Work With Purpose
Join our team and make a real difference. Every sale, every guest interaction, and every store operation fuels the conservation of our nation’s natural and historic treasures. National Park jobs in the Black Hills and Nebraska Panhandle are still available despite federal cuts.
At Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, your daily work goes beyond retail — it’s a commitment to conservation and education. By joining us, you become part of a legacy that values environmental stewardship, community, and the love for nature.
- Directly contribute to park conservation and educational programs
- Inspiring work environment in national parks and forests
- Flexible roles designed for diverse life stages
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth in a mission-driven culture
Imagine starting your day surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of the Black Hills of South Dakota or the expansive prairies of Gering and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, knowing your efforts directly impact the preservation and enjoyment of these natural wonders. Whether you’re engaging with visitors, sharing knowledge about the parks’ unique features, or helping them find the perfect souvenir, your work makes a difference.
Current National Forest and National Park Jobs
Updated 7/30/2026
Education Program / Community Engagement Manager
Organization Headquarters (Custer, SD)
- Location: BHPFA headquarters in Custer, SD, with regular travel across the Black Hills and the Nebraska Panhandle
- Status: Full time, permanent, salary with select benefits
- Reports to: Executive Director/CEO
Black Hills Parks & Forests Association is the nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, the Black Hills National Forest, and the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. This position is responsible for the strategic development, execution, and evaluation of all of our educational, interpretive, and community outreach programming, and works directly with our National Park Service and USDA Forest Service partners.
What you will do:
- Direct, supervise, and mentor education staff, and direct and evaluate the Volunteer Coordinator
- Design, deliver, and evaluate fee-based and free educational programs and advanced field seminars for all ages
- Collaborate with agency staff and the Education Committee to plan and execute an annual interpretive plan
- Build partnerships with local libraries, community groups, and regional organizations, and plan or assist with community events, skill workshops, and youth initiatives
- Coordinate targeted outdoor workshops and affinity programs with national and local partners to engage underrepresented demographics
- Manage program participation from registration through program follow up in all database platforms, and search and apply for grants and other funding opportunities
- Annually review, update, and implement the program risk management and safety plans, and maintain attendance, demographic, and partner impact records for grant reporting and board updates
Certifications:
- Proof of a current background clearance, or willingness to submit to a background clearance, to work directly with minors
- Current in Wilderness First Aid and/or First Responder training, or willingness to attend and pass training within 6 months of hire
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Parks & Recreation Management, Environmental Science, Non-Profit Management, or equivalent life/field experience
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience coordinating educational programming, managing volunteers, or working within a non-profit/cooperating association ecosystem preferred
- High comfort level with database management tools (Salesforce, Donorbox), Google Workspace, and active use of AI materials and platforms. Must be willing to search out and learn new digital tools to be more efficient and effective.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to confidently present to diverse groups, ranging from young children in library settings to agency officials
- Proven resilience and flexibility to modify programming based on resource constraints, federal budget impacts, or seasonal land closures
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of program supplies, adapt to varied outdoor terrain, and work a flexible schedule including select weekends and evenings for full-moon hikes or community festivals
- Valid driver's license with access to a privately owned, insured vehicle for regional travel across South Dakota and the Nebraska Panhandle. Must be bondable.
A Mission That Matters: Apply Today
Ready to join our team and start making a difference? Here's how you can apply:
Download Employment Application
Contact Information:
- Email: Nikki Masek at [email protected]
- Phone: 605-745-7020
Seasonal and store application process:
- Fill out the Employment Application, and email it to Nikki Masek at [email protected]
- Follow-Up: After submitting your application, you may be contacted for an interview.
Management and year-round application process:
- Send a resume and a cover letter to Patty Ressler at [email protected], with the position title in the subject line.
- Applications are reviewed as they arrive.
At BHPFA, every job preserves nature and history. Whether you're serving guests in our park stores or leading teams as a store manager, your efforts fund real conservation projects and support public education.
Working for BHPFA has been an incredible journey. As a former park ranger, I wanted to stay connected to public lands, and this nonprofit gave me that opportunity. I started as the Nebraska Area Manager, growing into an HQ leadership role… proof that passion for parks can turn into a career. Here, every day supports places I love.
Locations that we staff:
- Wind Cave National Park — Hot Springs, South Dakota
- Jewel Cave National Monument — Custer, South Dakota
- Scotts Bluff National Monument — Gering, Nebraska
- Organization Headquarters and Black Hills Nature Store — Custer, South Dakota
