| Location | San Juan, PR |
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Ecological Monitoring & Public Engagement Support
Department of the Interior
National Park Service
San Juan National Historic Site
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Summary
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency''s strategic priorities.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency''s strategic priorities.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
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Accepting applications
This job will close when we have received 25 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
San Juan, PR
3 vacancies
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $0 - $0 without compensation Pay scale & grade
GS 00
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Part-time Travel Required Not required
Appointment type Internships
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No
Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number CAHT-27-13086296-DE-RM Control number 888725200
This job is open to
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Students
Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.
Clarification from the agency
Open to students currently accepted for enrollment, seeking a diploma/degree in high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution on a full or half-time basis as defined by the educational institution.
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Duties
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Location: San Juan National Historic Site, 501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan PR 00901
Work Schedule and Flexibilities: Students will volunteer 20 hours per week over a minimum of 90 days aligned with academic calendars. Work may be conducted in-person at the San Juan National Historic Site or combining field sampling, lab work, and communication
In office (or work site) only
Number of Positions: 3
Term: Spring 2027 (90 day term between mid-January and mid-June)
This vacancy will be open until Thursday, October 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET or until 25 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
The project will take place at San Juan National Historic Site (SAJU), a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in coastal Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The environment is characterized by warm and humid tropical conditions ranging between 80-95°F, uneven limestone terrain, coastal cliffs, historic fortifications, dense urban vegetation, and areas with archaeological sensitivity. The park receives more than 1.3 million visitors annually and serves as a cultural symbol for local communities and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Essential services, laboratories, and transportation are available within two kilometers of the site. Students should expect field exposure to sun, heat, slippery stone surfaces, and low-level risks associated with native, endemic, and invasive wildlife.
Students assigned to the Natural and Ecology Resources Specialist role will examine ecological conditions throughout the park through structured field observations and environmental sampling. Work involves monitoring bird populations, documenting wildlife behavior, conducting vegetation assessments, and collecting soil and water samples to evaluate environmental quality and ecological trends. Students will measure physical parameters such as moisture, pH, conductivity, turbidity, and nutrient indicators to establish baseline data for resource management. Approximately fifty-five percent of the work occurs outdoors, while the remaining activities take place in office or lab settings for data organization, basic statistical interpretation, and the preparation of scientific summaries.
Students assigned to the Scientific Communication and Environmental Education Specialist role will translate scientific findings into public-facing communication strategies designed to increase awareness of natural and cultural resource management. Duties include synthesizing ecological monitoring results, creating interpretive materials, assisting in community engagement activities, and developing accessible content that supports visitor understanding. Work may involve documenting field activities, preparing bilingual educational materials, and enhancing digital communication platforms related to conservation. Roughly thirty percent of the work involves field verification of environmental topics, with the remainder focused on office or laboratory tasks connected to communication product development.
Across both roles, students may support invasive species documentation-including green iguana impacts on vegetation, soils, and structural areas of the fortifications-through observational mapping, documenting burrow sites, and assisting with ecological impact assessments. All assignments emphasize developing professional judgment, strengthening scientific literacy, and contributing meaningful, non-duplicative support to park resource management. Students will produce clearly defined deliverables and follow structured milestones under supervision.
The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency''s strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Conditions of employment
To participate in this Program, you must:
Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs.
Applicants should demonstrate interest in environmental monitoring, scientific communication, or natural resource stewardship.
Students from biology, ecology, environmental sciences, forestry, wildlife biology, veterinary sciences, communication, journalism, or public affairs programs are preferred, though no specific major is required.
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.
Additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated by Department of Interior personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the project manager for review.
Benefits
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This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
Required documents
Required Documents
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To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package by 10/29/2026 which includes:
Your resume (two or fewer pages). Note: Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your resume MUST include:
Your experience including start and end dates.
Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
Any knowledge, skills or abilities you''ve gained through education that relate to the project.
Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a college, university, or other accredited educational institution. Transcripts or a certificate of enrollment are preferred.
How to Apply
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To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 10/29/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52879898157843-How-to-see-your-application-and-job-status/.
Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations should be sent to the vacancy contact listed below.
Agency contact information
Semester of Service
Phone 000-000-0000 Email pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov Address San Juan National Historic Site
501 Calle Norzagaray
San Juan, PR 00901
US
Next steps
Once your online application is received you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.
You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package by 10/29/2026 which includes:
Your resume (two or fewer pages). Note: Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your resume MUST include:
Your experience including start and end dates.
Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
Any knowledge, skills or abilities you''ve gained through education that relate to the project.
Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a college, university, or other accredited educational institution. Transcripts or a certificate of enrollment are preferred.
How to Apply
Help
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 10/29/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52879898157843-How-to-see-your-application-and-job-status/.
Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations should be sent to the vacancy contact listed below.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
Semester of Service
Phone 000-000-0000 Email pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov Address San Juan National Historic Site
501 Calle Norzagaray
San Juan, PR 00901
US
Next steps
Once your online application is received you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.
You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
National Park Service
The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation''s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.
The mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about the National Park Service.
Agency contact information
Semester of Service
Phone 000-000-0000 Email pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov Address San Juan National Historic Site
501 Calle Norzagaray
San Juan, PR 00901
US
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what it''s like to work at National Park Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
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Summary
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency''s strategic priorities.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
This job will close when we have received 25 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
San Juan, PR
3 vacancies
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $0 - $0 without compensation Pay scale & grade
GS 00
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Part-time Travel Required Not required
Appointment type Internships
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No
Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number CAHT-27-13086296-DE-RM Control number 888725200
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