Individual Placement- Outreach and Ranger Assistance at Student Conservation Association

Pleasant Valley Township, Iowa, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

03 Jun, 26

Salary

1000.0

Posted On

05 Mar, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Public Interaction, Grounds Maintenance, Facility Cleaning, Forest Inventory, Data Collection, Public Education, Guided Tours, Volunteer Support, Boundary Documentation, Safety Programs, Invasive Species Control, Small Engine Operation, Public Speaking, Communication Skills

Industry

Environmental Services

Description

Position Summary The Rock Island District’s Mississippi River Project invites applications for its Student Conservation Association (SCA) Internship program. The Project is a large-scale, multipurpose project spanning 314 miles of the Upper Mississippi River from Guttenberg, Iowa, to Saverton, Missouri. Its core mission balances the needs of a vital commercial navigation channel with robust environmental stewardship and public recreation programs. The office is in Pleasant Vally, Iowa and adjacent the Quad Cities metro area, a vibrant bi-state region with a population of nearly 400,000 people. Interns will serve as active team members supporting the Recreation and Environmental Stewardship missions, providing outreach and ranger assistance. Location Pleasant Valley, IA Schedule May 11, 2026 - August 28, 2026 Key Duties and Responsibilities Interns will support multiple aspects of Natural Resources Management at the Project. The duties may include • Recreation & Visitor Services: Interacting with the public within recreation areas, performing light grounds maintenance, and cleaning of park facilities to ensure a positive visitor experience. • Environmental Stewardship: Aiding activities such as conducting forest inventories, monitoring forest management sites, maintaining tree plantings, and GPS data collection. • Public Education & Outreach: Assisting staff at the Mississippi River Visitor Center, and leading guided tours of the dam. Housing is not provided at the site for this position. Rather a monthly housing allowance is provided to enable the members to secure housing in the local area. Marginal Duties • Supporting volunteers • Boundary line walking, documentation of boundary encroachments • Presenting water safety programs • Controlling invasive species Required Qualifications • U.S. Citizenship • Must be 18 years of age; • Must possess and maintain valid driver’s license; • Must wear required attire by SCA attire while on duty; Preferred Qualifications • Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Biology, Parks and Recreation, or a related field. • Experience with small engine machine operations i.e. string trimmers, lawn mowers, UTVs • Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks. • Public speaking and communication skills. Hours 40 per week Living Accommodations Housing is not provided. Compensation Living Allowance - $400/week; Commuting Allowance - $75/week; Housing Allowance - $1,000/month; To/From site travel expense reimbursement - $650* All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. *SCA positions with the US Army Corps of Engineers will receive a To/From Site travel reimbursement that reflects the actual roundtrip travel costs from their 'home' to the site. The reimbursement amount is based upon total distance (mileage) travelled and current federal per diem rates. Members are required to submit an expense report to SCA with documented round-trip travel costs for reimbursement. The requested reimbursement amount is capped at $650. Personal Vehicle Information Recommended Additional Benefits AmeriCorps: Not Eligible Equal Opportunity Statement The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

Responsibilities

Interns will actively support the Recreation and Environmental Stewardship missions of the Mississippi River Project by assisting with public interaction, light maintenance, and environmental monitoring activities like forest inventories and GPS data collection. Key duties also involve supporting public education through visitor center assistance and leading guided tours of the dam.