Forestry Intern - Michaux Forest District (High School)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Fayetteville (PA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Forestry Intern in Franklin County for the 2026-2027 school year. You will gain hands-on exposure to forest maintenance, recreation oversight, and conservation practices within the Michaux Forest District.

Interns will engage in fieldwork, learn from experienced staff, and support design and coordination tasks across state forests. This is a high school internship with varied schedules and no telework option.

Qualifications

• Internship requirements: must be at least 16 years old and enrolled as a junior or senior in high school during the 2026-2027 school year.
• Letter of Recommendation from school official indicating eligibility for the internship.
• Work Permit required for minors and acceptance implies agreement to Commonwealth internship program.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance Processes: learn procedures for state forest buildings, roads, trails, access areas, and signs.
• Natural Areas Management: learn care methods for wild and natural area zones.
• Recreation Oversight: assist with trails and recreation areas such as hiking, ATV, and snowmobile routes.
• Design Support: assist with facility and infrastructure design procedures including specification writing and material purchasing.
• Project Coordination: help coordinate schedules between maintenance divisions and local government partners.
• Safety Practices: study safety measures used across state forests and related areas.

Skills

Forest maintenance

Trail management

Safety practices

Coordination with partners

Education

High school student (junior/senior)

Job description

Salary

$17.88 Hourly

Location

Franklin County, PA

Job Type

Internship

Job Number

N-2026-60185

Department

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Division

CN Fors Dstr #1

Opening Date

10/09/2026

Closing Date

10/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

U2540

Position Number

50705375

Union

Non-Union

Bargaining Unit

98

Pay Group

XH28

Bureau / Division Code

00388101

Bureau / Division

Michaux Forest District

Worksite Address

10099 Lincoln Way East

City

Fayetteville, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17222

Contact Name

EP, CE Internships

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Discover what it means to protect the places people love! As a Forestry Intern with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will explore forest care, recreation support, and conservation practices. You will gain hands‑on experience that shows how natural spaces are managed. Become part of a team that works every day to preserve Pennsylvania forests for the future!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role provides an introduction to forest maintenance, conservation practices, and the operations that support Pennsylvania state forests. As a Forestry Intern, you will perform the following duties:

• Maintenance Processes: Gain knowledge of procedures for state forest buildings, roads, trails, access areas, and signs
• Natural Areas Management: Learn methods for caring for wild and natural area zones
• Recreation Oversight: Support management of trails and recreation areas such as hiking, ATV, and snowmobile routes
• Design Support: Assist with understanding facility and infrastructure design procedures including specification writing and material purchasing
• Project Coordination: Help coordinate schedules between maintenance divisions and local government partners
• Safety Practices: Study important safety measures used across state forests and related areas

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This is a high school internship for the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Senior enrolled in High School 2026-2027 - The internship could be for the 2026-2027 school year until 6/30/2027.
  • Junior enrolled in High School 2026-2027 - The internship could be for the 2026-2027 school year, summer 2027, and 2027-2028 school year
• Work schedule will vary based on agreement between high school and the Commonwealth location.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Internship Requirements:

• You must be at least 16 years of age at time of hire.
• You must be a junior or senior enrolled in high school during the 2026 - 2027 school year.
• Letter of Recommendation: You must attach a Letter of Recommendation from your school's co‑op coordinator, career or guidance counselor, or similar designated school professional indicating that you meet your school's requirements and are being recommended for this opportunity.

Additional Requirements:

• Work Permit: Minors will be required to submit their Work Permit upon acceptance of this position.
• By participating in this program, the student and school agree to the use of the Commonwealth's Training Plan, Statement of Responsibilities, and Student Performance Evaluation. Forms will be provided to the student upon acceptance of this position.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.