Forest Maintenance and Equipment Intern (High School)

If you are an ambitious high school student who is enrolled in a vo-tech trades program, the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) has an exciting opportunity for you to enhance your skills while providing valuable state forest maintenance! We are excited to welcome a Forest Maintenance and Equipment Intern who is interested in further developing your maintenance knowledge in a variety of essential areas such as trails and roadways, vehicles and equipment, and drainage structure management. This paid internship within the maintenance division of Sproul State Forest will allow you to refine your skills of the trade while helping to keep Pennsylvania forest lands green, safe, and well maintained! We look forward to meeting you!

As a Forest Maintenance and Equipment Intern, you will work with professional maintenance staff to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to assist in effectively maintaining state forest lands. Specific duties will entail building construction and repairs; grounds and trail maintenance; road repair; forest regeneration; wildlife management; maintenance for signage and state forest boundary lines; forest fire prevention; vegetation and fencing; and drainage structure management. You will also assist with and perform repairs to equipment and vehicles, such as cars, trucks, graders, backhoes, bulldozers, tractors, dump trucks, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), lawn mowers, and other grounds maintenance equipment. This exciting opportunity will allow you to increase your knowledge of standard tools and learn how they are used in a state forest environment. You will acquire an understanding of safety practices and be expected to operate in accordance with those guidelines.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Paid internship
  • For seniors currently enrolled in the 2025-2026 school year, this internship could last until 6/30/2026.
  • For juniors currently enrolled in the 2025-2026 school year, this internship could last for the 2025-2026 school year, summer 2026, and the 2026-2027 school year.
• Work schedule will vary based upon the agreement between the high school and the Commonwealth location.
• Internship locations are listed below and will be determined based on the selected candidate:
  • Snow Shoe Maintenance Division, 351 West Laurel Lane, Snow Shoe, PA 19874; or
  • Hyner/North Bend Maintenance Division, 37 Hyner Park Road, North Bend, PA 17760; or
  • Cooks Run Maintenance Division, 37 Cooks Run Road, Westport, PA 17778.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Internship Requirements:

• You must be at least 16 years of age by the internship start date.
• You must be a junior or senior currently enrolled in high school for the 2025 - 2026 school year.

Additional Requirements:

• You must attach a Letter of Recommendation from your school's co-op coordinator, career or guidance counselor, or similar designated school professional indicating you meet your school's requirements and are being recommended for this opportunity.
• You must be a vo-tech (career and technical center) student in an approved cooperative vocational training program that has prepared the student for the duties and the description of work described in this posting.
• Work Permit: Minors will be required to submit their Work Permit upon acceptance of this position.
• By participating in this program, the student and school agree to use the Commonwealth's Training Plan, Statement of Responsibilities, and Student Performance Evaluation. Forms will be provided to the student upon acceptance of this position.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.