Individual Placement - Visitor Services Participant

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Student Conservation Association

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Fergus Falls, MN, United States

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Visitor Services Participant

Position Summary

The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center is a regional destination that provides outdoor education opportunities for more than 20,000 school children from 30 local communities annually. It is also home to the Fergus Falls School District's Prairie Science Class. It's goal is to foster a sense of wonder, connection to nature and grow our next generation of conservation stewards. The individual will be supporting the Visitor Services Team with that mission by facilitating lessons to the Prairie Science Class, visiting schools and public events. Additionally, some time may be spent in the Visitor Center interacting with the public, assisting other staff with habitat projects around the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District and some administrative tasks.

Location

Fergus Falls, MN

Schedule

October 6, 2025 - May 15, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assist with curriculum-based environmental education programming primarily for students in grades K-8
  • Assist with educational and interpretive projects such as developing field trips, interpretive programs, and materials
  • Assist with greenhouse duties

Marginal Duties

  • Provide quality visitor services by staffing visitor center
  • Assist other staff in the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District with field projects
  • Administrative tasks
  • Assist with collateral duties such as creating media products and performing minor labor or custodial work
  • Perform collateral duties in alignment with the intern's personal/professional interests

Required Qualifications

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently or with a team
  • A genuine desire to work with children, and some prior experience
  • Experience leading/facilitating youth through structured activities
  • Able to engage and manage groups of youth and/or adults for 2+ hours
  • Passion for the environment and working outdoors
  • Enthusiasm for outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and experiential learning
  • Willingness to learn and receive feedback in a structured, growth-oriented environment
  • Ability to supervise and engage children in both structured and unstructured settings
  • Strong communication skills and a positive attitude
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (sub-zero temps to heat and humidity)
  • Driver license
  • Personal vehicle required
  • Competence in customer service without constant supervision
  • Be comfortable talking to members of the public

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.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in related field (environmental or outdoor education, interpretation, geography, ecology, etc.) and/or some work experience that is relevant to the position (park ranger, naturalist, environmental educator), preferably for a land management agency
  • Artistic skills in graphic design or other visual arts
  • NAI certification
  • CPR/1st Aid

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Housing available in the Dormitory. Room has a full-sized bed and one set of bunk beds, a desk or dresser, writing tables, and chairs. The rooms are furnished with microwave ovens and a mini fridge. Private bathroom. Shared kitchen, lounge area and laundry facilities.

Compensation

  • Weekly living allowance - $600
  • One-time roundtrip travel allowance - $1,100
  • No cost housing available in facility dorm

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

  • Recommended

Additional Benefits

  • Defensive Drive Training
  • Interpretive Skills
  • 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.