Individual Placement - Recreation Aide Sandy Lake

Student Conservation Association

About The Position

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the leading Federal provider of outdoor recreation and attracts over 335 million visitors annually at 403 water resources development projects operated in 43 states. Visitor safety as well as stewardship of the natural resources are several of the primary missions in the management of these projects. Learn more about the St. Paul District recreation sites at: https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/ Location McGregor, MN - Sandy Lake Schedule May 18, 2026 - September 4, 2026 Key Duties and Responsibilities Interns are to provide assistance in the implementation of the Corps campground, recreation, and natural resources management including assisting park rangers at park offices and visitor use areas to disseminate information about the area, assist with answering basic questions about camping reservations, assisting with campground check-ins/check-outs, updating bulletin boards, working on interpretive displays, stocking and distributing informative material in information centers. Work will be performed cooperatively with USACE permanent staff, volunteers, and other county, state and federal partners, in both independent and team settings. Marginal Duties SCA interns may also be asked to conduct interpretive programs at the recreation areas and may also assist with setting up and staffing water safety booths and parades at county/state/special event fairs, while representing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Light maintenance tasks may be required in recreation areas including but not limited to painting, mowing, weed whipping, litter clean-up, leaf blowing, sign installation, native garden plantings/bed maintenance, light facility cleaning, and other general landscaping and park maintenance tasks. SCA interns may assist park rangers with natural resources management tasks including invasive species control activities, pollinator habitat improvements, wildlife habitat improvements, project boundary inspections and clearing, as well as park trail maintenance. SCA interns may be asked to drive UTV’s/ATV’s, government vehicles, golf carts, and other site equipment – training to be provided if deemed necessary by the location.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license
Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent
Must have the ability to effectively speak, read, and write in English
Must have the ability to work outdoors and lift up to 50 pounds
Must wear SCA-provided attire while on duty.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather
Knowledge of computers, tablets, and other electronic devices
Familiarity with groundskeeping equipment such as lawn mowers & weed whips
Experience driving ATVs/UTVs
Experience with public speaking and presenting interpretive programming
Willingness and ability to work well independently and as a team
Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail
A positive attitude
Valid driver’s license and the ability to report on time to the site office
Team members may be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays up to 40 hours per week.

Responsibilities

Assisting park rangers at park offices and visitor use areas to disseminate information about the area
Assist with answering basic questions about camping reservations
Assisting with campground check-ins/check-outs
Updating bulletin boards
Working on interpretive displays
Stocking and distributing informative material in information centers
Conduct interpretive programs at the recreation areas
Assist with setting up and staffing water safety booths and parades at county/state/special event fairs
Painting
Mowing
Weed whipping
Litter clean-up
Leaf blowing
Sign installation
Native garden plantings/bed maintenance
Light facility cleaning
General landscaping and park maintenance tasks
Invasive species control activities
Pollinator habitat improvements
Wildlife habitat improvements
Project boundary inspections and clearing
Park trail maintenance