Saguaro National Park Looking for Indigenous Employees

Indigenous Interpretation Next Generation Ranger

Saguaro National Park is seeking Indigenous adults with a passion for learning and teaching about the rich ecosystems and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert.

Dates: Starting spring/summer 2024 with flexible term of service.
Salary: $17.54 – 19.55 per hour
Schedule: 40 hours/week, with some flexibility. May be required to work weekends and holidays.
Benefits: Park housing may be provided. Will receive Public Land Corps preferential hiring authority after service.
Duty Station: Red Hills Visitor Center, Tucson Mountain District (west), Saguaro National Park

For more information and to apply, please email resume and cover letter to: Spencer Burke at [email protected]

Applications open until filled.

Primary Duties:

• Next Generation Ranger interns will work as part of Saguaro National Park’s interpretation, education, and outreach team at the Red Hills Visitor Center, providing orientation and information to park visitors.
• Work closely with park staff and Tribal community members to expand cultural interpretation, help run the park‘s cultural demonstration program, and participate in exhibit design and collaboration meetings.
• Research, develop, and present guided interpretive programs and hikes
• Assist with park social media, website, brochures, and exhibits
• Rove park trails

Requirements:

• Interest in National Park Service interpretation and working with Indigenous audiences.
• 18-35 years old
• Enrolled member of one of Saguaro’s associated tribes
• Must complete federal background check and have a valid driver’s license.
• O’odham, Yoeme, or other indigenous language skills preferred.

Interpretation Next Generation Ranger

Dates: Summer 2024 – Summer 2025 (with possibility of extension for a 2nd year)
Salary: $17.54 – 19.55 per hour
Schedule: 40 hours/week, with some flexibility. May be required to work weekends and holidays.
Duty Station: Tucson Mountain District (west), Saguaro National Park

To apply, please email resume and cover letter to: Spencer Burke
For more information, please email: Friends of Saguaro
Applications open until filled.

Saguaro National Park is seeking an enthusiastic person who loves learning and teaching about the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. This paid one-year internship is designed for young people (18-30) from the Tucson area. This position will provide hands-on experience in National Park Service interpretation, opportunities to work with other park operations, and Public Land Corps hiring eligibility.

Primary Duties:

• Work as part of Saguaro National Park’s interpretation, education, and outreach team
• Provide information to park visitors
• Research, develop, and present guided walks and talks
• Assist with park social media, website, brochures, and exhibits
• Rove park trails

Requirements:

• Candidates must be between the ages of 18-30 Familiarity with the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, Saguaro National Park, and Tucson attractions
• Interest in Public Lands and Nationals Park Service careers
• Completed at least college-degree seeking program
• Valid driver’s license
• Must complete federal background check process
• Spanish, O’odham, and Yaqui/Yoeme language skill preferred

Natural Resources NextGen – Desert Tortoise Monitoring

Start date: July 1st, 2024
End date: October 31st, 2024

Pay: $17.54/hour, Full-time at 40 hours per week.

Accepting applicants until May 31st (or when position is filled).

Description:

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a Desert Tortoise Tech at Saguaro National Park. You will play a crucial role in studying and conserving the iconic desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) within the park’s unique Sonoran Desert ecosystem. Responsibilities include:

• Conduct fieldwork focused on desert tortoise research, including population surveys, habitat assessments, and monitoring.
• Collaborate with biologists, ecologists, and other researchers to collect data on tortoise behavior, distribution, and health.
• Track tortoise movements, nesting sites, and burrows.
• Hike off-trail in the desert environment while carrying equipment (up to 20 lbs) on a regular basis.
• Endure extreme conditions during the summer season, including high temperatures and arid environments.

Qualifications:

• Experience in field research, especially with reptiles or desert ecosystems.
• Physical fitness and ability to hike in rugged terrain.
• Strong observational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Passion for conservation and a desire to contribute to the protection of desert wildlife.
• Familiarity with tortoise behavior and ecology is a plus.

To apply or request more information, please submit resume, cover letter, and references to: e-mail us Please include “Desert Tortoise Technician” in the subject line.

Trails Intern – POSITION IS FILLED

Applications will remain open until the position is filled. Interested applicants should email their resume and any inquiries to Saguaro’s Trail Supervisor at [email protected]

Start date: December 2023
End date: TBD

Pay: $21.25/hr (WG-05 equivalent); 80 hrs/week

Description:
We are looking to hire a Next Generation Ranger intern onto one of our winter seasonal trail crews. This position requires strenuous effort in moving heavy materials to and around the jobsite. Candidate must be able to hike steep trails in all weather conditions transporting tools and personal gear in difficult terrain. Depending on the project, job tasks may include:

• Assisting with rehabilitating and maintaining trail-related structures such as log cribbing, steps, water bars, culverts, stone retaining walls and other tread structures
• Tread improvement, outsloping, berm busting, and rock removal
• Brushing back overgrown vegetation and cleaning drains
• Using a variety of hand tools such as shovels, picks, rock bars, and various digging tools

Facilities Management Assistant Intern – POSITION IS FILLED

Applications due December 15, 2023. Interested applicants should email their resume to [email protected]

We are looking to fill two positions with our maintenance team. One intern will work in the Tucson Mountain District (west), and the other will work in the Rincon Mountain District (east). These interns will get a hands-on overview of all areas of modern Facilities Management & Maintenance in the National Park Service.

Start date: January 2024
Pay: $17.54/hour, 40 hours/week

Description of Duties:

The selected NextGen interns will gain knowledge and experience in trade skills such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, asset inventory and management, performing and documenting condition assessments on roads, buildings, and trails. Interns will also assist with contract surveillance, asset management, labor tracking database and software. They will also be given opportunities for additional cross-training and professional training opportunities in all areas of park managment.

Digital Interpretation – POSITION IS FILLED

Applications due August 19, 2022, email resume or inquiry to Perri Spreiser

Start Date: August 29, 2022
End Date: August 25, 2023

Salary: $16.13+ per hour
Schedule: 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., 40 hours per week. The days of the week worked are flexible and we can accommodate schedule variations as they arise.
Duty Station: Saguaro National Park East – Rincon Mountain Visitor Center

Primary Duties:

• Lead park efforts to establish an enriching digital presence for Saguaro National Park to include:
  • The park website (nps.gov/sagu)
  • NPS Mobile App
  • Social media
• Perform digital asset management on extensive collection of images, audio, and video files
• Produce interpretive digital products that support operational needs in interpretation, outreach, and education
• Join interpretive teammates in shared activities such as visitor center operations, outreach events, and public programming

Critical Skills, Experience, and Education:

• Have completed at least two years of a college degree seeking program
• Ability to safely drive a wide range of vehicles; a valid driver’s license is required
• Ability to manage own tasks and duties independently
• Must complete federal background check process
• Must be 18-30 years old
• Spanish, O’odham, or Yoeme language skills a plus

Community Outreach Intern – POSITION IS FILLED

Work Dates: ongoing
pay: $16.13 / hr, 20+ hours per week

The Community Engagment and Outreach Intern will work to strengthen the Park’s connection to the Tucson community through our associations with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, schools and other stakeholders.

Description of Duties:
Duties include assisting in implementing strategic communication plans, including the use of social media, attending community festivals, planning family program events in the park and special events, caretaking of Sunny the Saguaro, and supporting internal communication for park staff and volunteers.

Spanish language, both written and verbal, is preferred.

Environmental Education and Youth Programs POSITION IS FILLED

Applications due November 10, 2023. Email resume or send an inquiry to [email protected]

Start Date: January 2, 2024
End Date: May 17, 2025

Salary: $17.54-19.55 per hour
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (with some flexibility!)
Duty Station: Both districts of Saguaro National Park

Primary Duties:

• Prepare and facilitate curriculum-based programs in the park, in classroom, and virtually to diverse audiences
• Design and create original interpretive activities, props, visual aids, games, and promotional materials. May include digital graphic design work as well as crafting 3-dimensional objects.
• Prepare and facilitate non-curriculum-based events and activities such as camps, hiking club family picnics and camp outs, Cactus Ranger outtings, family-friendly interpretive programs, evening programs, offsite outreach events
• Assist in strengthening the park’s relationship with local communities and developing a mutually beneficial relationship
• Join interpretive teammates in shared activities such as visitor center operations, outreach events, and public programming

Critical Skills, Experience, and Education:

• Demonstrated ability working with youth of all ages
• Experience in and/or willingness to hike on/off trail in rugged terrain in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to provide friendly customer service and public communication
• Have completed at least two years of a college degree seeking program; preferably in education, communication, sciences, recreation or related fields
• Ability to safely drive a wide range of vehicles; a valid driver’s license is required
• Ability to manage own tasks and duties independently
• Must complete federal background check process
• Must be 18-30 years old
• Spanish language skills a plus
• O’odham or Yoeme language skills a plus

Benefits:

• Diverse work experience in interpretation
• Professional development and training opportunities (e.g. Wilderness First Aid, curriculum-development, professional conferences, etc.)
• Cross-training with all park divisions including resource management, trails, law enforcement, etc.
• Public Lands Corps hiring authority eligible once 640 hour minimum has been met