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Nez Perce National Historical Park – Natural Resources Management Internship

Idaho Conservation Corps
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Northwest Youth Corps – 720 HR

Individual Placement

National Park Service

Nez Perce National Historical Park

Lapwai, ID

 

Position Title: Natural Resources Management Internship – 720 HR

Position Summary: 

Nez Perce National Historical Park is recruiting two Natural Resources Management Crew Interns beginning early June 2025, through September 2025, dates are negotiable depending on availability. The intern will support Natural Resource program work through a field-oriented position with potential for some office work, as needed. Interns will have the opportunity to gain skills associated with conservation work and understanding the National Park Service mission. Work will be primarily within the vegetation program focused on vegetation management, invasive species control, and restoration work. Daily tasks will consist of travel between park sites in the greater Idaho area to accomplish program work and will be based out of the Visitor Center in Lapwai, ID. Some overnight travel to Big Hole National Battlefield and Whitman National Historical Site may be available to interns, if interested. 

The Natural Resource Management Program is responsible for the preservation and conservation of the environment represented by the park sites across the traditional Nez Perce homeland. Work deals with a variety of tasks from invasive species control to vegetation monitoring and restoration, to promote ecosystem health. Interns will get the opportunity to assist with the tasks associated with this work, as well as have opportunities to experience and assist other park projects within the Cultural Resources, Interpretation, and Facilities programs. 

 

Nez Perce National Historical Park, Lapwai, Idaho:

The 38 units of Nez Perce National Historical Park form a park unit about a people, for all people. It is not one place, but many. It is not one story, but a multitude. It is not one viewpoint, but many more than one. Approximately 300,000 visitors annually come to Nez Perce National Historical Park to experience and understand the cultural heritage and history of the Nez Perce as well as to see the scenery along two national historic trails: the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service in close partnership with Nez Perce National Historical Park. The majority of visitors discover Nez Perce sites as they travel to and from other destinations but are able to discover the many stories and legends inherently tied to this landscape.

Lapwai, Idaho is Park Headquarters for Nez Perce National Historical Park. It is located in NW Idaho near the Idaho Washington border 12 miles SW of Lewiston Idaho on US HWY 95.  The area is defined by the Clearwater and Snake rivers as they flow through canyons, steep hills, and run together in Lewiston. Vegetation in the area is mostly grass and sage, the topography is rolling hills with distant mountains, much of the area is agricultural and planted in wheat. The towns of Lewiston Idaho population 36,000 and Clarkston Washington population 8,000 offer all major services including rental housing, airport, schools, and hospitals. There is no public transportation to the park from the surrounding communities.  Daytime temperatures from June to October frequently reach the high 80’s with numerous days in July and August with temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime temperatures in the winter range from the low 30’s to mid-50’s.  The climate is arid at Spalding which is in the Clearwater River bottom with little rain or snow, both rain and snowfall increase significantly in the higher elevations around Lapwai.

 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

General Resource Management (10%)

  • Work in a team or independently to aid in all resource management activities at Nez Perce National Historical Park
    • Assist with Natural Resource program projects and other programs as needed such as the Cultural Resources, Interpretation, and Facilities programs.   

Vegetation Management (90%)     

  • Work in a team or independently to treat invasive plants at Nez Perce National Historical Park;
    • Survey, identify, map exotic vegetation
    • Treat exotic vegetation through hand-pulling, cutting, or herbicide application
    • Document treatments and update files and GIS layers
    • Maintain equipment
    • If interested, will be able to study and test for the Idaho Pesticide Applicator’s License certification
  • Work in a team to monitor vegetation and specific plant species (camas, penstemon, Spalding’s catchfly) 
    • Survey, identify, map native vegetation
    • Camas monitoring with Citizen Science groups
    • Lemhi penstemon monitoring at Big Hole National Battlefield site
    • Spalding’s catchfly monitoring at Old Joseph cemetery site
    • Document and update files 
  • Restoration
    • Spread native seed mixes in disturbed areas
    • Seed collection
    • Plant seedlings in disturbed areas 
  • Other duties
    • Preparing information (print and/or oral) for sharing with public and co-workers about project work at Nez Perce National Historical Park
    • Enter data
    • Document resource findings/activities
    • Work with other park programs as needed

 

Approximately 1-10 nights may be spent on overnight travel to other park sites, as needed and if interested. 

 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
  • Willingness to work as a part of a team and/or independently in an outdoor setting
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
  • Willingness to carry and work with and near herbicides
  • Reliable
  • Strong focus on attention to detail 
  • Good written and verbal communication skills 
  • Current Driver’s license
  • Transportation to and from work
  • Willingness to submit to a government background security check
  • A positive attitude and willingness to learn

 

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of Northwest natural resources and plants
  • Coursework in biology, botany, natural resources, and a strong interest in conservation
  • Previous experience using GPS units
  • Experience with basic land navigation equipment and/or methods
  • Experience in presenting informational or educational talks to the general public
  • Experience teaching and/or leading youth, conservation, reforestation and/or outdoor rec skills

 

Duty Location:

Interns will be based out of Nez Perce National Historical Park- Visitor Center in Lapwai, ID. They will start each day at the duty location and may travel to different park sites during the workday as needed. Days will end at the duty station. Some overnight travel may occur to Big Hole National Battlefield (Wisdom, MT) and/or Whitman Mission National Historic Site (Walla Walla, WA), as needed and if interested. Interns will be required to make their own housing arrangements and are responsible for their own food.

 

Terms of Employment: 

One intern will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting June through September 2025 for a total of 18 Weeks. The intern will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays. 

Interns are responsible for providing their own personal transportation and food. Housing may be provided.

 

Program Benefits: 

Interns will earn $11,520 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 18-week program.

The living allowance are taxable. Upon successful completion of the term interns can earn a Public Lands Corps noncompetitive hiring authority within federal service. The Public Lands Corps noncompetitive hiring authority does not provide a candidate with an entitlement to federal employment.

 

Application Instructions 

 

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received. 

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: June 2025 – October 2025 

Length of Term: 18 Weeks (minimum of 720 Hours) 

 

To Apply: 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

 

Please select “Nez Perce National Historical Park – Natural Resources Management Internship” when applying.

 

Additional Information: 

If you have questions about the position, please contact Idaho Conservation Corps/Northwest Youth Corps 

Internship Program Coordinator Matthew Schlegel at matthews@idahocc.org or Katy Matthews at 208-843-7048 or Kathryn_Matthews@nps.gov.

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history).