Ecological Monitoring & Public Engagement Support

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.

Major duties

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.

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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment To participate in this Program, you must:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad
• 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 throughout the 90 day Semester of Service opportunity. Students graduating before May 1, 2027 are not eligible. Selectees will be responsible for contacting a school official to sign a Semester of Service approval form indicating you are currently enrolled at least half-time and in good academic standing. Qualifying educational institutions must be located within the United States.
• Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
• Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
• Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and your academic institution.
• Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
• Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
• Not be a current federal employee. Current federal employees can reach out to the contact below to inquire about job detail opportunities.