Description:
Bryce Canyon National Park's Law Enforcement Securities and Emergency Services Division is seeking 2 highly motivated, hard-working and personable students for a summer internship.
The Preventative EMS/Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician supports visitor and employee
safety through proactive education, emergency preparedness, and field response assistance on
public lands. This position focuses on preventing accidents and injuries by promoting safe
recreation practices, monitoring high-use areas, and assisting with medical or rescue incidents
when they occur. The role provides valuable experience in emergency response, wilderness
medicine, and public safety education, while supporting agency staff in maintaining a safe
and enjoyable environment for all visitors.
Position Responsibilities:
- Promote visitor safety through outreach and preventative education in high-use recreation areas.
- Patrol trails, campgrounds, and other public areas to assess visitor conditions and identify hazards.
- Assist with emergency medical response, first aid, and evacuation procedures under supervision of trained staff.
- Participate in search and rescue (SAR) operations as trained and authorized.
- Conduct safety briefings, visitor contacts, and basic risk assessments.
- Support data collection and reporting related to visitor incidents and field safety.
- Maintain and inspect first aid, SAR, and communication equipment.
- Coordinate with law enforcement, park rangers, and dispatch as needed during incidents.
- Participate in ongoing training in first aid, CPR, wilderness medicine, and SAR techniques.
- Assist with safety signage, emergency planning, and hazard mitigation projects.
- Support special events, trail work, or patrols that enhance public safety and awareness.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Must be age 18+
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Incoming, current, or recent SUU student preferred
Additional Qualifications:
- CPR and First Aid certification required (CPR class will be offered on site.)
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or EMT certification preferred.
- Coursework or experience in emergency medical services, outdoor recreation, park management, or public safety.
- Ability to remain calm and communicate effectively during emergencies.
- Strong physical fitness and ability to work in rugged outdoor conditions for extended periods.
- Knowledge of basic search and rescue procedures and radio communications preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort interacting with the public.
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in emergency management, recreation, or natural resource fields preferred.
- Students majoring in a medical field (EMS, Nursing, Health Science), or an emergency response field (EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire) will be given the greatest consideration. However, we will accept applications from any student who has the skills and mindset we are looking for. Applicants should have an interest in the outdoors and be willing to spend large amounts of time in extreme conditions. Interns will spend up to 6 hours per day outside in the park trail system.
Schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Housing:
Housing Available
Estimated START Date:
2026-05-01
Estimated END Date:
2026-08-31
Agency:
National Park Service
Location:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Things unique about this location/position
Staff and visitors alike are regularly taken aback by the astounding landscape that is Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon, but a series of natural amphitheaters or bowls, carved into the edge of a high plateau. While Bryce Canyon is an unparalleled place to live and work, it does have its own set of challenges.
We welcome over two million visitors annually. This visitation is concentrated to hiking adventures and viewpoints largely located along the 18-mile scenic drive, and the majority of visitors are coming from all levels of experience to hike a small selection of trails in the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. This is where you come in...
Emergency Medical Service:
Interns will assist emergency services staff with the planning and response to emergency medical situations. Interns will be expected to maintain equipment and provide logistical support for major emergency medical incidents. Interns will be provided CPR and first aid certifications if not already held. Interns will train side by side with certified EMTs and Paramedics. Interns will work to support care givers and be provided opportunities to help with patient care and receive hands-on training while dealing with sick and injured individuals.
Search & Rescue:
Interns will also support search and rescue operations in the park. Due to the high visitation and extreme conditions, park staff responds to a large number of rescue calls in and around the park. Typically, these responses require a large number of staff to use specialized equipment to help move visitors out of the rough and steep terrain. Interns will receive training towards a National Park Service Search & Rescue Technician Certification and be asked to support rescue operations regularly. These responses will include searching by foot on and off trail, manning a wheeled litter, providing crowd control, and assisting with response gear. Interns may also receive hands-on technical rope rescue training and advanced search and rescue training.
Preventative Search and Rescue:
Interns will have daily trail rove assignments in order to educate the general public on safe hiking practices, mitigate hiking related illness and incidents, and to be a presence of park ambassadorship at trailheads, trail junctions, on main amphitheater trails and backcountry trails. During a normal PSAR rove, interns will hike between 1-8 miles on assigned trails, focusing a significant amount of time at trailheads and trail junctions. On rare occasions, special assignments and emergency situations may increase this mileage up to 12 miles and include travel in the wilderness. Interns will also be assigned shifts at the visitor center front desk. Interns will be trained on providing thorough and accurate hiker safety messages that are presented in an informal and conversational setting.
Weather and Climate:
In summer the days tend to be pleasant, with daytime highs in June typically in the high 60's to mid 70's (F), high 70's to mid 80's in July and August, while September is similar to June. The rainy season occurs in July and August with frequent, usually brief, afternoon thunderstorms which produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. Snowstorms in April and October aren't uncommon and may produce heavy snowfall.
Bryce Canyon National Park elevations reach 9,100 feet (2778 meters). People with heart or respiratory
concerns should be especially careful to not overexert themselves.
Exposure:
Interns will be exposed to heat, sun, and other weather conditions including lightning. Outdoor
environment presents the possibility of coming into contact with spiny and poisonous plants, and desert animals including venomous snakes and non-venomous insects and reptiles. This position will require interns to spend ample time on their feet, standing for long periods of time, hiking on steep and uneven terrain, etc. Comfortable, supportive and appropriate-for-terrain footwear is a must. When assisting with Search and Rescue (SAR) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), there is potential for traumatic injuries.**