NPS Structural Fire Protection Internship

The National Park Service (NPS) Structural Fire Protection Internship provides students enrolled in fire protection engineering, fire administration, or fire investigation degree programs an opportunity to gain practical work experience that will augment academic training related to the duties of a fire protection technician. Interns will support efforts to establish and maintain an effective structural fire prevention and protection program, reducing the risks of death, injury, property loss, and damage to historic collections from the effects of structure fires. Positions are located at NPS sites across the United States.

Interns will not be performing wildland or structural firefighting activities.

As a NPS Structural Fire Protection Intern, you may be responsible for the following duties, which can vary by park location:

• Perform annual fire and life safety building inspections.
• Develop evacuation plans.
• Assist with the development of inspection, testing, and maintenance plans for fire protection systems.
• Conduct training classes on portable fire extinguishers.
• Perform monthly portable fire extinguisher checks.
• Establish a fire hydrant inspection and flow test program.
• Establish a hot work permit program.
• Revise a park's structural fire management plan (SFMP).
• Assess the fire protection of a historic building and make recommendations for protecting the building from structure fire better in the future.

Additional tasks will be specific to each work site.

More information about this internship opportunity can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/articles/structural-fire-protection-internships.htm

More information about the NPS Structural Fire Program can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1231/index.htm

This 10-week internship can have flexible starting and ending dates from May 17 - August 30, 2026.

Applicants are U.S. citizens seeking a four-year degree in the following degree programs: fire protection engineering, fire protection administration, fire services administration, or fire investigation degree programs. A driver’s license is required to drive government vehicles. A background investigation will be required to gain access to government computer systems. A personal vehicle is needed to travel to and from work and travel to town for amenities, such as groceries. Most parks do not have public transportation available. Applicants should have good communication skills (oral and written) and be able to work as a member of a team.

Apply online on the SCA website provided.

Career Site

Interns will be located at National Park Service sites across the United States.