Trail Crew Construction and Maintenance Intern - Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Start/End Dates: November 2, 2026 - October 1, 2027 (50 Weeks)
Compensation: $640 per week, plus park housing, round-trip travel assistance to the site, and gear support. Medical insurance is available upon request.
Application Due: September 4, 2026

 Environment for the Americas in partnership with Golden Gate National Recreation Area seeks to engage young professionals in resource management careers. To participate, you must: 

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident

• Be between the ages of 18 - 30 (35 if a veteran)

• Undergo a background check if selected

• Have a valid driver’s license to operate a government vehicle

• Have access to a personal vehicle, which is recommended for this position

Position Description: 

• Assist park staff with the construction of erosion-control structures, such as wood and rock retaining walls, steps/staircases, post and cable and split-rail fences.

• Assist park staff with routine maintenance duties such as brushing trails with power equipment, clearing out water drains and outsloping to reduce erosion on trails.

• Keep and complete a detailed weekly work log of all projects and work accomplished in the field.

• Make safety a priority; responsible for use of personal protective gear and ensuring that all tools, equipment, vehicles, and other co-workers are working safely.

• Follow instructions from park staff, and understand and respect all park regulations and policies.

• Work with a professional attitude as part of a team, and occasionally help lead volunteer groups.

• Attend, develop, and lead weekly safety meetings.

Qualifications

Required:

• Familiarity and/or desire to learn how to operate hand and power tools to perform trail work including, but not limited to: power drill, rock bar, shovel, hedgers, and other trail maintenance tools.

• Ability and/or desire to experience trail maintenance and construction work, including but not limited to: installation of trail features (benches, fences, bridges, etc.); removal of brush and vegetation; redirection of water on trails, drainage dips, and swales; and installation of water bars and retaining walls.

• Desire to learn natural and cultural history of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the role of trails in protecting these resources.

Housing 

Housing is bunkhouse-style at Fort Cronkhite, Marin Headlands, in Marin County. Housing is rustic. Each intern has a private bedroom with shared common areas. Each housing unit can accommodate ~ 8 people. Housing is walking distance to the main office and other facilities. There are no stores or other conveniences within the park, but they are located nearby in the town of Sausalito and City of San Francisco.

Physical/Natural Environment:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the largest urban parks in the world. The recreation area stretches across three counties in California’s San Francisco Bay Area: Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo. In total, the legislative boundary of the park comprises more than 80,000 acres of land and ocean waters, with 18,500 acres directly managed by GOGA.

The park is part of the California floristic province which is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. It is also home to many different habitat types and a large diversity of plant and animal species. Many rare species are found within Golden Gate National Recreation Area including 37 federally threatened or endangered species including the mission blue butterfly, northern spotted owl, and California red-legged frog. Golden Gate National Recreation Area also preserves 91 miles of shoreline, and includes the nearshore waters within ¼ mile of the coast.

Weather ranges from dry summers (with occasional fog) to wet and cold in the winter. 

Work Environment:

We work year-round, al