Environment for the Americas

Start/End Dates: January 19, 2027 - October 18, 2027 (39 weeks)

Compensation: $21/hour, 40 hours per week, plus $1,000 for USFWS training travel opportunities and a $200 gear stipend. Housing and a housing stipend are not provided.

Application Due: November 10, 2026

Environment for the Americas, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, seeks to engage young professionals in natural resource careers. To participate, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident

• Be between the ages of 18—30 (35 if a veteran)

• Undergo a background check if selected

• Have a valid driver's license and good driving record to operate a government vehicle

* A personal vehicle is recommended for this position. A personal vehicle is not required for work-related responsibilities but may be helpful for commuting between off-site housing and the field office(s).

Position Description:

If you would enjoy working in a beautiful setting teeming with birds, deer, frogs, dragonflies and other wildlife the Great Lakes Visitor Engagement and Environmental Education Internship may be just for you! This position will work cooperatively with refuge staff and a diversity of partners and interns to help support environmental education, interpretation, and community and cultural engagement programs that align with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative goals. The position includes a mix of field and office work and is designed to provide broad experience applicable to future conservation-related careers. 

Responsibilities:

• Work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and local educators, volunteers, and partners to deliver community-based education and outreach programming related to Great Lakes ecosystems

• Assist with community engagement through on-site volunteer activities and off-site outreach events

• Plan and deliver interpretive programs, including Junior Ranger activities both on- and off-site

• Assist with planning and leading educational programming related to wildlife, habitat conservation, and Great Lakes ecosystems for K-12 students and youth both on- and off-site

• Collaborate with staff and partners to develop educational displays, lesson plans, interpretive materials, and outreach resources relevant to Great Lakes ecosystems

• Assist staff and partners with habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and volunteer events including prairie seed collection, bee surveys, and bat monitoring

• Participate in wildlife, habitat, and visitor services training and monitoring projects as opportunities are available 
  
  

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required; a bachelor's degree or relevant college-level coursework is preferred

• Relevant studies may include natural resources, conservation, wildlife biology, parks and recreation, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may also be considered

• Experience in education, instruction, outreach, or a similar area, and a strong interest in natural resource conservation

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work independently

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Comfort working both indoors and outdoors, and ability to work a flexible schedule
  
  

About the site:

Leopold Wetland Management District is managed as part of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes multiple national wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas across eastern Wisconsin. 

The primary work location is in Mayville, Wisconsin, with a secondary work site located at the USFWS Ecological Services Field Office in Madison, Wisconsin.

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.

This 39-week position is expected to provide more than the 640 hours of qualifying service required for Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority, subject to successful completion of the applicable eligibility and service requirements.

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.