Job Listing
🔗Individual Placement – Natural Resource at Big Hole National Battlefield
The Student Conservation Association
Location: Wisdom, MT
Schedule: March 9, 2026 – July 16, 2026
Living Accommodations: Housing will be provided on site. Shared housing may be required.
Position Summary:
The National Parks Service is currently recruiting one Student Conservation Association member to work within the Natural Resource and Facilities Programs at Big Hole National Battlefield. The individual placement will support Natural Resource program work through a field-oriented position with potential for some office work, as needed. Technician will have the opportunity to gain skills associated with conservation, and facilities management work and understanding the National Park Service mission. Work will be within the vegetation program focused on vegetation management, invasive species control, and restoration work and Facilities work performing simple and routine work involved in the custodial, maintenance and repair of grounds, exterior structures, building and related utilities, requiring the use of a variety of trade practices associated with occupations such as minor carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, and other related trades. Daily tasks will consist of assisting Natural Resource program staff, and facilities staff and will be based out of the Big Hole National Battlefield.
Technician will be based out of Big Hole NB Facilities Shop/Office. They will start each day at the duty location and may travel. Days will end at the duty station. Some overnight travel may occur to Bear Paw Battlefield, (Chinook, MT), Nez Perce National Historical Park, (Lapwai, ID) and Whitman Mission National Historic Site (Walla Walla, WA), as needed and if interested.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Vegetation Management 60% Work in a team or independently to treat invasive plants at Big Hole NB.Survey, identify, map exotic vegetation. Treat exotic vegetation through hand-pulling, cutting, or herbicide application. Document treatments and update files and GIS layers Maintain equipment. Work in a team to monitor vegetation and specific plant species (camas, penstemon, Spalding’s catchfly) Survey, identify, map native vegetation. Lemhi penstemon monitoring at Big Hole National Battlefield site. Document and update files Restoration Spread native seed mixes in disturbed areas. Seed collection Plant seedlings in disturbed areas Preparing information (print and/or oral) for sharing with public and co-workers about project work at Nez Perce National Historical Park Document resource findings/activities/Data Entry Facilities Duties and Responsibilities 30% Performs simple and routine maintenance and repair of grounds, exterior structures, buildings, equipment, and related utilities. Assists higher graded maintenance workers or tradesmen in the performance of their work. Performs minor carpentry repairs using simple measures and hand tools on such tasks as replacing broken planks on picnic tables; broken windows using precut stock; minor adjustments or replaces hinges, latches, and catches. Performs minor painting using brush and roller according to specific instructions on project. Performs minor plumbing repairs such as tightening or replacing in-kind fittings and fixtures which do not require custom fitting or solder joints; replaces faucet washers; unplugs drains using a plunger; replaces liquid petroleum gas bottles. Receives, unloads and processes incoming shipments according to established procedures. Reports discrepancies and damage to others responsible for such items. Performs routine maintenance on picnic area sites and trails using hand tools to re-grade and reset barriers to restore areas to original appearances. Collects trash. Operates a light truck to pick up supplies and to transport materials to and from work sites while assisting on project work. Cleans and services vault toilets, restrooms, and other picnic area or visitor facilities. Makes minor repairs as needed and refers problems to higher graded workers. Operates equipment to load and unload supplies and light equipment not requiring special rigging.
Marginal Duties
Natural Resource Duties and Responsibilities (10%): General Resource Management Work in a team or independently to aid in all resource management activities at Big Hole NB. Assist with Natural Resource program projects and other programs as needed such as the Cultural Resources, Interpretation, and Facilities programs.
Compensation:
$1,100- one time RT travel allowance
$800 – weekly living allowance
Duty Related Travel Budget of $2,500 (Receipts required for reimbursement) –
Housing on site provided
All Weather Uniform Package
Personal Program Advisor
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information Required
Additional Benefits: AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
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.
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.