NPS Geoscientists-in-the-Parks (GIP) Program

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Do you want to work in a National Park?

Philip Varela, Field Paleontology, Badlands National Park, South Dakota, 2014

Geoscientists-in-the-Parks (GIP) matches college students and recent graduates between 18-35 years old with short-term, paid internships with the National Park Service.

The National Park Service (NPS) actively seeks students and professionals in the geosciences and other natural resource fields who want to use their expertise to help the agency to better understand and manage its natural resources. The program provides participants a unique opportunity to contribute towards the conservation of America's national parks.

Participants may assist with:

  • Site evaluations
  • Resource inventorying and monitoring
  • Impact mitigation
  • Geologic mapping
  • GIS analysis
  • Research
  • Synthesis of scientific literature and reporting
  • Developing informative media
  • Educating park staff and park visitors

GIP positions can last from 3 months to one year. Program participants must be 18 - 35 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. Upon successful completion of a project, participants may be eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award.

 

Preparing for the Future

Lisa Norby from the National Park Service describes how the GIP Program helps address the current needs and mission of our national parks, while providing valuable work experience to participants in geoscience and other natural resource science fields.

 

About the Program

This program is run in partnership with the Geological Society of America (GSA) and Stewards Individual Placement Program. GSA advertises the program, recruits qualified candidates, and manages the online application process. Once a candidate is offered a GIP position, Stewards enrolls them in the program, administers their payments and benefits, and serves as their point of contact throughout the program.

Geoscientists-in-the-Parks participants are considered AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps limits the number of terms an individual can serve to four terms. If an applicant has previously completed four GIP or other AmeriCorps positions, he/she will not be eligible to apply for an additional GIP position.

For more details: GIP flyer • GIP Annual Report (FY19)

GSA also invites you to look at the opportunities offered through the GeoCorps America program.

Sign up for the GIP E-News email list to get notices when positions are posted.

If you have questions about the GIP program, please e-mail Lesley Petrie.

 
GIP participants.