Scientists in Parks

How to Apply

Help national parks achieve their mission and enhance your skills, connections, and work experience through meaningful projects.

View Projects Apply

A program participant speaks to a group of young people in a desert setting.

Eligibility

Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when an SIP Intern.
A U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
Have not completed four AmeriCorps terms previously.
Able to successfully complete a federal government background clearance and an AmeriCorps background check.

SIP Intern participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Visit Conservation Legacy’s COVID-19 resources page to learn more. Conservation Legacy is the parent organization of the Stewards Individual Placement Program, which employs all SIP Interns.

SIP Intern projects do not require participants to be currently enrolled students. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recently graduated individuals may participate.

Some SIP Intern projects have additional requirements regarding advanced skills, seasonal availability, and academic experience. We encourage reading all eligibility requirements in the individual project descriptions carefully.

Application Timeline

Applications open in early May for winter projects. Select up to five projects. Each project accepts up to 100 applicants.

Deadline to receive all application materials and letters of recommendation is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 12 June.

Interviews for select candidates occur within the 6–8 weeks following the application deadline.

Project offers occur at the end of July/early August.

Start dates vary between October – April each year.

Application Resources

Scientists in Parks: Becoming an SIP Intern: In this recorded webinar, program staff and alumni share experiences and advice with those interested in applying.
How to Apply Guide: Follow an easy-to-use guide to create and complete your application profile.
Application Worksheet: Provides a preview of questions candidates are required to answer.
Application Tip Sheet: Advice on how to successfully submit an application to the SIP program.
Interview Tip Sheet: Perform your best in interviews.
Career Pathways: Working in National Parks: In this recorded webinar, two speakers share their journeys to positions as geoscientists with the National Park Service.

Questions? Please contact sip@geosociety.org.

Who should apply to be an SIP Intern?

SIP Intern projects are the best fit for aspiring professionals with entry to mid-level skill sets that translate to their interest areas. An SIP Intern position is a great way to get involved in park science and build relevant career experience by addressing the current natural resource management needs of national parks.

More pathways in the SIP program

There are other ways to participate in SIP based on your career stage and goals.

SIP Mosaics: Focuses on participation from communities underrepresented in science career fields.
SIP Fellows: Hosts projects for enrolled undergraduate and graduate students with advanced skill sets.