Start/End Dates: May 25, 2026 - August 10th, 2026 (11 weeks)
Compensation: $688 per week
Medical Insurance: Not Provided
Application Due: March 14th, 2026
The Latino Heritage Internship Program seeks to engage young professionals in natural resource and cultural heritage careers. Applicants must meet the following additional requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a veteran
- Be willing to undergo a background check upon hiring
- Have a valid driver's license and a good driving record
Note: A personal vehicle is required for this position.
Position Description
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument seeks a motivated intern to join its Future Leaders of Tomorrow Internship Program as a Visitor Education Intern. This role supports the Interpretation and Visitor Services Division in creating engaging interpretive programs, developing youth engagement strategies, and strengthening community connections.
Working closely with the Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services-and in collaboration with the park's Community Volunteer Ambassador Intern-the intern will help enhance the Junior Ranger Program, contribute to major park events such as World Migratory Bird Day and Latino Conservation Week, and assist in the development of Dark Sky Jr. Ranger activities. The intern will also help expand the park's capacity to engage local youth by developing a Youth Engagement Road Map to guide future internship and employment pipelines.
This internship provides firsthand experience in interpretation, education, volunteer engagement, and youth outreach, while contributing to a dynamic and innovative team committed to building the next generation of park stewards.
Responsibilities
- Develop hands-on interpretive and educational programs for the Junior Ranger Program, World Migratory Bird Day, and Latino Conservation Week.
- Create and implement strategies to increase youth engagement with the park, working alongside the Community Volunteer Ambassador Intern.
- Support park rangers during Dark Sky programs by designing relevant Junior Ranger activities.
- Assist with community engagement events such as the Rail Yards Market in Albuquerque.
- Work collaboratively with the Interpretation and Visitor Services Division and other park staff, sharing ideas that enhance park operations and visitor services.
- Develop a small portfolio of program and activity templates to strengthen existing interpretive offerings.
- Create a Youth Engagement Road Map outlining strategic steps the park can take to improve youth outreach, engagement, and employment pipelines.
- Build partnerships across park divisions and local organizations to support educational and interpretive programming.
Qualifications
- High school diploma required.
- Valid driver's license and ability to drive long distances.
- Ability to pass a federal background check.
- Professional, positive, and enthusiastic attitude when representing the park.
- Resourceful, adaptable, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Willingness to learn, step outside comfort zones, and grow professionally.
- Strong self-awareness, open-mindedness, and comfort engaging with diverse viewpoints.
- Innovative thinker with creative problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
- Comfortable engaging youth and visitors of various ages and backgrounds.
Interns in this program will receive 640 hours towards Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. See below on information about:
Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.
EEO Statement
Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employmentand prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
