Job Description

The Fort Randall Project, a significant undertaking by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), culminated in the creation of the Fort Randall Dam and its expansive reservoir, Lake Francis Case. Lake Francis Case extends roughly 107 miles up the Missouri River valley from Pickstown to just downstream of Big Bend Dam in south-central SD and has over 540 miles of shoreline covering approximately 102,000 acres. Lake Francis Case provides many recreational opportunities to area residents as well as out-of-state travelers. Activities include picnicking, camping, hunting, trapping, nature walking, wildlife photography, touring the dam and related facilities and visiting historic and interpretive sites. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the leading Federal provider of outdoor recreation and attracts over 335 million visitors annually at 403 water resources development projects operated in 43 states. The USACE's natural resource missions can be broadly categorized into environmental stewardship, recreation management, and environmental compliance and restoration. The overarching goal of USACE is to manage, conserve, and improve these resources and the environment while providing quality public outdoor recreation for present and future generations. Fort Randall interns, under the supervision of USACE staff and Park Rangers, will gain valuable hands-on experience in natural resource management, public outreach, and recreational operations.

Location

Pickstown, SD

Schedule

May 11, 2026 - August 28, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports daily recreation area operations with an emphasis on facility and grounds maintenance, cleanliness, and visitor assistance and support.
• Public outreach activities to include Visitor Center staffing, assisting with Powerhouse tours, maintenance/cleanup visitor center facilities, and providing general information to the public in terms of safety practices, the local area, dam/river operations and applicable laws and regulations.
• Trail work to include interpretive panel installation, clearing obstructions, resurfacing trail segments, tree planting, and maintenance of other trail features.
• General tasks such as installing split rail fencing, light maintenance, painting, installation of signage, GSA vehicle maintenance, and minor repairs at historic and recreational sites.
• Natural Resource Management: natural resource inventories/surveys, threatened & endangered species monitoring, invasive species survey/removal, and wildlife habitat management.

Marginal Duties

• Boundary Management & GIS Data: Collecting and inputting GIS data, and assisting with boundary management.
• Administrative Tasks: Assembling reports, compiling data, and creating charts/tables.
• Assist with conducting cultural resource surveys, historic research, and archiving of historic records.
• Assist in shoreline surveys and site inspections.

Required Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Provision to get to and from work (personal vehicle).
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 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.
• Placements must have a strong work ethic, be able to manage time effectively, be able to work at times without direct supervision, and be able to work in a team as well as alone.
• Must follow all health and safety policies and procedures, including any changes that are implemented throughout the course of the internship.
• Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations, such as project partners, staff, stakeholders, volunteers, youth and the public.
• Willingness to work a 40-hour work week with shifts ranging from 8-10 hours, depending on work objectives.
• Shifts may occasionally increase to 12 hours but are not encouraged nor will they occur regularly.

Preferred Qualifications

• A positive attitude.
• Ability to serve effectively in strenuous outdoor environments and around water while maintaining attention to detail and safety.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and follow through on assigned tasks.
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to engage with diverse audiences.
• Commitment to teamwork, learning, and problem-solving.
• Ability to swim.
• Willingness to ride in and work from boats.
• Be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• Competency using Microsoft word and excel programs, and general computer literacy.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Housing is not provided

Compensation

• Living Allowance: $350/week
• Housing Allowance: $1,000/month
• Commuting Allowance: $75/week
• Up to $650 in reimbursable expenses for relocation

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Interpretive Skills
• 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.