"Art in the Park" Intern

Position Description: Rocky Mountain National Park is recruiting for an intern who is passionate about educating youth, families, and people of all ages and abilities on becoming stewards and recreational users of public lands. Specifically, this position will focus on developing and delivering art programs to the general public, as well as program support to the team that is bringing back Rocky Mountain National Park’s Artist-in-Residence program. The intern will be engaging primarily with visitors from all backgrounds, designing learning experiences promoting healthy living and connections to nature using art as a medium.

The LHIP intern will serve as a member of the Interpretation Team at Rocky Mountain National Park, developing and delivering programs, welcoming visitors to the park at the Visitor Centers, and engaging with the community in and outside the park. Two out of the eleven weeks would be spent in seasonal training alongside interpretation and education park rangers to learn about interpretation, environmental education, teamwork, Relevancy, Diversity and Inclusion (RDI) principles, and learning the mission of the National Park Service. The main duties of this internship will involve designing and developing informal art programs for the public, working alongside interpretive rangers at visitor centers, Junior Ranger Headquarters, and other public spaces in the park. Final products for the internship include engaging educational art programs to the public and laying the groundwork for future programming.

Located about 65 miles northwest of Denver, CO, Rocky Mountain National Park straddles the Continental Divide and has an elevation range of 8,000 – 14,000 feet above sea level. Weather can change from hot and sunny to rain, sleet, and snow within hours, even in the summer season. Part of the work will be performed outdoors in varying hot, cold, windy, rainy weather. The park is best known for its spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife, and varied ecosystems. The town of Estes Park is a 5-minute drive from the park and offers many modern amenities. Though not highly diverse, Estes Park does have visible and valued Latino population (12%). Social opportunities in Boulder and Fort Collins are within an hour’s drive from Estes Park.

The team at Rocky Mountain has adapted significantly to the challenges of the global pandemic and we will continue to adapt as needed in the upcoming season. The participant can expect a work environment that is 50% outdoors and 50% office work, however, these plans may change repeatedly to accommodate health guidance. The park regularly hosts multiple interns in a variety of work teams. Conditions at Rocky can change rapidly. Weather can change drastically in the span of a few hours or with changing elevation. Wildlife is abundant even in the housing areas, and the participant will be expected to adhere to wildlife-safety procedures. There are black bears and other predators here. Expect to see elk, deer, and many other wildlife species.