A large group of past and present NextGen rangers attend the first Next Generation Ranger mingling/networking event.
The Friends of Saguaro National Park (FOSNP) and Saguaro National Park joined together in early 2015 to establish a Next Generation Ranger Corps (Next Gen) program -- designed to enable young people interested in a career with the NPS to discover the agency and its different operational divisions, by providing college students an experiential, engaging, and supportive learning and working opportunity at Saguaro National Park.
The FOSNP NextGen internship program seeks to expand Saguaro National Park's outreach to underrepresented young people of southern Arizona; strengthen the Park's connection to local schools; provide targeted training, mentoring, and work experiences for qualified participants; achieve greater levels of engagement with underserved communities; provide competitive hourly wages to participants; achieve Park resource protection objectives; and create an ethic of conservation and resource stewardship. Applicants must be 30 years old or younger, or 35 or younger if a veteran.
Available Opportunities
Next Generation Ranger Raeshaun walking away while working at the Tucson Festival of Books.
NPS
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 spencer_burke@nps.gov
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.
Next Generation Ranger Lizbeth goes through a junior ranger booklet with a group of visitors.
NPS/JCamp
Interpretation Next Generation Ranger - POSITION IS FILLED
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
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
NextGen Ranger helps manage invasive species in the park such as Buffelgrass.
NPS Photo
Natural Resources NextGen - Invasive Species Specialist
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 candidates who love to work outside, under the desert sun! The interns would be part of our crew that protects saguaros by treating buffelgrass and other invasive plants with herbicides using backpack sprayers. You would work 4 10-hour days from July 1 through October 31. No previous specific skills needed, but should have an interest in plants, be a good team player, and have outdoor experience of working in the desert heat. During breaks from buffelgrass you will have a chance to work on plant monitoring and other resource projects.
To apply or request more information, send your resume or questions to us at SAGU_Invasive@nps.gov
NextGen Ranger assists with SAGU's Tortoise Monitoring program.
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 usPlease include “Desert Tortoise Technician” in the subject line.
Filled Positions
Do any of these positions look interesting? Keep an eye on this page for future opportunities!
Trail crew working to make the trails a better experience for everyone.
NPS Photo
Crew Leader of Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) - POSITION IS FILLED
Start date: mid May 2024
End date: August 2024
Pay: $21.25 per hour, 40 hours per week
Accepting applications from January until the first week of March, and final selections will be made within the last weeks of March and the first week of April.
Description:
Saguaro National Park is looking for two Next Generation Rangers (18-30 years old) to work with the Trails Youth Conservation Corps summer program. The YCC is an 8-week, co-ed youth employment program hosted in June and July. Program participants range from 16 to 18 years old, and there will be a total of 10 crew members. The YCC program focuses on conservation work, environmental education and outdoor recreation.
A commitment of 640 hours is mandatory. Work weeks require camping Monday-Friday. When working in the backcountry, you will have ten consecutive 8-hour days. Due to remote, rugged conditions and environmental expectations, you will need to be capable of carrying around 40lbs of supplies and sustenance in your pack. Three weeks of training will be provided upon hiring.
Primary Duties:
Trail maintenance such as clearing drains, brushing, and reworking trail tread
Working with Resource Management and Maintenance teams
Camping throughout the week, including in the backcountry
Providing logistical and safety support for day-to-day operations
Facilitating daily environmental education lessons to the crew
Critical Skills, Experience and Education:
Past experience in trails / conservation work
Camping and backpacking experience
Management skills
Ability to work well in a team environment
Ability to be communicative, adaptable / flexible
Experience educating and mentoring the youth, specifically with knowledge of the Sonoran Desert landscape
If interested in this position and have a resume to send, or if you have any inquiries, please contact Nik Bines
NPS Photo
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 jeff_gnann@nps.gov
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
NPS Photo
Facilities Management Assistant Intern - POSITION IS FILLED
Applications due December 15, 2023. Interested applicants should email their resume to paul_dudus@nps.gov
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
Work with Sunny the Saguaro at special events and community festivals.
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.
NextGen Ranger Intern leading a hiking club
Environmental Education and Youth Programs POSITION IS FILLED
Applications due November 10, 2023. Email resume or send an inquiry to SAGU_Education@nps.gov
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
