Visitor Services Internship: August - October
Seney Natural History Association - Friends of the Refuge
For over 25 years, the Seney Natural History Association has sponsored interns at Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Many interns go on to have careers in natural resource related fields.
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was established in 1935 by Executive Order for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife. At nearly 96,000 acres, Seney National Wildlife Refuge is the 8th largest National Wildlife Refuge east of the Mississippi River and is diverse in both the number of ecosystem types present and the number of wildlife species using these habitats. Seney National Wildlife Refuge also administers island refuges in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, as well as the Kirtland’s Warbler Wildlife Management Area in the northern Lower Peninsula.
Visitor Services Internships
The Refuge offers numerous recreational opportunities including a seven mile Marshland Wildlife Drive, roads open to biking, a self guided interpretive hiking trail, paddling the Manistique River, bird watching, nature observation, hunting, fishing, photography, hiking and a visitor center.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
The duties assigned to the successful applicant would be wide-ranging and should prepare the applicant for a future career in visitor services or recreation. Assigned duties may include:
- opening and closing the Visitor Center;
- working closely with the bookstore manager including daily restocking efforts, bookstore management, software training and operation, organization of the stock, assisting with pricing, tagging and displaying items, developing designs for t-shirts, patches, pins and other souvenirs;
- developing and presenting programs for refuge visitors and school groups (e.g., nature walks, auto tours and environmental education programs);
- working on special interpretive projects (e.g., brochures, news articles, exhibits, signs, the website, podcasting, producing short videos about the refuge and its habitats/wildlife/plants etc.)
- checking and responding to phone messages;
- planning, organizing and conducting special events onsite (e.g., Children's Fishing Day, Youth in the Outdoors, etc.) and offsite (e.g. 906 Art Festival, community parades, Lumberjack Festival, etc.);
- staffing the Visitor Center information desk;
- assisting volunteers;
- cleaning/maintenance of the Visitor Center, exhibits, grounds, and vehicles;
- posting updates the official Facebook pages (Seney National Wildlife Refuge and the Marshland Bookstore);
- assisting with other responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Successful applicants should:
- be energetic and responsible;
- well organized;
- be able to work independently and in small groups with a variety of personalities;
- have public speaking and group management skills;
- have experience in leading programs and working with the public is desired;
- have excellent verbal and writing skills;
- be knowledgeable in natural history, biology, bird identification etc.;
- creative and artistic abilities such as photography, art, computer graphics, website experience, video production, etc. should be noted in your resume;
- have a valid driver's license (required);
- interns should be current students or recent graduates;
- be pursuing a degree in parks and recreation, environmental education, interpretation, or a related field; however other backgrounds may be accepted.
Benefits and Logistics
We are currently accepting applications for the summer of 2020:
- one 12 week internship is available from August to October, full time or part time, Saturday and Sunday with other days negotiable. Pay would be based on hours worked. This may be a good opportunity for a current student;
- housing, transportation to and from work the bunkhouse, and laundry facilities are provided;
- uniform shirts provided, but pants or shorts (shorts, jeans or pants must be in good condition) and closed toed shoes must be provided by the intern;
- the work week will include at least one weekend day and some evenings.
- The job announcement will remain open until the positions are filled.
To apply submit:
- a resume (up to two pages in length),
- cover letter,
- unofficial college transcripts,
- two professional references,
- your time period of availability
Send your application package to Sara Giles at Sara_Giles@fws.gov or mail it to the Visitor Services Manager, c/o Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd. Seney, MI 49883. If you have questions call (906) 586-9851 ext. 10.