Seasonal Program Assistant 

Build Experience. Make Impact. Spend Your Summer with Purpose.

Permanent seasonal position 

Duration: Early to mid-May – early to mid-September (earlier end day possibly negotiable) 
Hours: 24–32 hours/week including some evenings and weekends.
Pay: $15/hour + potential park housing
Reports to: Executive Director
Works Closely With: Event and Program Manager 
Open: Until filled

Location Description

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 71,000-acre park featuring sand dunes, forests, rivers, inland lakes, miles of Lake Michigan beach and trails,  and two offshore islands. It also embraces an incredible and unique collection of 366 historic structures and cultural landscapes including a significant historic farming district and maritime buildings.

About the Role

Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear is a nonprofit park partner going on 30 years of service, preserving historic resources and connecting people to place — celebrating heritage, recreation, education, and community in preserving the resources of our National Lakeshore. The Seasonal Assistant plays a vital role in bringing this mission to life during our busiest and most vibrant season.

This position is ideal for applicants seeking seasonal meaningful work— whether you are:

• A college student looking for hands-on experience in event management, fundraising, recreation management, museum studies, or historic preservation
• In mid-career building experience in nonprofit and community-based work
• Or a retiree looking to remain actively engaged in the community who enjoys working with people, staying active, and contributing to a mission-driven nonprofit organization.

This is a permanent seasonal position with the opportunity to return each summer based on performance and organizational needs. There is potential opportunity for additional hours in the fall.

If you are energetic, organized, personable, and inspired by history and place-based storytelling, this role offers both professional growth and memorable experiences.

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What You’ll Do

Programs & Tours

• • Assist with preparation and facilitation of tours and programs.
  • Learn and confidently lead approved interpretive material for tours
  • Welcome visitors with warmth, professionalism, and enthusiasm
  • Manage registration and communicate with attendees
  • Prepare program spaces and be point person for guides, speakers and instructors
  • Learn and utilize registration software to support smooth program operations
  • Support school groups, and community presentations

Events & Community Engagement

• • Assist with event planning logistics, setup, and breakdown
  • Support speaker series, outdoor experiences, and special events
  • Help coordinate on-site guest services and materials
  • Contribute to fundraising and donor engagement initiatives
  • Serve as needed as Docent at Heritage Center

Administrative & Marketing Support

• Provide general administrative support
• Use Microsoft Office and Google Workspace tools for scheduling and communications
• Assist with website updates (WordPress experience a plus)
• Support basic graphic design projects (Canva or Adobe a plus)
• Maintain organized files, materials, and program supplies

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Who You Are

We are seeking candidates who are:

• • Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking with the public
  • Articulate and professional in demeanor
  • Organized, detail-oriented, and dependable
  • Creative problem solver
  • Able to work independently while also collaborating with a team
  • Interested in nonprofit work, history, preservation, interpretation, or education
  • Comfortable learning new software systems
  • Proficient in basic Microsoft and Google Workspace applications
  • Possess valid driver’s license
  • Graphic design skills and/or WordPress experience are a plus but not required.

Physical Requirements

This is an active position that includes:

• • Standing and walking for extended periods
  • Climbing stairs
  • Lifting and carrying 20–40 pounds
  • Outdoor work in variable summer weather
  • Comfortable sitting at a desk for extended periods while managing administrative tasks
  • Be comfortable around horses; ability to ride a bike

Training & Professional Development

• • First Aid and CPR certification provided
  • Experience in event coordination, visitor engagement, fundraising support, and program delivery
  • Exposure to mission-driven nonprofit management in a national park setting

To apply: Send cover letter confirming availability dates, housing needs, titles/phones of three work or college-related references to: Susan Pocklington, Executive Director at PHSBpark@gmail.com.

Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear is an equal opportunity employer