Voyageurs National Park

Wetland and Wildlife Ecology Field Fellow

This position is currently not accepting applications. If you are interested in 2026 Field Fellowship opportunities, please click here to be redirected to our primary Field Fellows webpage.


Seeking enthusiastic student or recent graduate to join the Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service team at Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota!

Josie Shadow, 2023 Field Fellow

The primary duty of this Fellow will be working in wetland restoration and wildlife monitoring in Voyageurs National Park.  Incumbent will navigate by boat to wetland restoration sites where they will perform wetland vegetation surveys and perform mechanized plant removal.  They will also assist with wildlife studies, including secretive marsh bird surveys and beaver surveys.  Data collection, data entry, and GPS usage will be a primary focus.  Fellows will enjoy a challenging, exciting, and educational summer in our beautiful park. Opportunities for training will include motorboat operations, CPR training, plant survey training, recognizing bird calls, and many other exciting opportunities for growth.  Development of individual projects and written communication will be stressed as well. 

Voyageurs Conservancy recognizes the barriers and lack of representation that affects equal access to the outdoors. We believe our parks, and their partners, should strive to make a representative future of public land professionals.

Professional Development

The Fellow will regularly engage in relevant professional development opportunities, and will develop an end-of-term portfolio or communication project that could be shared with future employers.

Stipend and Reimbursement

Voyageurs Conservancy believes stipend reimbursement is necessary to create an accessible Fellowship experience. Stipends are determined by the weeks/hours served. Full-time summer Fellows should anticipate a $1,200/month stipend.

Housing costs (in seasonal government housing) will be covered by Voyageurs National Park, and mileage for driving between seasonal government housing and Voyageurs National Park Headquarters during the internship will be reimbursed.

Qualifications 

Required:

  • Possess a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle

  • Pursuing or obtained a degree in biology, wildlife management, botany, or related field within the last 18 months

  • Ability or willingness to learn boat and canoe skills

  • Must be able to work outside in adverse weather conditions with biting insects, in large bodies of water, and on floating cattail mats

Preferred:

  • Bird and plant identification 

  • Experience with hand tools and handheld brush cutters

  • Navigation skills, including using a GPS/compass

  • Experience operating computers for data management, spreadsheets, and word processing

Position Length

The Fellowship will last for up to 16 weeks (May or early June – August or September); however, accommodations can be considered dependent on the Fellow’s class schedule. Fellows can expect to work 35-40 hours per week in the field.

Contact Information and Deadline

This position is currently not accepting applications. If you are interested in 2026 Field Fellowship opportunities, please click here to be redirected to our primary Field Fellows webpage.

About Voyageurs Field Fellow Program

In response to the landscape of unpaid internships and entry-level positions requiring prior field experience, the Voyageurs Field Fellowship offers paid opportunities and professional development for undergraduate and graduate students. Fellows experience the extraordinary ecosystems and cultural treasures of Voyageurs National Park and represent the next generation of public lands professionals, while acquiring the field experience needed for career advancement. The Fellowship is designed as an opportunity for land stewards at the beginning of their careers to develop crucial experience without taking on financial burden.

This program is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Voyageurs Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of the park. 

We welcome applicants of all races, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant program are encouraged to apply.