YCC Logisitics and Media Intern

Position:         Youth Conservation Corps – Logistics and Media Intern

Location:         Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Reports To:     Chief Human Resources Officer

Status:             Seasonal / Full-time / Non-Exempt

Compensation: $14.50 hourly

Dates:              May 19, 2024 – August 23, 2024 (14-week term, dates flexible)

**Resume and Cover Letter must be submitted with application to be considered.**

Summary Description:

Yellowstone Forever (YF) is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. YF connects people to Yellowstone through outstanding visitor experiences and educational programs and translates those experiences into lifelong support of the park and philanthropic investment in its future. Our educational programming and products help people enhance their understanding and appreciation of the wildlife, natural wonders, and cultural history of the park. YF’s operations include Park Stores in and around Yellowstone; the Yellowstone Forever Institute, which offers in-depth educational programing for people of all ages; and a supporter program which raises funds for priority park projects.

Yellowstone Forever, the park’s nonprofit education and philanthropic partner, in partnership with Yellowstone National Park, is seeking an intern to work with the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps program as part of the 2024 summer season. During this 14-week term this position will participate in a wide variety of projects while learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.

The Youth Conservation Corps Logistics and Media Intern assists National Park Service staff with completing important park work by assisting with deferred maintenance projects, education lessons, and recreation opportunities for teen-aged participants. One main project is to take, collect, and organize photos and create a multi-media presentation for two end of session ceremonies. Serving with the YCC program in Yellowstone requires a good deal of physical exertion while assisting with work projects and hiking in the backcountry.

The YCC program is a work-based learning, leadership, and outdoor recreation program in Yellowstone National Park. The main goal of the program is to encourage youth, ages 15-18, to work, play, learn, and grow in one of the world’s greatest natural landscapes. The YCC program emphasizes work ethics, introduces youth to the spectrum of NPS career opportunities, supports resource education, and promotes recreational activities that encourage youth to build lifelong healthy habits.

This position will have opportunities to explore and learn about Yellowstone National Park resources and the surrounding region; participate and teach education lessons; act as a liaison to enrollees and set a positive example for all; lead by actions, attitude, and enthusiasm; and nurture and encourage participants to excel within the boundaries of the program.

The intern will be exposed to many conservation and environmental projects that are regularly addressed by park managers; be provided with an understanding of the NPS mission and how their work helps achieve that mission; and be introduced to many career fields. The projects motivate youth participants to become involved in natural, cultural, and/or historical resource protection of their communities and beyond. Youth gain “real-world” experience working with NPS professionals in a park setting.

Primary Responsibilities:

Composition of the position is anticipated to be:

25% - take, collect, and organize photos and then create multi-media presentations and engage in social networking for the program

10% - assisting Crew Leaders on NPS-prioritized Yellowstone work projects

40% - assisting weekend staff with recreation, education activities, and career development

25% - other program support, projects, and administrative duties

• Deferred maintenance projects that the members might contribute to include:
  • trail maintenance;
  • removing trees and brush from roadways, near buildings, and in housing areas;
  • painting and staining: signs, trash cans, picnic tables, bridges, boat docks, and buildings;
  • replacing bumper logs in parking lots;
  • repairing and building fences;
  • campground and picnic area rehab work;
  • removing social trails;
  • collecting native seed for re-vegetation projects.

• Physical Demands: The work requires regular physical exertion such as walking or climbing over wet, rough, uneven and/or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, or reaching; in some situations, the work may require physical exertion to prepare soil for planting and planting activities, and camp overnight in backcountry locations. May be required to hike several miles in a day.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Must be able to move up to 50 pounds. Heavy items, such as equipment packs weighing up to 50 pounds, may be moved and carried on an occasional basis.
• Environmental: The work is performed primarily in the field. The work performed in the field involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects and wild animals
• Travel: Occasional overnight travel to other areas of the park may occur. A valid drivers license is required.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Skill in operating motorized vehicles and maintaining a valid state driver’s license is required for this position in order to drive government vehicles.
• Ability to walk or climb over wet, rough, uneven and/or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, or reaching.
• Ability to hike several miles in one day.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to safely use hand tools.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with YCC teen enrollees and YCC staff, and to establish and maintain constructive relationships with them.

Housing:

Housing will be provided in the park in the YCC dorm in a shared room with other YCC staff and a shared bathroom down the hall with other YCC participants. Living in YCC dorm housing is required of this position.

Scheduling:

Length of service days will typically be 8 hours but might be as long as 12 on some days, with breaks, because of evening programming for youth participants.  An average of 40 hours per week will be anticipated.  Most days will begin at 8 am.  The varied schedule will include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Compensation:

This is a seasonal, full-time, non-exempt position, which will be based in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Travel between the offices and throughout the park may be required. Pay rate is $14.50 per hour, with overtime at time and a half. Benefits of this position include knowing that your efforts directly benefit Yellowstone National Park and having the opportunity to work in one of the world’s premiere wilderness areas.

Yellowstone Forever is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, political beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.