Individual Placement- Outreach and Ranger Assistance

The Student Conservation Association is offering an internship for the Rock Island District's Mississippi River Project in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, from May 18 to September 9, 2026. Interns will assist with recreation, environmental stewardship, and public education. Responsibilities include interacting with the public, conducting forest inventories, and leading tours. A monthly housing allowance is provided, but housing is not included. Candidates should be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old.
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 18, 2026 - September 9, 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.