Voyageurs National Park Wildlife Ecology Field Fellow

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

The primary duty of this position will be working within the Wildlife Program in Voyageurs National Park. This individual will participate in acoustic bat monitoring, pellet counts, loon surveys, wetland plant surveys, beaver trapping, and other surveys as needed. Data collection, data entry, helping researchers navigate through the park, and GPS usage will be a primary focus. Applicants will also assist with air quality surveys. Applicants will work with other programs such as wetland restoration, as needed. 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 (seasonal government housing) OR a housing stipend will be provided by Voyageurs National Park and Voyageurs Conservancy, 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 three years

• 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 strenuous hikes

Preferred:

• Experience handling animals in wildlife biology context

• Navigation skills, including using a GPS/compass

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

Position Length

The fellowship will run from approximately June 7-October 30, 2026, however, accommodations can be considered dependent on the Fellow’s schedule. Fellows can expect to work 35-40 hours per week in the field.

Contact Information and Deadline

This position is accepting applications from January 26 - February 9, 2026. To submit an application, please complete all sections of this form or click the button below. Please direct any questions to Haley_Smith@nps.gov – there is no need to email application materials.

You will need a Google account to fill out the form. If you aren’t able to access the Google Form, email kate@voyageurs.org with any technical problems or questions.

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. 

Click here to be redirected to our primary Field Fellows webpage.

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.