Internship Opportunities with Sleeping Bear Dunes
Winter Internship Positions
Winter Education and Interpretation Interns - 2026
The National Lakeshore is hiring winter education interns for the early 2026 winter season. Chosen candidates will gain firsthand experience working alongside rangers. Duties include:
- Leading snowshoe hikes and field trips with students ranging from 3rd-12th grade
- Presenting virtual and in-person curriculum-based lessons and activities on topics like ecology, ecosystem health, the National Park Service mission, and local history
- Operating a state-of-the-art mobile planetarium during visits to local schools
- Creating original content for the park’s social media platforms
- Having an epic time while building towards a career in outdoor education!
Winter internships are roughly three months long, with start dates in early January. Interns will typically work Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday, from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Compensation includes a stipend of $42 per day, free government housing, and a volunteer uniform.
Apply by August 25, 2025 to receive first consideration. In your application, please include:
- A resume
- A cover letter explaining what makes you a good candidate
- Contact information for at least two references
- At least one letter of recommendation
Email your application to slbe_education@nps.gov, or mail them to:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Education Team
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630
NPS Photo
Winter Natural Resources Interns - 2026
The National Lakeshore is currently seeking winter interns for the early 2026 winter season. Chosen candidates will gain firsthand experience working alongside Park Service staff on forest health projects. Main duties consist of:
- Meandering surveys and delimitation of treatment areas for hemlock woolly adelgid throughout the park.
- Identifying Great Lakes forests pests and tree species
- Navigating to sites on and off trail in forested areas
- Interpreting maps and using mapping software
- Operating a 4-wheel drive government vehicle to travel to survey sites
- Communication with park visitors
- Maintenance of equipment
- Physical exertion, such as long periods of standing/walking outdoors over rough terrain, and exposure to winter weather.
Interns will be provided training on pest and tree identification, navigation, map interpretation, software use, visitor communication, and equipment maintenance.
The internship lasts from approximately January 5 - April 17, with some flexibility on dates. Interns will typically work Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Compensation includes a stipend of $42 per day and free government housing. Interns are required to provide their own coats, snow/rain pants, and other cold weather gear. A stipend for purchasing boots is available. Snowshoes and shoe traction devices will also be available for interns to use when needed.
Interns are not required to be students, but academic credit may be arranged with the intern’s school if applicable. Research topics or independent study projects will be agreed upon by the intern, the college advisor, and the NPS supervisor.
Additional Requirements
Interns will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, including an FBI fingerprint check, prior to beginning their internship. Interns must possess a valid state driver’s license, pass an online defensive driving course and may be required to drive a government vehicle.
Apply by November 11, 2025 to receive first consideration. In your application, please include:
- A resume
- A cover letter explaining what makes you a good candidate
- Contact information for at least two references
- At least one letter of recommendation
Unofficial transcripts will be requested after initial materials are received.
Email your application to trent_lieber@nps.gov, or mail them to:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Forest Health
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630