National Park Service

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program Assignment Position: Project Specialist Location: U.S. Department of the Interior, Denver Service Center The Denver Service Center is seeking a qualified candidate for a temporary assignment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program. This Project Specialist role will support the planning, design, and construction of projects across national parks and public lands. The assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-profile federal initiatives, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and gain valuable interagency experience. Duration and details of the assignment will be coordinated in accordance with IPA program guidelines.

Is that a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker? Whether you're casually taking note of your surroundings or traveling the nation in search of birds to add to your checklist, people of all ages can enjoy birding. When you start to take note of the birds around you, you might find yourself more perceptive of other things. You might notice sounds you previously overlooked. It’s like a cracking noise. Oh, that’s your knee. You might start to notice small details around you, like kinds of trees, insects, fruits, or that existential feeling of being watched by a bird, sorry, Black-throated Green Warbler. You might even notice things about yourself, like your inexplicable love for cheesy puns or your impressive ability to trip over flat surfaces. In conclusion, birding can be a gateway hobby, leading you to much more serious hobbies, or maybe you’ll just recognize and appreciate a wider world that was there all along. I think that Tufted Titmouse is watching me. Wanna learn more about yourself? Cool. But this post is mainly about birds. Learn more about birding at: https://lnkd.in/eNz-N2rv Image: Screenshot of a National Park Service tweet with the text, “As you get older, it’s amazing how fast bird-watching creeps up on you.”

“If a trail is to be blazed, it is ‘send a ranger.’ If an animal is floundering in the snow, a ranger is sent to pull him out; if a bear is in the hotel, if a fire threatens a forest, if someone is to be saved, it is ‘send a ranger…” - Stephen T. Mather, first Director of the National Park Service #WorldRangerDay honors rangers around the world who work to preserve and protect important natural and cultural places. It’s also a day to remember and commemorate those who have lost their lives serving on the front line protecting the environment around them. Rangers work in varying positions with some being faced with difficult and dangerous tasks. They are key protectors of parks and conservation. This is done through law enforcement, environmental education, community relations, fighting fires, conducting search and rescues, research, interpretation, and in many other ways. If you’re in a park today, say hi to a ranger! Image: Graphic of a ranger in silhouette with various park and nature elements.

Do you have a passion for: - museums? - history? - National Parks? - the Great Lakes? - all of the above? American Conservation Experience in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking a Museum Program Fellow at Keweenaw National Historical Park. This position will work with the Park Curator and the Regional Museum Curator to assist in assessing the park’s museum collection through annual inventories, developing refinement plans, and preparing accession and deaccession packages. Other duties may include working with other NPS museum collections, assisting with planning and preparation for collections relocations, learning and using the Museum Collection Management System (MCMS), evaluation of catalog records, and routine museum monitoring and maintenance. Applications will be accepted through August 15. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e3Xnu8tn

National parks have hiking trails for everyone, from “I climb mountains for breakfast” to “I just tripped on a curb.” (That curb came out of nowhere, said no one.) Now before you lace up…umm, are you wearing flip flops? We’ve talked about this. Put on your hiking boots. We’ll wait. (Humming Final Jeopardy music) And we’re back. What are things you should ask yourself before a hike? First off, what’s my hiking experience? Am I a grizzled trail veteran, or is my idea of “hiking” walking to the fridge during a Love Island binge? Maybe that mountain is not calling your name. It’s calling you something, but maybe try an easier trail if you want to soak in nature’s grandeur without gasping for air or becoming a bear’s mid-afternoon snack. Just kidding, the bear passed you up long ago. How much can I carry? We don’t know. Oh, you’re asking yourself. So, you packed enough granola bars and water to survive the apocalypse but can your spine handle it for more than 20 minutes? Think and pack strategically or eat those bars a lot faster. Have I hiked in this environment? If you’re a city dweller used to air-conditioned bliss, a park’s heat, humidity, or afternoon thunderstorm might make you regret your choices. Think about the park’s terrain, what to wear, the weather forecast (why is it soooo humid?!?), and, umm, we forgot the last one because it’s soooo hot!!! Finally, am I hiking solo or with a buddy? That may depend on how the car ride to the park went? What’s a blinker? Going alone is fine, especially if you’re part hermit, part survivalist. Otherwise, bring a friend…preferably one who knows first aid and also how to deal with you when you become Grouchy McHangryface. Who’s a nightmare? Me!!! Wait, you!!! Eat a granola bar, please? Image: A hiker with backpack and water bottle looks out towards the Teton Ranger at Grand Teton National Oark.

“Thats’s my purse. I don’t know you!” - Bobby Hill Ever stumbled across a black, leathery, palm-sized pouch washed up on the beach? Often called a “mermaid’s purse,” these aren’t treasures from Ariel’s collection of "whozits and whatzits” but egg cases of certain sharks and skates—close cousins to rays with flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins. Each egg case has four “horns” in total, one on each corner, which help anchor the case to seaweed on the bottom of the sea floor. When the embryo has finished developing, the pouch opens and the young one emerges. Most of the time, the egg cases you find washed up on shore are empty. Image: Is there a black purse in here? Four leathery looking egg cases lying in the sand at Gateway National Recreation Area.

If you’ve got a passion for preserving history and working in stunning natural settings, this opportunity is a gem! The National Park Service is hiring a seasonal Museum Technician at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. What You’ll Be Doing: - Implementing museum maintenance and housekeeping schedules - Conducting environmental monitoring and pest management - Cataloging and labeling museum objects and archives - Assisting with inventory and storage of collections - Responding to research requests from staff and external researchers Location: Ozark NSR is nestled in the heart of Missouri's Ozark Highlands, featuring 134 miles of spring-fed rivers, scenic bluffs, caves, and abundant outdoor recreation like canoeing, hiking, and fishing. Key Details: - Seasonal Position: Up to 1039 hours, typically October–April - Entry on Duty: Expected October/November - Application Deadline: July 29, 2025 You can explore the full listing and apply directly on USAJOBS. https://lnkd.in/eFuSWZCj

So you’re asking where we stash the unicorns? Well, friends, we’ll spill the beans on where the sparkly, spike-headed ponies prance about as soon as you stop chucking trail mix at squirrels and trying to snap selfies with half-ton bison like they’re your Grandma’s labradoodle. So, umm, like…never? And don’t even ask about the dragons. 💩 We’ve said too much.

“I have my trail mix, not to eat, of course, but to shove into the crevices of the seats.” - Colin Robinson Same. Are you planning an exciting road trip this summer? Where will you go? Wherever you go, make sure to bring the essentials. 💧Who’s thirsty? Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! One human alcohol beer, please. Actually, we were thinking of bringing extra water. Aim to drink it at regular intervals and not gulp it all at once. It’s important to drink even if you don’t feel thirsty. 🧢For the day walkers out there, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or bandana to protect your neck and sunglasses to protect your eyes. You’re looking a bit pale. No such thing as too much sunscreen! Apply early and reapply every two hours to prevent sunburn or turning into dust. 🥨Don’t forget the salty snacks (we recommend eating whatever you don’t shove into seat crevices) to keep your electrolyte levels up. Image: Arthur E. Holmes and Frank H. Holmes from San Jose, Ca. in a Stanley Steamer. One of the first automobiles in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Historic Photo Collection

"Resting owl face” is real. And it's spectacular. The look comes from the shape of an owl’s facial discs, those flat, round areas around their eyes that help funnel sound to their ears for hunting. These discs often give off a stern or serious look, especially when paired with large, forward-facing eyes that don’t move much. Image: An owl at Mount Rainier National Park with one eye squinting and looking fairly perturbed at your cheerful self below the text, "We hope this email finds you well." The email finding us."