Rocky Mountain Land Management Internship: Launch Your Career with the USDA Forest Service

Students work part-time with the Forest Service while earning a degree in Sustainability Studies or Ecosystem Science & Stewardship

Paid interns gain hands-on experience in public lands stewardship through part-time employment with the Forest Service, while pursuing a Bachelor’s in Sustainability Studies or Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Science & Stewardship.

The Rocky Mountain Land Management Internship program is a rigorous project-based internship co-developed by CMC faculty and the USDA Forest Service to train the next generation of land managers and natural resource specialists. And provide a pathway to employment.

Join this first-of-its kind in the nation, two-year paid internship program. Upon completion, you’ll have the competitive advantage of being considered an existing federal employee when applying for full-time jobs with the Forest Service or other federal land management agencies!

Work and study in the heart of Colorado’s national forests

Participants can base their internships at CMC’s Steamboat Springs, Leadville or Spring Valley campuses. All three locations provide access to exceptional CMC faculty and Forest Service supervisors, advanced coursework in the natural and physical sciences, and unparalleled access to Colorado’s montane ecosystems.

Working side-by-side with CMC faculty and Forest Service rangers, interns will participate in an intensive field-based learning and research experience in public lands stewardship. Forest Service work opportunities will focus primarily in recreation management, with an emphasis on remote and dispersed wilderness areas, highly developed recreation areas, and permitted operations, including ski resorts and guide services.

Work opportunities may include:

  • Ski area operations monitoring
  • Recreation event permitting and monitoring
  • Outfitter and guide permit review
  • Developed site monitoring and patrol
  • Public lands awareness campaigns and outreach efforts

Who should apply?

The Rocky Mountain Land Management Internship program is ideal for highly motivated individuals who are passionate about the stewardship, conservation, and sustainable use of our federal public lands.

Interns will emerge from the program with the skills, training, and experience necessary to meet the growing demand for recreation managers and natural resource specialists. Colorado Mountain College and the USDA Forest Service are your pathway to an exciting career in public lands stewardship.

The next internship cohort/class is 2023-25

The 2023-25 cohort application period opens February 1, 2023 and closes March 15, 2023.

How to Apply / Eligibility

Questions about the program can be directed to nlstewart@coloradomtn.edu.

Learn more about our mountain communities, unique campus locations, and partner forests here:

CMC Steamboat Springs and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests

CMC Leadville/CMC Spring Valley and White River National Forest

Awarded for Innovation

The USDA Forest Service awarded the RMLMI Program the Regional Forester’s Honor Award.

RMLMI Faculty

Meet the program Faculty