Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship
The Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship (YLPSI) is a full-time, immersive experience designed to prepare students for leadership roles in environmental stewardship, public lands management, and civic engagement.
Through hands-on work with the National Park Service and partner organizations, interns gain professional skills, deepen their leadership capacity, and contribute meaningfully to Yosemite National Park and surrounding public lands.
Eligibility Requirements
To be accepted into the Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship, applicants must:
- Be a current UC Merced student or a former participant in a Yosemite youth program (e.g., Youth Conservation Corps, NatureBridge, WildLink, Parks in Focus, Youth Ancestral Stewards).
- Be available for the full 12-week internship from May 18 – August 7, 2026.
- Be at least 18 years old by May 18, 2026.
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident.
- Be willing to complete a background check and drug testing.
- Possess, or be willing to obtain, a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Note: To qualify for non-competitive Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) with the federal government, interns must be enrolled as a student during the internship and in Fall 2026. Students graduating in Spring 2026 may apply but are not eligible for DHA.
Internship Opportunities
Applicants rank their internship preferences during the application process.
- Bear Diet Researcher – Wildlife Management
- Medical Clinic Centennial Historian – Yosemite Medical Clinic / NPS Archives
- Communications Intern – Yosemite Conservancy
- Cultural Resource Intern – Division of Resources Management & Science
- Indian Cultural Demonstrator – Interpretation & Education
- Merced River Ecological Restoration Intern – Vegetation & Restoration
- Plant Ecology Associate – Vegetation & Ecological Restoration
- Tribal Relations Intern – Cultural Resource Branch
Application Components
- Completed applicant information and ranked internship preferences
- Resume
- Written responses (1–2 pages total)
- Proof of academic good standing (transcript or grade report)
- Optional but encouraged letter of recommendation
Written response prompts include:
- Why are you interested in the Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship?
- What leadership traits do you bring, and when have you demonstrated them?
- Describe a time you worked on a team and helped achieve shared goals.
- Describe a time you stepped outside your comfort zone to pursue a meaningful goal.
Submission & Questions
Submit all application materials via email with the subject line: “YLPSI 2026 Application – Your Name”
Email applications and questions to:
yose_education@nps.gov
Christine_Serrano-Hernandez@partner.nps.gov
