Interpretive Cave Conservation Intern

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.:

Announcement:

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. Resume Cover Letter Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on March 22, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply. The hours for this internship are flexible and designed to fit around a student’s schedule. If you are a successful applicant, you will work with your supervisor at the Caverns to design a schedule that works for both parties between 24-32 hours a week, up to 140 hrs. between April 25 and June 30, 2026, and up to 220 hours between July 1 and September 30, 2026.

This position requires working in a cave environment, which is hundreds of feet underground and often dimly lit. This position also requires the ability to hike 6 miles per day in steep terrain with a 1000ft vertical rise and lifting up to 40 pounds.

Specific Job Information:

The Cave Conservation and Interpretation Intern would work at beautiful Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park for the summer 2026 season. Their primary tasks would be providing cave tours and other interpretive programming to the public and school groups. Cave tours involve leading groups on either 1 or 2-hour tours, educating people about the natural wonders of Lewis and Clark Caverns and cave environments.

Alongside this role, they would be doing 10-minute interpretive programs for the public waiting for the next tour. The intern would also be encouraged to develop additional interpretive programming according to their specific interests. This position would also assist with routine cleaning tasks and light maintenance in the cave, visitor center, restrooms, grounds, etc. This position includes mandatory staff training at Lewis and Clark Caverns April 25-26, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Must be currently enrolled in a college or university. The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to high school graduate with some work or club experience featuring public/customer service and interest/experience in one of the following fields of study: park or natural resources management, communications, education, public speaking, interpretation, tourism, history, psychology, sociology, archaeology, paleontology, fish and wildlife management, and geology. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.