Position Summary
This position will spend the summer gaining hands-on customer service experience at a Superior National Forest Ranger District office while supporting the administration program. Primary duties will include visitor education; assisting with Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit issuances; assisting with Forest product permit issuances; providing visitors with recreation and biological information about the Superior National Forest while providing directions to a variety of locations; answering phones and taking messages; responding to emails; and general administration duties.
Additional opportunities may be available throughout the summer which may include assisting with gift shop sales; supporting National Visitor Use Monitoring survey efforts; supporting wildlife biology programming; performing recreation site and trail maintenance work alongside recreation technicians; and Wilderness campsite and portage maintenance alongside Wilderness Rangers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Prospective candidates should be self-motivated individuals who would be expected to work as part of a team and candidates would be expected to interact directly with National Forest visitors to provide customer service at Superior National Forest Ranger District Offices which may include selling gift store merchandise.
Positions will likely work from mid-May to mid-August but start and end dates may be negotiable.
Location
Ely, MN
Schedule
May 18, 2026 – August 7, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Providing customer service to National Forest visitors.
- Answering telephone calls and directing calls to the appropriate resource specialist.
- Responding to emails and voicemails about National Forest conditions.
- Providing visitor education and information to National Forest visitors.
- Working alone on occasion once they are fully trained on applicable duties and safety. protocols. In general, members will be working with Forest Service employees.
- Supporting Superior National Forest Ranger District Offices which may be open on weekends. Some degree of weekend work will likely be required with this position.
Marginal Duties
- Supporting National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) efforts which may include completing NVUM surveys at pre-determined sites and times using established survey protocols and questions.
- Completing recreation site and trail maintenance tasks under the direction of Forest Service Staff.
Required Qualifications
- Driver’s License
- Ability to work independently
- Communication skills
- Ability to operate a pickup truck or other 4WD vehicle on unpaved roads
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience performing customer service duties
- Experience talking to Forest visitors and completing surveys using established protocols
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
- Selected candidates will be provided with housing free of charge at US Forest Service cabins or bunkhouses. Candidates can expect shared living conditions and must plan to provide their own bedding.
- All facilities have modern amenities (full kitchens, flush toilets, showers, electricity, Wi-Fi, on-site laundry).
- Cabins and bunkhouses have on-site parking for personal vehicles; any candidates who come without personal transportation may request to be placed into a bunkhouse that is closer to a grocery store.
Compensation
- Living allowance – $500/week
- Free Housing at Forest Service cabins or bunkhouses
- One-time travel allowance of $1,100
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Recommended
Additional Benefits
- Defensive Drive Training
- First Aid/CPR
- 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.