Interpretive Intern
Jewel Cave National Monument is located in the beautiful Black Hills of western South Dakota. Climate extremes range from sub-zero temperatures during the winter season to nearly 100 degrees in the summer. Medical, dental, educational, shopping, religious, fuel, and basic visitor amenities are available in Custer, SD (13 miles east) or Newcastle, WY (22 miles west). Extended services can be found in Rapid City, SD (55 miles northeast). The local natural habitat includes a ponderosa pine forest, intermingled with open grassy meadows and rocky outcrops.
Join an interpretive team of dedicated professionals working to help visitors appreciate and enjoy one of America's natural treasures. At nearly 165 miles in length, Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world. It exposes visitors to a beautiful and strange underground environment, which is still being mapped and surveyed by cavers. This sense of exploration and discovery captures visitor attention and causes most visitors to understand the importance of preserving and protecting this special resource.Position responsibilities include: leading guided cave tours (Scenic, Discovery, and Historic Lantern Tours); leading nature hikes on a one-quarter mile trail; developing, presenting, and evaluating interpretive patio talks; researching and preparing special event programs and/or roving high use visitor areas; staffing a visitor center desk; providing orientation directions, answering common visitor questions, and responding to written, telephone, and online requests; assisting in the sale of park store merchandise; assisting with special projects, such as the development of interpretive site bulletins, educational flyers and/or other media projects; and taking part in various professional development opportunities related to the interpretive profession.This position is also considered multi-faceted and may be be exposed to some resource management activities throughout the summer season. These activities and responsibilities may include: working with resource professionals to perform cave restoration and invasive weed control; assisting with caving projects, such as water sampling, mapping, and surveying; and, assisting with volunteer service projects, such as Scout Ranger Programs. This position is not eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award.
