Individual Placement - Water Safety Program Intern

Position Summary 

Intern will assist Hartwell Lake park rangers with water safety outreach and visitor related duties. The intern will provide assistance in the implementation of the Corps’ Water Safety Program by providing water safety outreach to park visitors, assisting in life jacket loaner program management, and through presenting water safety programs/education on- and off-site. Interns will also accompany and assist rangers during vehicle and boat patrols and perform facility inspections at campgrounds, day use areas, and boat ramps. Other duties may include recreation related work such as monitoring park usage/traffic, general communications with park visitors, campground/day use deliveries, updating bulletin boards, posting shelters, traffic counter readings, working on interpretive displays, stocking and distributing informative material, staffing information center in times of high visitation, and natural resource management activities. Light maintenance tasks may be required in recreation areas or other Corps lands and waters. The interns may also assist with setting up and staffing water safety booths at special events by providing water safety and lake information to the public, while representing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Daily tasks will include interacting with visitors, rangers, and park volunteers, water safety promotion/outreach, and telling the Corps story.

Location 

Hartwell, GA

Schedule 

May 18, 2026 - August 7, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Daily tasks will involve interacting with visitors, providing interpretation, recreation management, and helping tell the Corps story. Duties include:

• Providing water safety information/education/interpretation to park visitors at recreational areas
• Assisting in life jacket loaner program management and promotion
• Presenting water safety programs off-site (ex. schools, libraries, parks, special events, etc.) and at lake office.
• Updating bulletin boards, assisting with interpretive displays, stocking and distributing informational materials at multiple locations
• Assistance in Recreation related work such as monitoring park usage/traffic, campground/day use deliveries, posting shelters, and traffic counter readings.
• Answering general questions from the public.
• Weekend and Holiday work will be required.

Marginal Duties 

• Staffing information center, campground, and/or day use area gatehouses during periods of high visitation or unique situations
• Light maintenance tasks
• Answering general questions by phone
• Contributing to conservation work
• Assisting park ranger staff in general park ranger duties
• Conducting interpretive talks (in addition to water safety)

Required Qualifications 

• Must be at least 18 years old on start date.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Must complete defensive driving training provided by the government.
• Must have the ability to effectively speak, read, and write in English.
• Must have the ability to work outdoors and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must wear SCA provided attire while on duty.
• Comfortable working independently.
• Flexible schedule to work weekends and holidays, varying hours.
• Comfortable to engage with the public.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with the public

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing is not provided.

Compensation  

• $350 - weekly Living Allowance
• $75 – weekly Commuting Allowance
• $600 – monthly Housing Allowance
• $650 – relocation Travel Grant (if non-local)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR
• AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.