Visitor and Resource Protection Members- Everglades National Park

EPIC • Homestead, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Visitor and Resource Protection Member to contribute to visitor safety and resource protection efforts alongside National Park staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date : Late May/Early June 2026 (or, as soon as possible) Estimated End Date: 43 weeks after start date a 43-week minimum commitment is required Local candidates encouraged to apply Location Details/Description Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL Everglades National Park protects the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States with more than 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, pine rocklands, hardwood forest, and an extensive mangrove estuary leading to Florida Bay and the Gulf of America. The park is home to many threatened and endangered species including the Florida panther, the American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee. The park also provides drinking water to millions of South Florida residents. The northern section of the park is accessible via Miami or Everglades City, while the southern section is accessible through Homestead. Fore more information about Everglades National Park, please visit the NPS website. Position Overview This position will provide a member the opportunity to gain experience in public safety outreach, visitor services, and cross-training with other National Park Service divisions. By the end of the internship, members will be able to provide a wide array of visitor services. Members have the opportunity to obtain certification to operate park watercraft as well as a basic first aid/CPR certification. The members will be adept at engaging a range of different groups and people and will offer a variety of opportunities for people to make meaningful connections to park resources and participate in park experiences.

Requirements

• Authorized to work in the United States (ACE does not sponsor visas).
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as outdoor recreation, emergency management, natural resource management, or related field.
• Knowledge areas may include: education, history, wilderness medicine, PSAR, or search and rescue.
• Ability and willingness to research, develop detailed outlines, present public programs, work in a team environment and provide excellent and professional customer service.
• Deep interest in South Florida cultural and natural history.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a proactive presence in high-use areas (trailheads, campsites, waterways) to engage visitors before emergencies occur.
• Provide trip planning guidance, weather updates, and hazard information (e.g., wildlife, heat, dehydration, navigation).
• Encourage responsible recreation through one-on-one visitor interactions in the field.
• Monitor visitor use areas for safety concerns, resource impacts, and changing environmental conditions.
• Develop and deliver visitor safety messaging through printed materials, social media, interpretive signage, and roving contacts.
• Incorporate Leave No Trace, environmental stewardship, and safe recreation principles into all visitor interactions.
• Participate in outreach events, youth engagement programs, and community safety initiatives.
• Support interpretive programming by integrating safety and awareness themes into talks, walks, and informal interpretation.
• Staff visitor centers, entrance stations, and information desks with a focus on safety, trip planning, and accurate park information.
• Maintain detailed records of visitor interactions and assist with incident tracking and safety reporting.
• Follow park Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and uphold professional standards in public service and resource protection.
• Collaborate with multiple park divisions (Interpretation, Resource Protection, Trails) to support unified visitor experience goals.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of safety materials based on field observations and visitor feedback.

Benefits

• Living Allowance : The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $680/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly .
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority : Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship.
• Housing : Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or Everglades National Park.
• Travel Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to (NTE) $500 in reimbursable funds for eligible pre-approved travel expenses.
• Provided Training/Orientation : Members will receive training in PSAR operations, CPR/AED/First Aid, visitor engagement, Motorboat Operation Certification Course, and safety communication. Cross-training opportunities with other NPS divisions may be provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern