Position Summary
The Rock Island District’s Mississippi River Project invites applications for its Student Conservation Association (SCA) Internship program. The Project is a large-scale, multipurpose project spanning 314 miles of the Upper Mississippi River from Guttenberg, Iowa, to Saverton, Missouri. Its core mission balances the needs of a vital commercial navigation channel with robust environmental stewardship and public recreation programs. The office is in Pleasant Vally, Iowa and adjacent the Quad Cities metro area, a vibrant bi-state region with a population of nearly 400,000 people. Interns will serve as active team members supporting the Recreation and Environmental Stewardship missions, providing outreach and ranger assistance.
Location
Pleasant Valley, IA
Schedule
May 11, 2026 - August 28, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Interns will support multiple aspects of Natural Resources Management at the Project. The duties may include
• Recreation & Visitor Services: Interacting with the public within recreation areas, performing light grounds maintenance, and cleaning of park facilities to ensure a positive visitor experience.
• Environmental Stewardship: Aiding activities such as conducting forest inventories, monitoring forest management sites, maintaining tree plantings, and GPS data collection. • Public Education & Outreach: Assisting staff at the Mississippi River Visitor Center, and leading guided tours of the dam. Housing is not provided at the site for this position. Rather a monthly housing allowance is provided to enable the members to secure housing in the local area.
Marginal Duties
• Supporting volunteers • Boundary line walking, documentation of boundary encroachments • Presenting water safety programs • Controlling invasive species
Required Qualifications
• U.S. Citizenship • Must be 18 years of age; • Must possess and maintain valid driver’s license; • Must wear required attire by SCA attire while on duty;
Preferred Qualifications
• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Biology, Parks and Recreation, or a related field. • Experience with small engine machine operations i.e. string trimmers, lawn mowers, UTVs • Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks. • Public speaking and communication skills.
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Housing is not provided.
Compensation
Living Allowance - $400/week; Commuting Allowance - $75/week; Housing Allowance - $1,000/month; To/From site travel expense reimbursement - $650*
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
*SCA positions with the US Army Corps of Engineers will receive a To/From Site travel reimbursement that reflects the actual roundtrip travel costs from their 'home' to the site. The reimbursement amount is based upon total distance (mileage) travelled and current federal per diem rates. Members are required to submit an expense report to SCA with documented round-trip travel costs for reimbursement. The requested reimbursement amount is capped at $650.
Personal Vehicle Information
Recommended
Additional Benefits
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.