Environment for the Americas

Start/End Dates: May 11, 2026 - July 31, 2026
Compensation: $640 per week stipend; housing provided and assistance with round-trip travel to the site and purchase of field supplies
Application Due: February 1, 2026

Environment for the Americas seeks to engage young professionals in natural resource careers. For the Let's Go Birding Internship Program, we also welcome applicants with experience managing visual, hearing, or mobility challenges, or who are neurodivergent.

To be eligible for the position, you must be:

• a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

• Between ages 18 and 30, or up to age 35 if a veteran.
  
• Be willing to undergo a background check upon hiring.
• Available for on-site work.
• Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

*A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description: 

Let’s Go Birding is a program funded by the National Park Service (NPS) and administered by Environment for the Americas in partnership with Birdability. Our goal is to improve accessibility  in birding and bird conservation for individuals with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illnesses, neurodivergence, and hearing impairments. The intern will focus on implementing and leading community outreach programs focused on birds. 

Responsibilities:

• Regularly facilitate birding and bird education programs.

• Review park facilities and programming to identify accessible programming opportunities.

• Develop activities tailored to specific accessibility challenges.

• Establish or build upon bird programs.

• Coordinate and host World Migratory Bird Day activities.

• Work with YMCA of the Rockies to conduct outreach programs, both onsite and offsite, at their location (Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, CO).

• Participate in developmental opportunities, such as working at the visitor center desk, roving, shadowing other divisions, and cross-training/learning. 

• Meet deadlines for Environment for the Americas program requirements.

Qualifications:

• Passion for wildlife conservation.

• Interest in birds, conservation, and environmental education and interpretation.

• Prior experience with training or addressing accessibility challenges is a plus.

• Knowledge of birds and birding, including the use of binoculars, is desirable.

• Strong commitment to communication and learning.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and abilities. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

About This site: 

The Colorado River District is open year-round and is located on the west side of the park, near the town of Grand Lake, CO (approximately 4 miles away). Elevation is 8,700 feet; Summer temperatures range from 40-80° F. The office setting is located in the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Once per week, the intern will staff the Alpine Visitor Center, located at 11,796 feet. 

Grand Lake, CO has a post office, restaurants, churches, a medical clinic, a recreation center, and a small grocery store. Granby, CO, located 20 miles away, has more services, including a medical center/hospital and a larger grocery store. There is good cell service (all carriers).

Housing

Housing is located on-site, about a five-minute walk from the visitor center. Housing is ADA accessible, with accessible ramps, entryways, and restrooms. Cell service is good for all carriers. Park housing is furnished with cookware provided. 

There is no shuttle or public transportation on the West Side, so a personal vehicle is essential. 

Application Process

We are committed to providing a fully accessible application process. If you require accommodations during the application, interview, or selection process, please contact accessiblebirding@environmentamericas.org to schedule an interview via voice or video relay. Alternative application materials, such as video applications or other preferred formats, are welcome.

Support and Accommodations

We understand that individuals with disabilities have diverse access needs. We are committed to offering:

• Flexible work arrangements

• Necessary accommodations to help you perform your tasks effectively and comfortably.
  We aim to create an inclusive and supportive work environment tailored to your needs.

Interns in this program will receive 480 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 employment and 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.