Community Engaged Intern with National Park Service

Community Engaged Intern with National Park Service

Organization:

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant [more info]

Salary:

$18.00 Duties and

Responsibilities:

The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG), in cooperation with the National Park Service's (NPS) Great Lakes Research and Education Center, in Porter, Indiana, is offering a Community Engaged Internship (CEI) opportunity to support conservation efforts through science communication for NPS. The CEI will collaborate directly with staff at the Great Lakes Research and Education Center to develop educational outreach programs and materials related to science in Great Lakes Network Parks. A key focus of this internship will be on community science programs at Indiana Dunes National Park. The intern will assist in developing a strategy to engage visitors in community science using the iNaturalist platform. They will evaluate past and current projects to help craft a new community science strategy. Additionally, they will design and pilot innovative ideas for monitoring bees, birds, monarchs, and flowers. They will also help create marketing tools to promote these new initiatives. This experience is in-person and requires the intern to be at the National Park for 3-5 days a week. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that applicants have reliable transportation and live within reasonable commuting distance to the national park. Eligible students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree at a 2- or 4-year college or university at the time of application. The intern will be paid $18.00 per hour, working a minimum of 32 hours per week and up to 40 hours for 10 weeks, starting no later than June 1, 2026, and ending no earlier than August 7, 2026. CEI intern will be hired through Purdue University for the purpose of this internship.

Qualifications:

Strong oral and written communication skills Ability and interest to communicate and engage with visitors of all ages and backgrounds Experience using iNaturalist is preferred but not required. Knowledge or strong interest in natural resources, resource management, Indiana Dunes, the Great Lakes, environmental science, environmental education, science communication Experience and interest in science communication, including social media (Facebook, Instagram, media Reels) Desire to work outside/comfortable working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, including activities in the water like swimming and kayaking Bilingual in Spanish and English is helpful. The main language of materials will be English; however, being able to produce materials and/or communicate with visitors in Spanish would be welcomed. Reliable personal transportation is required.to get to, and move about, the park. Indiana Dunes has many individual beaches and units. The intern must be able to use their own transportation to move around the park as needed.

Teen Opportunity:

No How to

Apply:

Vist the IISG website at: https://iiseagrant.org/careers/community-engaged-internship/

Address:

Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter, Indiana

Categories:

Environmental/Biological Science, Parks/Outdoor Recreation

Type:

Paid Internship

Timeframe:

Summer

Contact:

Angela Archer (

Posted:

3/26/26)