Through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Integrated Fire and Recreation Internship is a full-time, paid 16-week program designed to provide young adults with valuable training and certifications to start their conservation careers in wildland firefighting.
Hands-On Experience: Dive into critical fire and recreation management tasks, from wildfire response to trail maintenance.
Professional Training: Receive essential certifications, including wildland firefighting and work capacity testing.
Career Launchpad: Build a strong foundation for a career in conservation and environmental science.
Applications for the 2026 season are now open! See below.
The SCA seeks participants for the 2026 Integrated Fire and Recreation Program.
Program participants will work alongside U.S. Forest staff to assist with both fire and recreation work, including, but is not limited to, site preparation for prescribed burning, equipment and facilities maintenance, construction of fire lines using hand tools, landscaping of developed recreation areas, interacting with forest visitors and answering questions, monitoring and maintaining roadside campsites, and assisting with facilities maintenance.
Additional duties include fire suppression as needed, fuel management as needed, trail maintenance, hazard tree management in recreation sites, and working at the Visitor Center. Other resource management activities with program areas outside of fire and recreation may be assigned.
Both a personal vehicle and passing the Work Capacity Test (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters at the arduous level is required.
Dates: Jan. 18, 2026 – May 9, 2026 Pay: $600/wk.
Apply Now
The National Park Service (NPS) Structural Fire Protection program provides students enrolled in fire protection engineering, fire administration, or fire investigation degree programs an opportunity to gain practical work experience that will augment academic training related to the duties of a fire protection technician.
Participants will support efforts to establish and maintain an effective park structural fire prevention and protection program, reducing the risks of death, injury, property loss, and damage to historic collections from the effects of structure fires.
Positions are located at NPS sites across the United States.
Dates: May 17 – July 25, 2026 Pay: $467/wk.
Apply Now
The SCA seeks crew members for the 2026 Table Rock Fire Crew in South Carolina.
This dynamic and immersive opportunity is for those interested in wildland firefighting, prescribed fire, and caring for public lands.
The team will consist of up to two crew leaders and six crew members under the supervision of the U.S. Forest Service. The crew will ne based near Clemson, S.C., with regular travel throughout the southeastern U.S and potential to travel nationally.
Dates: Jan. 19 – Aug. 29, 2026 Pay: $$600/wk.
Apply NowDates: Jan. 18, 2026 – May 9, 2026
Internship starts with two weeks training followed by 14 week placement in the field.
$600/wk. living allowance
$1000/mo. housing or monthly housing allowance provided
Hands-on experience
$1,100 travel allowance paid once
Additional payment based on amount of active duty fire work with the U.S. Forest Service
Red card certification (Wildland Fire)
If internship is completed, interns will earn the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority giving them eligibility to apply to merit vacancy announcements for two years.
Likely potential to extend internship
Training and skill-building needed to effectively compete for permanent positions throughout the Region.
U.S. Citizen; Ages 18-30 years of age
Personal vehicle required for service at all locations
A Health Screening Questionnaire will be required from each member after hire
All members will be required to receive a physical via Acuity Health (hired candidates will have no out-of-pocket costs for physical)
Work Capacity Test (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a condition of employment.
The Arduous fitness (Pack) Test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack.
Under close supervision, receive on-the-job training in fire suppression and prevention
Assist with fuel management fire suppression such as fireline construction and backfiring
Move dirt, chop brush, or fell small trees to build fireline using hand tools
Patrol fireline to location and extinguish sparks, flare-ups and hot spot fire
Perform other resource management activities as assigned
Recreation/trails duties
Amanda DuPrey
Program Coordinator – National Initiatives
The Student Conservation Association, Inc.
Email: aduprey@thesca.org
Manage and mentor junior program participants working outdoors at sites in various states.
Hyper-local community service projects in a city near you.
Wildland fire hazardous fuels reduction.
Conservation internships for a variety of fields.
Join our community of supporters who care deeply about preserving parks, public lands and urban green spaces.
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