Supporting North Dakota's National Parks Since 1951!
Providing support, services, and educational merchandise to enhance visitor experience and enjoyment through historical, scientific, and educational activities in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.
We have 3 bookstores in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in remote western North Dakota.
About Theodore Roosevelt Nature & History Association
TRNHA is committed to working with the National Park Service to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience. Our staff works alongside Park Rangers answering questions and providing amazing interpretive merchandise for you to take with you as a memory of your trip to North Dakota! Our National Park stores are situated in the beautiful badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We have a very small staff but consider the park staff to be our coworkers and work alongside them daily. TRNHA employees assist the park by running park stores, interpreting the park, and helping in any way possible.
TRNHA assists in the publishing of free trail guides, informational brochures, and the Junior Ranger program. In addition to free publications, TRNHA also helps educate the public by funding and hosting special events in the sites we serve.
Funds are provided by TRNHA to support scientific and oral research. Recent funding has included a mountain lion study and elk management efforts.
TRNHA's Mission: Providing support, services, and educational merchandise to enhance visitor experience and enjoyment through historical, scientific, and educational activities in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
The Employee Experience
"My first impression of Western North Dakota was quite a shock! I remember passing the exit for the Painted Canyon visitor center on my way to Medora. Suddenly, I looked out to my right and saw an amazing site - the Painted Canyon. Completely shocked, I quickly (and safely) pulled over to view this amazing site. It was a shock to see a deep canyon after hundreds of miles of endless prairie grassland.
Entering Medora was another beautiful sight, sunshine, western buildings and signs, horses on the bluffs, and people everywhere on the streets. Summer brought many people from all over the country, myself included, to see what Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park had to offer. I could not wait to start working with Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association (TRNHA) in this beautiful park.
From day one, I began learning a lot of information that would be useful to assist visitors and travelers with planning their time in North Dakota. I learned things like how to travel and navigate through the park, which hikes were the best, where the nearest towns were, how to identify plants and snakes, where to camp, where the nearest gas stations was, and so much more. As the summer comes to an end, I truly feel like an expert of this area of the country!
One of my favorite parts of being out here has been visiting the park. I enjoyed viewing the prairie dogs roaming about (even in the snow!) and watching the bison herd graze. I explored most of the hiking trails in the South Unit and North Unit. My favorite by far was the Big Plateau Loop, which requires wading the Little Missouri River and hiking up across the plateau. Guaranteed to see some Bison up there!"
You won't regret a summer in North Dakota - Teresa from PA - summer 2019.
Ideal Candidate
TRNHA strives to find employees who are hardworking and open-minded. In order to be successful at this job, you must be willing to embrace the unique western experience Medora offers and to explore the beauty that is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We find that our happiest employees are the ones that experience the culture of small-town living and embrace the everyday task of talking to park visitors.
If you are someone who is outgoing, friendly, and do not mind repetitive tasks TRNHA might be a great choice for you!
If you have dreamt of working in a National Park this is a wonderful opportunity to support our non-profit while learning more about being a Park Ranger and how to fulfill your dream in the future.
If you are interested in having a summer adventure before returning to school or starting a new career TRNHA might be the place for you!
Room and Board
TRNHA seasonal staff is offered Free National Park shared housing. Employees will typically live in a house where they will have one roommate and up to 4 other housemates. You will have a shared bath, laundry, kitchen, and living space.
Year round staff are responsible for their own housing.
Staff is encouraged to explore housing options in North Dakota areas of Medora, Dickinson, Belfield, and Beach. All employees will need reliable transportation as no grocery stores are located in Medora requiring about a thirty-minute drive to the nearest grocery location.
Employee Perks
TRNHA staff are allowed free access to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and are offered discounts in our park stores.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Medora and our office location is very remote with no access to public transportation. We highly recommend that all our employees have cars as you will need to travel up to 8 miles to one of our work locations and there are no grocery stores located in Medora. There are a few bike trails in the area and biking around town is always encouraged.
For Fun
TRNHA employees are sure to enjoy the beauty of the North Dakota Badlands. Employees will work and play in Theodore Roosevelt National Park where they can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, and more! And when you don't feel like taking in the great outdoors spend time exploring Medora by attending the nightly musical, golfing the Bully Pulpit, playing at the new Point to Point Park, swimming in the city pool, or taking in all that North Dakota's number one tourist location has to offer.
How to Apply
Interested individuals can learn more and complete an application via the link below.
Contact Info
- Tracy Sexton
- tracy_sexton@trnha.org
- (701) 623-4884
- www.trnha.org
