/or educational programs.
Maintenance: Assisting with grounds maintenance, restocking brochure racks, checking on the picnic areas, and general facility cleaning and upkeep.
Study: Learning to identify local plants and animals, along with studying historical and current management practices at the refuge.
Member Marginal Duties
Social Media: Creating social media posts.
Citizen Science: Participate in citizen science using iNaturalist and eBird.
Plover Monitoring: The refuge monitors the endangered piping plovers at our Whitefish Point Unit. When the plover monitor is taking a day off, the intern may be asked to monitor the plovers at the point.
Other duties as assigned based on refuge needs.
Member Required Qualifications
Willingness to learn and engage with the public.
Willingness to learn about local plants and wildlife.
Willingness or ability to speak in front of large groups.
Member Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience in customer service or with environmental education.
Skills in social media content creation.
Member Benefits
- Housing provided
Interns are housed on-site in housing units alongside other interns and summer staff. There are three houses, each with three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and communal areas. Each house is furnished with beds, basic furniture, appliances, and kitchenware; however, there is no television or internet access unless interns collectively decide to purchase it themselves.
- Weekly Living Allowance $620.00 per week
- Week-long orientation, expenses paid
- Assigned U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mentor
- Travel allowance to and from internship site $1000.00
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.
Salary : $620
