Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, located in Park City, Utah, is seeking seasonal interns for the Summer 2026 season to be involved with a wide range of activities and projects. This person will assist with conservation and restoration efforts on the Preserve as well as nature interpretation and outreach at community events, Swaner events, and on the Swaner trails.  This person will report to the Director of Conservation. During the course of this internship, the intern will experience a wide range of conservation projects and outreach opportunities, making this the perfect internship for a student or recent graduate who wants the opportunity to explore a variety of career options or refine their interests in the environmental or non-profit field.

Candidates must have a positive attitude, be willing to learn, work well as part of a team, and enjoy working outdoors in a variety of environments and weather conditions. Candidates must be professional in interactions with staff, volunteers, and the public as a representative of USU Extension and the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter. Candidates professional, academic, and lived experience will be taken into consideration during the hiring process. Candidates should support and help create a respectful workplace culture where all are welcome.

This intern will gain hands-on experience in restoration and land management projects and plant and wildlife identification. They will gain an understanding of the complex issues surrounding community conservation including local partnerships, conservation easements, and recreational use. The intern will also develop outreach and interpretation skills, enabling the intern to effectively communicate and teach about the natural world. The intern will learn about non-profit organizations and management, the day-to-day operations of a community center, and the many facets of USU Extension work. 

• Assisting with a broad range of land management and habitat restoration projects such as:
  • Monitoring of nest boxes.
  • Maintenance and installation of restoration plantings.
  • Trail camera deployment and monitoring.
  • Management of noxious weed species on the Preserve including pulling and monitoring.
• Working at the EcoCenter exhibit hall interacting with visitors, as well as assisting with guided Preserve tours and lectures and leading restoration volunteer groups.
• Creating interpretive materials to educate visitors and trail users about the Swaner Preserve.
• Assisting with social media content associated with their work.

Minimum Qualifications

• A commitment to habitat restoration, conservation, and outdoor education.
• Coursework or experience relevant to the fields of habitat restoration, conservation, wetland science, ecology, science communication etc.
• Valid driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in outdoor field work is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• An outgoing, optimistic, and can-do attitude.

Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 12/2025

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Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

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In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025