Park Ranger at Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

The Student Conservation Association is hiring a Park Ranger (Visitor Services Technician) for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Thomson, IL, from May 26 to August 23, 2025. Responsibilities include operating the Visitor Center, managing recreational sites, providing visitor information, and assisting with environmental education. Candidates should be comfortable communicating with the public and have an interest in wildlife and conservation.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Savanna District

Position Title: Park Ranger (Visitor Services Technician)

Position Dates: May 26, 2025 – August 23, 2025 = 13 weeks

About us:

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.

Position Description:

Savanna District contains 65,000 acres that stretch 80 miles along the Upper Mississippi River within the states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The participant will be involved in public recreational and informational opportunities including: operation of our Visitor Center filled with wildlife displays; public recreation along three miles of the Great River Trail; management of several recreational sites including a boat landing and scenic overlooks; experience in conducting wildlife/people management in a variety of ecosystems including the largest (4,000 acres) native sand prairie in the State of Illinois; assist with recreational management duties along this major migration corridor where tens of thousands of waterfowl and hundreds of bald eagles congregate annually and attracts international visitors, and; participates in the management of river related activities including boating, camping, fishing, hunting, trapping and public use.

Member Key Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide information to visitors in the Visitor Center.
• Assist with the upkeep of wildlife displays, kiosks, and signage.
• Assist with volunteer and Friends activities.
• Assist with environmental education and interpretation through public program presentations.

Member Marginal Duties
• Assist staff with a variety of duties that are required to manage public lands.
• Assist with managed deer hunts (hunters with disability & youth/family hunters) and our managed waterfowl hunt.

Member Required Qualifications
• Communicate openly with staff to understand what is expected of them and/or identify any special needs.
• Communicate openly with the public to answer questions and provide information about recreational opportunities.
• Be comfortable in participation of work activities with volunteers, partners and Friends members.

Member Preferred Qualifications
• Gain confidence in giving presentations to the public.
• Have some knowledge of wildlife/plant species and an interest in environmental education and interpretation.

Likely Working Conditions applicable to the member.

Working conditions will include: assisting with the operation of a Visitor Center; participation in outdoor activities to include birding walks, site preparations for managed hunts and assisting with habitat management duties; traveling to other Districts to assist with public programs; working with partners on various projects; monitoring visitor use areas; biological survey assistance (i.e. bird surveys or monarch monitoring).

Member Benefits:
• Weekly Living Allowance $620.00 per week
• Week-long orientation, expenses paid
• Assigned U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mentor
• Travel allowance to and from internship site $1000.00
• Housing provided by USFWS site. (A bunkhouse is available at the Maintenance Complex. It is a single occupant bunkhouse)

Additional physical requirements and working conditions of the member position.

Physical demands vary with task being performed.: working outside in differing weather conditions; working in a variety of habitats including river backwaters, shoreline, prairies, forests and grasslands; assisting in boating activities; be prepared for working in variable weather conditions including sun exposure and possible encounters with reptiles, amphibians, mammals, biting and stinging insects, ticks, thorny and poisonous plants, and contact with the general public (germs, etc.).

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.