ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The National Park Service Business Plan Internship (BPI) is a highly-selective summer program open to graduate students currently enrolled in business, public policy, environmental management, public administration, and related programs who want to create lasting social, economic, and environmental impact through their careers.
You’ll be matched with one or two other co-consultants and placed according to your skills and interests at a park unit, regional office, or Washington D.C. program office to address pressing financial or operational challenges. Recent projects have included:
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improving park financial sustainability and the visitor experience through innovative commercial service offerings,
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ensuring the sustainability of long-term public-private partnerships through operational analyses,
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achieving park priorities and economies of scale through holistic park asset management strategies.
While each project’s focus varies depending on client needs, all will challenge your analytical, communication, and project management skills in the best of ways, culminating in a presentation to decision-makers and leaders at the summer’s end.
Dates: This is an 11-week internship program, beginning Saturday, May 30th, 2026 through Friday, August 14, 2026. The program’s first week is a rigorous NPS orientation in one of the nation’s most beautiful parks with the entire cohort of 2026 Consultants!
Compensation: BPI participants receive a weekly stipend of $900.*
The BPI program reimburses transportation to training at the start of the program, meals during the on-site orientation, travel to the assigned project site, and travel from the project site to the consultant’s school or home at the end of the summer. Summer consultants are also reimbursed for any other work-related travel.
Each project site provides housing (the average value of this benefit is over $3,000), work computers, and office space. Access to a shared vehicle for work-related use is often included. Please note that summer consultants are responsible for providing their own transportation for the commute between their housing and work locations (as well as for personal adventuring).
*Many schools offer students additional funding for socially or environmentally focused summer internships. Check with your career services office for more information.
Application deadline: December 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government that manages all U.S. national park units, which includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Battlefields, and various other designations. The NPS was established on August 25, 1916, by Congress through the National Park Service Organic Act and is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. The NPS is charged with a dual role of preserving the natural and cultural resources and values of the places entrusted to its management while also making them available and accessible for public use and enjoyment.
Consultants who successfully complete the BPI program and meet the qualifications for federal employment earn the credential of National Park Service Conservation Fellow and become eligible for direct hire into positions within the NPS after they graduate. Since the BPI program was established in 1998, over 60 participants have joined the NPS in full-time roles.
LEARN MORE
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Register for an Info Session
ABOUT YOU
You have strong qualitative and quantitative analytical acumen, respect and empathy for diverse stakeholders, project management skills, interest or experience in consulting, strategic planning, and/or public sector management. You also have the desire to contribute to the future of our national parks by improving the parks and programs’ operational and financial health.
You have a curious and entrepreneurial mindset and are comfortable working in high-responsibility, high-autonomy settings.
You’re a fantastic communicator with strong presentation skills, able to distill complex ideas for broad accessibility and action.
Your interpersonal skills transcend departments or disciplines; you’re as comfortable collaborating with a Park Ranger as you are presenting to agency leadership and maintain professionalism in all interactions.
You’re enthusiastic about working in diverse (and potentially remote) project sites and advancing the work of the NPS to preserve and share the places and stories that are significant to our country.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and inclusive as our natural and cultural resources, so if you’re interested in this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.
Additional requirements
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US citizen
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Minimum of two years of full-time (i.e., non-internship) professional work experience
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Full-time graduate student at the time of application
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Anticipated date of graduate program completion must be December 2026 or later
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Availability for the entirety of program (May 30th to August 14th, 2026)
*please note that accommodations for early orientation dates for dual graduate program are limited -
Willingness to live in housing as assigned by Park staff, which may not be suitable for partners, children, or pets, or otherwise obtain housing independently
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Commitment and passion to use your professional training to advance the mission and values of the NPS
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Valid US driver’s license; many projects will require driving to field sites
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Understanding of and commitment to the mission of the National Park Service: “The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world”
*In accordance with Federal law, we are unable to consider applicants who do not meet the requirement for citizenship.
