Conservation and Outreach Internship

Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter located in Park City Utah is seeking seasonal interns for the Summer 2026 season to be involved with a wide range of activities and projects. This person will assist with conservation and restoration efforts on the Preserve as well as nature interpretation and outreach at community events Swaner events and on the Swaner trails. This person will report to the Director of Conservation. During the course of this internship the intern will experience a wide range of conservation projects and outreach opportunities making this the perfect internship for a student or recent graduate who wants the opportunity to explore a variety of career options or refine their interests in the environmental or non-profit field.

Candidates must have a positive attitude be willing to learn work well as part of a team and enjoy working outdoors in a variety of environments and weather conditions. Candidates must be professional in interactions with staff volunteers and the public as a representative of USU Extension and the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter. Candidates professional academic and lived experience will be taken into consideration during the hiring process. Candidates should support and help create a respectful workplace culture where all are welcome.

This intern will gain hands-on experience in restoration and land management projects and plant and wildlife identification. They will gain an understanding of the complex issues surrounding community conservation including local partnerships conservation easements and recreational use. The intern will also develop outreach and interpretation skills enabling the intern to effectively communicate and teach about the natural world. The intern will learn about non-profit organizations and management the day-to-day operations of a community center and the many facets of USU Extension work.

• Assisting with a broad range of land management and habitat restoration projects such as:
  • Monitoring of nest boxes.
  • Maintenance and installation of restoration plantings.
  • Trail camera deployment and monitoring.
  • Management of noxious weed species on the Preserve including pulling and monitoring.
• Working at the EcoCenter exhibit hall interacting with visitors as well as assisting with guided Preserve tours and lectures and leading restoration volunteer groups.
• Creating interpretive materials to educate visitors and trail users about the Swaner Preserve.
• Assisting with social media content associated with their work.

Minimum Qualifications

• A commitment to habitat restoration conservation and outdoor education.
• Coursework or experience relevant to the fields of habitat restoration conservation wetland science ecology science communication etc.
• Valid drivers license to perform essential job responsibilities such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in outdoor field work is a plus.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• An outgoing optimistic and can-do attitude.

Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors in an office space event space or public space are protected from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).

Outdoors incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment and conditions that may affect the respiratory system such as fumes odors dusts mists gases and poor ventilation. Bending crawling and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift push and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier land-grant public service university. As an R1 research institution Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local regional and global communities. USU prepares students to be active civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person atlocations throughout the state.Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season.The Aggies long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in womens volleyball three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in womens soccer conference championships and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics reflecting USUs commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.

The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or.

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities including in admissions and employment Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy Title IX or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring promotion transfer or termination based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race color religion sex familial status disability national origin source of income sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 10/2025