Work with us

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is the state's chief steward of Narragansett Bay and many other natural resources that are at the heart of Rhode Island's economy, culture, and environment. We manage thousands of acres of land, including management areas, parks, freshwater and saltwater beaches, campgrounds, bike paths, historic sites, picnic areas, trails, athletic fields, dams, fishing access, and boat ramps. This network attracts upwards of nine million visitors each year and hosts high-profile national and international events such as the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and The Ocean Race. 

Hundreds of talented seasonal employees work hard each summer side by side with our full-time staff to make it possible for millions of people to enjoy Rhode Island's beautiful beaches, parks and natural places. Join #teamDEM! Choose the position that interests you, submit an application at apply.ri.gov, and make a positive impact on visitor experiences while protecting our state’s precious natural resources. 

View All Seasonal Employment Opportunities

Perks

Stay active while working outdoors
Choose your commute to various locations across Rhode Island
Get paid work experience and earn credit toward degree programs
Build your resume and get a jump start on your future career plans
Make an impact by joining the latest team of stewards protecting our state’s treasured natural resources for the next generation
Earn sign on and retention bonuses for key beach positions
Photos of public places that DEM manages with the words "Work and Make an Impact"

Seasonal positions provide hands-on experience and are a great introduction to our staff’s work. These positions can even lead to full-time employment. Being active outside, building lifelong friendships with workmates, and serving our communities are also some of the big benefits of spending the summer working with Rhode Island DEM. 

From administrative and clerical roles to emergency response, to technical work in environmental sciences, engineering, program/policy analysis, and business administration, DEM offers a wide range of interest areas to help you build new skills and make an impact. 

View the full list of seasonal opportunities or choose from the focus areas below. 

Seasonal Employment FAQs

DEM’s seasonal positions are listed on the State of Rhode Island’s career portal at apply.ri.gov. Submit your online application and we’ll walk you through the hiring process.

The State annually employs qualified responsible individuals in a variety of seasonal and internship positions. Unless otherwise noted, applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Seasonal positions are limited to a specific period. You can work through the traditional summer season or find roles that offer up to six months of employment.

It depends on the position. Most employees in the seasonal program, especially with DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation, are required to work weekends and holidays throughout the summer, with two weekdays off. Most staff in DEM’s Environmental Protection Bureau follow a Monday-Friday work schedule.

Many of the seasonal classifications have a three-step pay-grade. An employee in those classifications is paid at the first step during his or her first season. An employee returning to the same three-step classification for a second season is paid at the second step during that season. An employee returning to the same three-step classification for a third or subsequent season is paid at the third step during that season.

State lifeguards play a critical role in ensuring the safety of everyone at state beaches. They regularly respond to countless minor medical situations and emergencies and are credited with saving lives throughout the summer season. All lifeguards are required to complete state certification annually and hold valid cards in lifeguard training, first aid, and CPR including infant, child, and adult.

In an effort to remain competitive and ensure adequate lifeguard coverage for the major summer holidays and through Labor Day weekend, DEM offers an incentive program to seasonal staff at state beaches that include all State Lifeguard, Supervising Lifeguard, and Seasonal Lifeguard Program Coordinator positions who meet the below criteria:

Sign-on Bonus: Lifeguards who submit a complete application packet including all required documents (e.g. copies of certifications, work permits, I-9 documentation, etc.) and are hired by June 28th, 2024 will be eligible to receive a $500 one-time sign-on bonus.

Retention Bonus: Lifeguard staff who remain in good standing throughout the course of their employment (i.e. who meet or exceed performance expectations and will be recommended for rehire), who have not taken more than 5 unapproved days off (call outs) over the course of the summer, and remain employed until September 2nd, 2024 shall be eligible for a $500 one-time retention bonus.

Lifeguards and Beach Staff

State lifeguards play a critical role in ensuring the safety of everyone at state beaches. Hourly rates start at $17.75 with sign-on and retention bonuses. Join the latest team of stewards watching over our world-class state beaches.

Facilities and Maintenance

We take pride in welcoming visitors to clean, well-maintained facilities. A critical part of daily operations, these roles engage with the public, perform light maintenance tasks, and help maintain our locations.

Visitor Services and Operations

Engage with the public in customer service roles that strive to deliver a positive visitor experience. Share your passion for the natural world through public education programming on our conservation efforts and cultural history.

Park Rangers and Law Enforcement

These roles build new skills and experience for future first-responder career goals. Provide customer service and patrol facilities to encourage compliance of rules and regulations. Interact with the public and promote a safe and orderly enjoyment of public lands.

Research and Monitoring

We take our job very seriously in enforcing regulations. Because of them, we have clean air to breath, a cleaner Bay to swim in, and a healthier environment to pass down to the next generation. Work with our staff on data collection and overseeing healthy lands.

Policy and Program Internships

We’re looking for leaders. Start growing your career now! Work alongside our professional staff to assist in various areas of environmental policy and planning, special projects, studies, research, and data collection.

 RIDEM Lifeguard Incentive Program

Lifeguards play a critical role in ensuring the safety of everyone at our beaches. They regularly respond to countless minor medical situations and emergencies and are credited with saving lives throughout the summer season.  DEM is pleased to offer a bonus program for all State Lifeguard, Supervising Lifeguard, and Seasonal Lifeguard Program Coordinator positions who meet the below criteria:

Sign-on Bonus

Lifeguards who submit a complete application packet including all required documents (e.g. copies of certifications, work permits, I-9 documentation, etc.) and are hired by June 28th, 2024 will be eligible to receive a $500 one-time sign-on bonus.

Retention Bonus

Lifeguards who remain in good standing throughout the course of their employment (i.e. who meet or exceed performance expectations and will be recommended for rehire), who have not taken more than five unapproved days off (callouts) over the course of the summer, and remain employed until September 2, 2024 shall be eligible for a $500 one-time retention bonus.

All payments, including bonuses, are subject to applicable taxes.

Work as a State Lifeguard
Historic photo of a Rhode Island lifeguard

Do you have what it takes to be a lifeguard?

Individuals interested in working as a lifeguard at waterfront swimming areas in the State of Rhode Island must become certified by the State as either a Surf or Non-Surf lifeguard.

Learn more and view lifeguard certification testing dates

Meet #TeamDEM

Program Analyst Sean Linnane
Samantha Stachurski
Senior Wildlife Biologist Dylan ferriera
Andrew Rocco

Seasonal employment doesn’t mean it’s a temporary job. Many DEM staffers got their start as seasonal staff and have built lifelong careers.

Choose Your Commute

Meet the Director

Director Terrance Gray sits outside the DEM headquarters smiling at camera

A lifelong Rhode Islander, DEM Director Terrence Gray entered State service in 1987 and rose through the agency’s ranks during his 34-year (and counting) career. Read more

Our Work

A wildlife biologists releases a Canadian goose after banding the bird for research while a child looks on with delight

Our Lands

The words "Public Lands" sits on a photo of the rocky shoreline at Beavertail State Park with the historic lighthouse in the distance
Protect Restore Promote

Our Mission

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) serves as the chief steward of the state’s natural resources – from beautiful Narragansett Bay to our local waters and green spaces to the air we breathe. Our mission put simply is to protect, restore, and promote our environment to ensure Rhode Island remains a wonderful place to live, visit, and raise a family. 

We protect these precious resources through development and enforcement of environmental laws, and we strive to provide guidance to our many customers in complying with these laws.

We work with our partners to restore our lands and waters, to conserve wildlife and marine resources, and to monitor environmental quality so we can build healthy, more resilient communities.

We promote our natural resources – from our historic parks and beaches to our farms and delicious local food and seafood.  We are focused on helping our state grow “green” and build desirable neighborhoods that offer ample space to recreate and connect with nature.

Cover page of the DEM strategic plan

DEM Strategic Plan FY2024-2026

DEM has developed a plan with eight strategic goals to guide us over the next several years. This strategic plan aligns with the goals of RI 2030 and builds on DEM’s work to protect our environment, steward and promote our state’s natural resources, and counter the effects of climate change. A core focus of this strategic plan is prioritizing diversity, inclusion, and environmental justice across all programs in the department. This plan outlines a clear direction for us to achieve our mission as we continue to grow, innovate, and improve as a department.

The State annually employs qualified responsible individuals in a variety of seasonal and internship positions within our programs for a specific limited period. Most employees in the seasonal program are required to work weekends and holidays throughout the summer, with two weekdays off. Many of the seasonal classifications have a three-step pay-grade. An employee in those classifications is paid at the first step during his or her first season. An employee returning to the same three-step classification for a second season is paid at the second step during that season. An employee returning to the same three-step classification for a third or subsequent season is paid at the third step during that season. Unless otherwise noted, applicants must be at least 16 years of age. 

This agency does not assume responsibility for applications sent through the mail. Also, while we try to maintain an up-to-date listing on this site and correct any errors brought to our attention, we do not guarantee that this listing represents all jobs. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at the address and phone number listed below.

Office of Human Resources

235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908, Room 350
Phone: (401) 222-2774

RIDEM is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D.