Job Listing
🔗NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Build Up Facility Management Intern – AmeriCorps
Website Stewards Individual Placements - Conservation Legacy
Purpose:
Stewards Individual Placements (STE) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.
The Facilities Management Intern will be an integral part of the National Park Service Midwest Regional Office. This internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in facility operations, maintenance coordination, and sustainable practices while supporting park operations remotely. The intern will work from the central regional office, leveraging digital communication tools to assist in the servicing of 65 parks around the Midwest Region. This position offers a unique blend of administrative, technical, and project-oriented tasks that bridge field operations with behind-the-scenes support.
Description of Duties:
· Digital Monitoring: Use remote monitoring tools to track maintenance requests and ensure facility systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing) across parks are functioning within operational standards.
· Virtual Coordination: Engage in regular video or phone conferences with on-site park facility managers and external vendors to expedite solutions for maintenance issues.
· Documentation: Maintain digital logs, work orders, and service reports by using facility management software and spreadsheet tools to document maintenance activities and track project progress.
Project Support:
· Data Collection and Analysis: Compile, analyze, and report on data from facility audits or energy usage statistics, helping the team make data-driven decisions for improvements and cost savings.
· Sustainability Initiatives: Research and propose best practices for energy efficiency and sustainable facility management that align with National Park Service conservation goals.
· Project Coordination: Assist in preparing project proposals, timelines, and status updates for facility renovations and upgrades.
Communication and Collaboration:
· Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with park managers, internal teams, and vendors using digital collaboration tools (e.g., email, video conferences, instant messaging) to ensure clear communication regarding priorities and schedules.
· Reporting: Prepare periodic performance and maintenance reports, contributing to strategic planning sessions with the regional leadership team.
Key Responsibilities:
Remote Operational Support:
· Assist in monitoring and coordinating maintenance needs for park facilities across the region through digital systems and remote communications.
· Respond to maintenance requests and work with on-site park teams to troubleshoot issues virtually.
Project Coordination:
· Support project managers in planning and executing facility upgrades, renovations, and energy efficiency projects remotely.
· Compile and analyze data for projects, preparing summaries and recommendations for improvements tailored to park-specific challenges.
Documentation and Reporting:
· Conduct virtual facility audits and maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, energy usage, and system performance.
· Prepare digital reports and presentations that showcase facility performance metrics, remote intervention outcomes, and recommended strategies for long-term sustainability.
Vendor and Stakeholder Communication:
· Coordinate with external vendors and contractors by scheduling virtual meetings, obtaining cost estimates, and ensuring adherence to the National Park Service’s quality standards.
· Serve as a liaison between the regional office and park managers, ensuring clear communication about facility needs and upcoming projects.
Research and Sustainability Initiatives:
· Investigate emerging trends in remote facility management and sustainability best practices that can be applied to historical and natural resource settings.
· Provide input on innovative technologies and strategies that can streamline maintenance operations and improve energy efficiency across park facilities.
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.