U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex seeks an intern in the visitor services program. We are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes three sites:• Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR (BFJN)• Black River Unit• Grays Harbor NWR (GH)Staff are based at BFJN in Olympia. The Visitor Services Team includes:• Park Ranger• Education Specialist• AmeriCorps Educator BFJN• AmeriCorps Educator GH• Visitor Services ManagerThe Visitor Services Team provides information and interpretation to 370,000 visitors a year at BFJN and to additional visitors at GH, operating a visitor center open Wednesday through Sunday, and greeting visitors and selling passes at the Olympia office. The visitor center is staffed by volunteers. The volunteer program embraces over 130 active volunteers, providing monthly and annual training, daily support, and recognition. Staff and volunteers walk the trails to greet, orient, educate, and gently correct visitors; report maintenance and safety issues; and take photos for use in social media and other projects. Guided walks and interpretive talks are offered regularly; and special events are held multiple times a year. The VS Team also operates a lively and diverse education program serving around 9,000 students annually.

ABOUT THE JOB

Visitor Services• Roles: Park rangers, education specialists, outreach coordinators, volunteer coordinators.• Responsibilities: Engaging with the public, leading educational or interpretive programs, and ensuring visitor safety.• Qualifications: Strong interpersonal skills; experience in education, volunteer management, or public outreach is beneficial.The Visitor Services Intern is a learning position aimed at building skills in natural and cultural resource interpretation, volunteer management, and customer service. The intern will be paired with the Park Ranger and assist them in completing daily tasks. The intern will be an integral part of the VS Team and will assist in meeting refuge goals. As this is a position aimed at building knowledge and experience, training opportunities will be frequent.The intern must work a Wednesday-Sunday schedule. They are expected to pass a driving test in order to use government vehicles, and to pass a standard background check. Uniform items will be blue volunteer vest and hat (refuge supplied), worn with blue shirt and khaki pants (intern supplied). Shoes must be closed-toed. A nametag will be supplied.Daily activities will include:• Check-ins with staff and volunteers, including weekly staff meetings on Thursday mornings.• Assisting with managing the cash drawer for the visitor center, and interacting with the Friends of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the non-profit entity that operates the Nature Shop.• Troubleshooting the cash register as needed.• Selling America the Beautiful and refuge passes.• Providing information to the public in the visitor center and on the trails.• Researching topics of interest to build knowledge for sharing with the public.• Learning the skills of effective interpretation, used during visitor contacts, trail roving, group orientations, and guided walks. For a keenly interested intern, there is the option of creating an interpretive talk/program.• Greeting and assisting volunteers.• Responding to issues and emergencies as appropriate.• Assisting with special program preparation.• Assisting with volunteer training and management.Visitor Services Manager Julia Pinnix will be the primary supervisor, appraising work and ensuring training and participation objectives are met. Park Ranger Carole Holmson will be the primary co-worker and mentor, assigning tasks and sharing duties, and providing on-the-job training.The Service emphasizes conservation, public service, and teamwork across all roles. To learn more visit www.fws.gov.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engaging with the public, leading educational or interpretive programs, and ensuring visitor safety
• Assisting with managing the cash drawer for the visitor center
• Providing information to the public in the visitor center and on the trails
• Assisting with volunteer training and management

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must work weekends for the duration of the internship
• Ability to be outside for at least one hour in any weather
• Ability to operate a cash register
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Ability to pass FWS required trainings such as Defensive Driving

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY

o Must work weekends for the duration of the internship. Ability to be outside for at least one hour in any weather. Ability to operate a cash register. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally. A person with mobility impairment can be successful in this position—our trails are boardwalk or packed gravel, and largely flat; and our buildings are accessible to wheelchairs.o Required trainings to complete: Ability to pass FWS required trainings such as Defensive Driving.

TARGET MOCS

All MOCs

BENEFITS

• Training opportunities will be frequent
• Building skills in natural and cultural resource interpretation, volunteer management, and customer service

OTHER

To apply, send in your dates of availbaility, your resume and cover letter to Julia_Pinnix@fws.gov