Intern: Adventure Guide
This is a paid internship program specifically designed for currently enrolled high school/GED/college students. This is a work-based learning experience for young leaders and provides professional development opportunities for young people in the park. Minimum age qualification for this position is 16.
Organization Description:
Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.
Department Description:
Conservancy Youth Programs prioritize individuals, groups and communities that national parks and conservation organizations have failed to previously engage. Our programs encourage new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks, healthy communities, and a more environmentally just society. Our programs erase boundaries between communities and the environment and are community driven and inspired. Programs focus on learning about social and environmental issues and building leadership skills that can contribute to positive change. Programs engage young people across the Golden Gate National Parks and beyond in parks, schools, communities, and virtual spaces. Youth Programs span multiple counties, through a variety of programs and partnerships. Youth Programs include programs through the Crissy Field Center, OneTam Collaborative, Parks Nurseries, and in Conservation/Stewardship, from Marin to San Mateo. The main headquarters located at the Crissy Field Center at the Youth Campus in the Presidio, San Francisco.
Through a series of connecting pathways, bluff landscapes, dynamic overlooks, and social gathering places, the Tunnel Tops is set a central place to meet and learn, to experience, and to forge new forms of community and events. The 14-acres of parkland includes attractions – such as trails, views, gardens, and two-acre outdoor adventure area for youth and families called the “Outpost.” Adjacent to the Outpost, is its companion, a park curiosity lab called the “Field Station,” a dynamic space filled with a wondrous abundance of real things such as field specimens, artifacts, and tools.
Position Overview:
The Adventure Guide intern team welcomes, orients, and engages visitors of all ages and backgrounds to the Tunnel Tops and Presidio. This role amplifies what the Tunnel Tops and larger park environs have to offer by supporting meaningful park adventures and providing a positive and informative visitor experience. Adventure Guides help provide a bridge for visitors to the Presidio who may experience barriers to access. As an initial point of contact at the Tunnel Tops Outpost and Field Station, this position is a very active job where you will be on your feet and outdoors much of the day moving between locations. This position also interacts with youth (young children through teens), families, and community groups to help increase access to the park and to assist in facilitating unique park experiences. There will be an emphasis on serving communities traditionally underrepresented in National Parks. This position requires workdays that include Saturday and or Sundays with hours ranging between 12-18 hours a week. Extensive training and park orientation are provided to help develop knowledge and understanding of park resources and career opportunities. This position starts on May 18 and goes through October 26th.
Reports To: Adventure Guide Manager
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
1. Visitor Service
- Proactively and warmly welcomes everyone who visits Tunnel Tops. Greet and orient visitors about the Field Station, Outpost, and broader park.
- Facilitate self-guided experiences and staffed activities at the Outpost and Field Station.
- Propose and/or develop new activities and experiences for visitors.
2. Daily Operations
- Record observations and insights and provide that feedback daily.
- Provide an exceptional customer service-oriented approach when interacting with the public that is consistent, professional, friendly, and informative.
- Alert appropriate members of staff about public safety concerns, rule enforcement matters or maintenance issues when they arise.
- Other duties as assigned.
3. Facilitation and Programming
- Work alongside Presidio Trust and National Parks Service partners to enhance participants experience when visiting Field Station and Outpost.
- Support events put on by park and community partners at the Field Station and Outpost.
4. Skill and Knowledge Development
- Participates in training about public interaction, career development, and importance of Adventure Guide role.
- Participates in regular trainings.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to be creative, energetic, and self-motivated.
- Skilled at taking initiative and recognizing what needs to be done.
- Ability to multi-task effectively.
- Clear communicator with welcoming body language and eye contact.
- Must be able to take direction and feedback in a constructive manner.
- Excited about service and enjoy interacting with the public, particularly children, youth and families.
- Passion for the outdoors and connecting others, especially those who are inexperienced with outdoor experiences.
- Able to work a schedule that includes the weekends and holiday.
- Dependable in committing to scheduled agreements
- Able to work independently using sound judgement and decision-making skills.
- Able to work in a team setting and understand shared responsibilities of coverage areas.
- Ability to communicate needs or ideas.
Education and/or Experience:
- Prefer previous experience in youth programs.
- Lived or worked experience in San Francisco Bay Area communities.
- Multilingual: able to speak language(s) other than English that serve bay area communities desired.
Health and Safety:
It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.
Based on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks Conservancy requires all employees to be vaccinated and to provide proof of such vaccination as a condition of employment.
Physical Requirements and Work Environments:
- Work is performed in a combination of outdoor and indoor setting.
- Work is primarily performed standing for prolonged periods.
- Ability to carry up to 30 lbs. short distances; stretch, grasp, kneel, twist, reach and bend.
- Maintain long periods of customer service interaction requiring repetitive verbal greetings.
- Regularly requires ability to walk through the Outpost and Field Station.
Pay Rate: This is a part-time position and can be 12 to 18 hours a week depending on availability or need. The pay rate is $18.75/hour. The commitment for this position is 6 months and ends October 26th.
Application Deadline Date: For priority consideration, please apply by March 25th, 2024. After March 25th, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.