Working In National Parks: Opportunities For International Students

The US National Park Service offers a variety of opportunities for international students to work in national parks across the country, from Maine to Guam and Alaska. International students can apply for internships, volunteer positions, or paid employment in fields such as engineering, architecture, community planning, and more. To be eligible for these positions, international students must have the proper documentation, such as a J-1 visa, which allows college students to work and travel in the US for a limited time. These positions offer valuable experience and the opportunity to work in an office like no other.

International students can volunteer at US national parks

International students can volunteer in US national parks, but there are some important steps to follow and requirements to meet. Firstly, it is essential to have the correct visa. Most international students will need either a J-1 or an F-1 visa to be eligible to volunteer in US national parks. The J-1 visa is typically used for individuals entering the US for training purposes, while the F-1 visa is common for university students already in the country.

The National Park Service (NPS) is a J-1 visa sponsor, meaning they can issue the required DS:2019 form. Once you receive this form, you must submit it along with your medical insurance to the International Volunteer Coordinator, who will then send you the J-1 visa certificate. The next step is to visit the US Embassy's website in your home country and complete the DS:160 online application. This application requires your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number, which can be found on the DS:2019 form. After completing the application, you will need to schedule an appointment with the US Consulate, which can take up to six weeks. Ensure you bring the necessary documents to your appointment, including the DS-2019 form, to obtain your visa.

In addition to visa requirements, international students may also need to provide proof of outside funding, such as bank statements or scholarship letters, and English proficiency test results if English is not their first language. The International Volunteer Coordinator will play a crucial role in guiding you through the process, determining your eligibility, and helping you find a national park that can host you.

There are over 400 national parks across the US and its territories offering volunteer opportunities in various career fields. These parks span from Maine to Guam, the Virgin Islands to Alaska, and everywhere in between. Volunteering in US national parks allows individuals to contribute to the preservation and protection of these natural and cultural heritage sites while gaining hands-on experience and learning new skills.

J-1 visa restrictions on work at national parks

International students with a J-1 visa are allowed to volunteer in US national parks. However, they cannot accept any salary or compensation for their work, even during weekends or time off from their regular volunteer program. This is because volunteering for compensation is considered the same as working by immigration policies.

To be eligible to volunteer, J-1 visa holders must apply to be in a special training status at their school's foreign student office. This is called Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for undergraduates and Optional Practical Training (OPT) for graduates. They must then submit their new "I-20" form to the National Park Service's International Volunteer Coordinator, who will assess their background, interests, budget, and professional and immigration history. The Coordinator will then help find a national park to host the volunteer and contact the park about the position. If the park agrees to host the volunteer, the Coordinator will contact the applicant with an offer.

Before the National Park Service can sponsor a J-1 visa, the applicant must submit proof of medical insurance to the International Volunteer Coordinator. The insurance must meet US State Department requirements, including medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness. Once the insurance is submitted, the Coordinator will send the applicant a J-1 visa certificate (DS:2019 form). The applicant will need this form, along with their SEVIS number, to fill out the DS:160 online application on the US Embassy's website. After completing the online application, the applicant must make an online appointment with the US Consulate and bring the necessary documents to their interview. Obtaining an appointment can take four to six weeks.

It is important to note that most national parks are in very remote locations, and it is rare for a park to host two international volunteers at the same time.

Internships for international students at national parks

The US National Park Service (NPS) offers internships for current students and recent graduates in more than 400 national parks and offices across the country. These internships are designed to provide valuable professional experiences and skill development opportunities to young people interested in pursuing careers in various fields related to the National Park Service.

The NPS offers a range of internship programs, including the Build Up Technical Internship Program, the Latino Heritage Internship Program, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program. These programs are open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, from accredited institutions. The internships typically last for a minimum of 10 to 11 weeks during the summer, with the possibility of extension through the school year. Some internships may also be extended part-time for up to 50 weeks for current students or full-time for up to 50 weeks for recent graduates.

The application period for most internships is usually from mid-December to early February, and the stipends range from $680 to $768 per week, with possible additional housing, commuting, and travel stipends. The internships cover a diverse range of interest areas, such as engineering, architecture, community planning, project management, social sciences, geographic information systems, natural and cultural resource management, interpretation, public affairs, historians, communication, business, archeology, curation, and planning.

Additionally, the NPS also offers the Pathways Program, which provides federal internship and employment opportunities for students, recent graduates, and those with advanced degrees. These internships may offer the Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority or the Direct Hire Authority for Resource Assistant Internships (DHA-RAI) upon completion.

While the information above specifically addresses internships with the US National Park Service, there may be similar opportunities with national parks in other countries. For example, GoAbroad.com mentions national park internships in Seoul, South Korea, and international internship service providers like AIP and CIEE that offer programs in various countries.

Paid employment at national parks for international students

The U.S. National Park Service offers a variety of opportunities for international students to gain valuable work experience in national parks across the country, from Maine to Guam and the Virgin Islands to Alaska. These opportunities, however, are typically in the form of internships or volunteer positions rather than paid employment.

International students on a J-1 visa, for instance, are not allowed to work for a salary with the National Park Service or any other employer under any circumstances, even during their weekends or time off from their regular volunteer program. Nevertheless, national parks in the U.S., such as Yellowstone National Park, have a history of hiring international students on J-1 visas for seasonal jobs. These jobs usually last a few months, typically from mid-April or June to mid-October or early November, and students are paid the same wages as American hourly workers.

There are also internship programs offered by the National Park Service that are open to undergraduate and graduate students, providing stipends ranging from $680 to $768 per week, as well as housing and travel stipends. These internships usually take place during the summer, lasting 10 to 11 weeks, with a possibility of extension through the school year.

Additionally, international students may be able to find volunteer opportunities in national parks, although these are typically restricted to positions that offer professional training due to J-1 visa requirements. International volunteers must present the proper documentation (Form 551 – Permanent Resident Card) and should not apply for positions in maintenance, fee collection, camp hosting, or trail work.

Seasonal jobs at national parks for international students

Seasonal jobs in national parks can be a great way for international students to gain valuable work experience and explore different parts of the world. While the specific requirements and opportunities may vary by country and park, here are some general insights and suggestions for international students seeking seasonal work in national parks.

United States

In the United States, the National Park Service (NPS) offers various seasonal jobs and internships in numerous national parks across the country, from Maine to Guam and Alaska. International students with the proper documentation, such as a J-1 visa, can participate in volunteer programs or find short-term employment opportunities. The J-1 visa program allows college students or recent graduates to work full-time for up to three months while travelling in the US. However, it's important to note that J-1 visa restrictions prevent international volunteers from certain paid positions, such as those involving maintenance, fee collection, camp hosting, or trail work. Instead, international volunteers on a J-1 visa should look for volunteer openings that offer professional training, such as visitor services, interpretive programs, search and rescue, wildlife management, and more.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, in particular, has a history of hiring international workers, including J-1 students, for seasonal jobs. The park's concession companies, such as Xanterra, offer a range of employment opportunities, with some jobs starting as early as mid-April and running until mid-October or even early November. International students from various countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Ecuador, have filled early and late-season gaps in staffing. Sponsoring agencies and overseas job fairs also facilitate the recruitment of international students for these seasonal positions.

Internship Opportunities

The NPS offers several internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students, including the Latino Heritage Internship Program and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program. These internships typically last for 10 to 12 weeks during the summer, with potential extensions through the school year. Interns can explore various interest areas, such as natural and cultural resource management, interpretation, public affairs, history, communication, business, and more. The NPS also provides a living stipend, housing or housing stipend, and travel expenses for out-of-state students.

Volunteer Opportunities

In addition to internships, the NPS and individual national parks offer volunteer positions that international students can explore. The US Student Conservation Association occasionally provides support to international volunteers participating in NPS programs. It's important to note that volunteer positions typically require a commitment of 40 hours per week and are meant to provide training and valuable experience rather than a working vacation.

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