Individual Placement - National Capital Region Business Operations Fellow

Secret Shopper Program Assistant

The position will primarily assist with development and implementation of a "Secret Shopper" program for the area parks in support of Commercial Services Management team members. The position will frequently make planned daily travel trips to observe, engage, document, and report the quality and adequacy of NPS Commercial Services operations. In addition to regular pay, the Student Conservation Association will reimburse approved expenses associated with Commercial Services monitoring activities conducted under the implemented secret shopper program, including meals, admissions, tickets, rentals, and similar pre-approved expenses. The technical equipment required (e.g., a laptop computer, mobile phone, or similar) will be provided to support official duties. This position requires the ability to utilize personal credit/debit card for reimbursable duty related expenses.

Hosting Organization: NPS National Capital Region

Location: Washington, DC

Schedule: July 27, 2026 - July 23, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Program Monitoring (50%): Promote and support Commercial Services Management initiatives and help execute program goals.
• Work with NPS National Capital Regional Office and Area parks to start and develop a new "secret shopper" program based on existing template models used in other parks.
• Work with parks to assist with in-person field evaluations of NPS contracted concessions operations as part of a secret shopper program.
• Participate in recreational, sports, and food and beverage activities as if a subjective member of the public.
• Report emergencies to parks while observing environmental and safety concerns.
• Observe and report public rates as part of the record. Research online platforms of Concessioner operations.
• Serve with the NPS Coordinator to monitor the completion of various program aspects of NPS Concessions monitoring.
• Provide Park support for project development and execution.
• Use problem-solving and creative thinking skills to recommend ideas for continual improvement and development of existing programs.
• Assist with program communications and record keeping (e.g., attend meetings, take notes, keep webpages updated, respond to external correspondence, create presentations and digital records).

Marginal Duties

• Reporting (25%):
• Communicate NPS Concessions mission goals and objectives through observational monitoring reports. Report these findings for the administrative record.
• Develop reports as follow-up and create files of administrative record with real-time field notes and photographs as necessary.
• Compile information to assist with the creation of reports for project supervisors.
• Compile files for administrative record, specific to contracts being evaluated.
• Use NPS template files, and make recommendations for custom modifications specific to the activity being observed.
• Receive mentorship in the coordination of collaborative replies to correspondences and reports. This will include relaying instructions to staff, collecting information, and consolidating/coordinating the submittal of information.
• Create small weekly presentations of findings.
• Assist in the creation of additional communication products as necessary.

• Training/Professional Development (25%):
• Support National Capital Area Office with financial reporting for Concessions.
• Support Concessions Staff with maintaining accurate administrative record keeping of park franchise fees. Participating in data analysis of financial reports.
• Work with individual parks to gain understanding of complex needs and diverse offerings within the Park Service.
• Participate in relevant NPS sponsored training.

Age Requirement

Adults 18 or older

Required Qualifications

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Able to walk medium to long distances, work in both indoor and outdoor seasonal conditions, and participate in recreational activities such as camping, hiking, dining, sports, and water-based operations.
• Make a full-time, 52-week commitment, with the ability to start on June 29th, 2026.
• Able to plan occasional local travel to important events and potential site visits such as Washington, DC metropolitan area.
• Serve with varied groups of people and manage conflicts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Submit proof of a Driver's License and undergo a Federal Background Check, upon selection.
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Ability to participate in moderately physically demanding recreational activities.
• Agrees to self-monitoring of reimbursement reports and ethical conduct at concessions operations.
• Ability to utilize personal credit/debit card for reimbursable duty-related expenses.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hospitality background in hotels, food and beverage, or recreational activities.
• Experience with financial analysis or studying to learn financial systems.
• Experience serving in a youth-serving organization and/or National Park Service
• Experience managing projects and following through on assigned tasks
• Experience in an office setting, particularly one in the federal government
• Experience with spreadsheets, accounting and managing funding
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.)

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Members are responsible for their own housing

Compensation

• Living Allowance - $736/week (paid bi-weekly)
• Housing Allowance - $1,144/month
• $1,000 Professional Development Fund

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information: Not needed

Additional Benefits

• Health Insurance
• AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.