Trout Unlimited and the Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNFs) are recruiting Wilderness Outreach Interns for the 2024 summer season to educate and engage the public about responsible behavior while recreating in and on the HMNFs congressionally designated Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area (NDWA) and Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs). These protected areas are popular for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, paddling, and nature study and wildlife viewing. The area has been experiencing a steady increase in recreational use over the past decade. NDWA and the WSRs are subject to the negative impacts of high use including poor sanitation, illegal fire and parking, and a degraded visitor experience. The selected individual(s) will be primarily making off-forest visitor contacts at Visitors Centers, Outdoor Stores, Event/Festivals, and contributing to digital media campaigns. Interns will spend time on the Huron-Manistee National Forest taking photos and interacting with District personnel to develop campaigns regarding specific concerns to NDWA and the WSRs. Interns will be responsible for creating, editing, and publishing public information outreach utilizing direct/face to face, social media, photography, videography, radio, broadcast, and traditional methods to inform and educate visitors on responsible behavior while in the Forest.

This position typically works during normal business hours Monday-Friday, with some Saturdays in May – August for special events, 32- 40 hours per week. Wilderness Outreach Interns will have access to a vehicle for travel purposes. They will have opportunities to participate with the District’s developed recreation and trail crews to gain a wider variety of experience as well as with Trout Unlimited staff to participate in various projects. The duty location is Cadillac, MI, at the HMNF Supervisor’s Office, with the Public Affairs team. The surrounding forest area provides vast opportunities for outdoor recreation pursuits including world-class fishing, floating, hiking, biking, and camping. Housing may be available, depending on availability. This position is not eligible for benefits.  

All training required for this position will be provided by the Forest Service. This training includes: First Aid/CPR, Boater’s Training, and Defensive Driving. Additional Forest Service training that the interns may be interested in is available if it is being offered locally.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Make off-forest visitor contacts at Visitors Centers, Outdoor Stores, Event/Festivals, with interaction with on-forest interns at the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area on the Huron-Manistee National Forests

· Develop and distribute content for public outreach utilizing direct/face to face, social media, photography, videography, radio, broadcast, and traditional methods to inform and educate visitors on responsible behavior while in the forest and at the nationally designated Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area

· Interface with stakeholders, outdoor recreation retailers, festivals/events, and on-forest staff

· Promote examples of properly entering and leaving forest area with invasive species material

· Discuss potential safety issues or hazards the public may encounter due to high water, potential bad weather, etc. 

· Promote Leave No Trace principles to make sure that user’s experience is a good one but not at the cost of anyone else’s experience

· Answer questions that the public has about Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Huron-Manistee National Forests in general

· Additional duties include participating in virtual sessions with stakeholder groups and building on the outreach program started in 2021

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. 

• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as both a team player and independently 
• Passion for protecting and restoring Michigan’s natural areas