Individual Placement - Visitor Services Assistant Rathbun Lake

Intern Position at Rathbun Lake

Intern at Rathbun Lake will provide visitor assistance in the implementation of the US Army Corps of Engineer's visitor assistance program by informing lake visitors of day-use information and campground information. Interns will also support the public safety and natural resource management programs.

Location: Centerville, IA

Schedule: May 18, 2026 - September 4, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Daily tasks will include interacting with visitors, interpretation and telling the Corps' story. Environmental Stewardship duties include natural resource area inspections, boundary inspections, identifying desirable vegetation and noxious weeds, and GIS application with handheld devices.
• Providing interpretive talks to the visiting public.
• Assisting in the management of lake volunteer programs, including daily communication with volunteers, record-keeping volunteer hours, assigning volunteer tasks, and recording volunteer tasks.
• Accompanying rangers during vehicle and boat patrols.
• Updating bulletin boards, stocking and distributing informative material at PSA's, and staffing information centers in times of high visitation.
• Updating the public on lake and weather conditions via recorded daily voice messages and answering phone calls.
• Rathbun Lake will provide vehicle for on-site transportation providing intern has completed defensive driving training that will be provided by the Army Corps.

Marginal Duties

• Light maintenance tasks may be required to make repairs in recreation and natural resource areas.
• Replacing signs at PSA's
• Mowing/Weed Trimming
• Invasive species management
• Assisting rangers with prescribed fire management plan

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old on the 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Comfortable to engage with the public.
• Flexible schedule to work nights, weekends and Holidays

Hours: 40 per week

Living Accommodations: Housing is not provided.

Compensation

• $575 - weekly Living Allowance
• $50 – weekly Commuting Allowance
• $600 – monthly Housing Allowance
• $650 – To/From travel reimbursement* (if non-local)

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

• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Interpretive Skills
• Off-Road Vehicle Safety
• 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.