Position Summary 

Gateway National Recreation Area was the nation's first urban National Park, created to bring the National Park Service mission and values closer to communities in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. Experience summer in the city with Gateway's Interpretation team, promoting water safety and resource stewardship, and building leadership skills.

Location 

• Highlands, NJ

Schedule 

• May 11, 2026 - August 28, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Individual Placement IS REQUIRED TO BE FLUENT IN SPANISH.

This is an exciting opportunity with two primary goals: first, to promote Leave No Trace stewardship practices among park visitors; and second, to educate visitors about recreating safely at Sandy Hook’s beaches within Gateway National Recreation Area.

At the beginning of the season, the individual will participate in a structured developmental program, learning about the National Park Service and Gateway National Recreation Area, and key management challenges facing the park. The intern will gain an understanding of the ethics of minimal-impact outdoor recreation and practice effective strategies for sharing these principles with diverse audiences.

Throughout the remainder of the season, the individual will strengthen their leadership skills by facilitating service-learning volunteer projects, such as youth and community beach clean-ups and shadowing roving Shorebird Ambassador VIP’s. The individual will also conduct outreach to local communities to help promote Leave No Trace principles, including participation in special events at Sandy Hook. In addition, the individual will design and implement an online Leave No Trace or Water Safety messaging campaign for one of Gateway's social media platforms.

The individual will provide bilingual (English and Spanish) education to visitors about the hazards associated with swimming in non-guarded beaches and will assist park rangers with all water-based programs and events, including seining demonstrations, Junior Ranger Angler activities and World Oceans Day programs.

They will learn about other National Park sites throughout the New York-New Jersey region and have opportunities to visit and meet with park managers and staff.

The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway NRA is located on the northernmost tip of the Jersey Shore at the entrance of New York Harbor. The nearest shopping areas are approximately six miles away in Highlands, NJ. Due to Sandy Hook's proximity to New York City and the Jersey Shore you will have an opportunity to visit and experience a wide range of museums, national parks, state parks and cultural institutions.

Marginal Duties 

The individual will assist rangers with educational pop-up’s in high-visibility park locations, assist Resource Stewardship staff with activities related to protecting nesting shorebird species, and regularly engage with visitors about park rules and regulations.

Required Qualifications 

• Spanish language fluency
• Ability to spend a significant amount of time outdoors in beach settings
• Ability to speak in front of a wide variety of people in both formal and informal situations
• Ability to manage one’s own time
• Ability to adapt to unexpected conditions

Preferred Qualifications 

• Driver’s License
• Interest in natural history

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Hours 

• 40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing is provided on site in 35-room dormitory-style, single occupancy rooms with shared common spaces, bathrooms and kitchen stations. The individual will live with other seasonal NPS employees and lifeguards.

Compensation  

• Living Allowance - $650/week
• Relocation Travel Grant - $650

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

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.