Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking ONE Forest Inventory and Monitoring Assistant Intern to assist leaders in developing and implementing a Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program and collect forest inventory data on at least two National Wildlife Refuges in Region 5. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resources and/or habitat management on our public lands. The purpose of the internship is to perform a variety of biological technical duties in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) field projects pertaining to forest ecosystem inventory and monitoring and habitat restoration. The internship will last 50 weeks. The starting and ending dates are flexible to some degree.
Start Date: February 1st, 2018 (negotiable)
End Date: (50 weeks from start date)
Qualifications: Applicants must have a degree (or be pursuing a degree) in forestry, wildlife biology, ecology, botany, natural resource management, parks and recreation or other related disciplines appropriate to the position. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the internship announcement.
To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here:https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Recruitment Specialist, Melissa Early, 801-573-8984,mearly@usaconservation.org
End Date: (50 weeks from start date)
Qualifications: Applicants must have a degree (or be pursuing a degree) in forestry, wildlife biology, ecology, botany, natural resource management, parks and recreation or other related disciplines appropriate to the position. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the internship announcement.
To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here:https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Recruitment Specialist, Melissa Early, 801-573-8984,mearly@usaconservation.org
Location: USFWS, Northeast Regional Office, Hadley Massachusetts, with temporary field duty assignments on at least two Refuges in Region 5.
Project Website: For more information on the Hadley, MA USFWS Office, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/ro.html
For more information regarding ACE, please visit www.usaconservation.org.
Compensation: The ACE Intern will complete 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $570/week paid out biweekly for food and incidental costs. For the periods requiring the intern to be away from their primary duty station, on site housing may be provided at no cost to the intern.
Position Description:
Percentage of Time: 40% – Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program Development
Primarily assists Refuges Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning Terrestrial Ecosystem Team leaders in developing and implementing a Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program on Refuges.Duties will include providing technical assistance with the forest and wildlife habitat data collection, management and analysis. Assist with the development of inventory sampling design, spreadsheets and databases to facilitate survey efforts. Assist team leaders and Refuge staff in configuring forest inventory software to meet specific Refuge survey objectives.
Use knowledge of forest and wildlife habitat inventory techniques, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assess Refuge forest habitats. Prepare and edit reports, survey protocols, training materials, standard operating procedures and other documents developed to assist Refuge biologists, foresters and technicians to implement the forest inventory and monitoring program. Participate on terrestrial ecosystem teams and assist team leaders by providing support for managing and coordinating teams. Support includes helping develop team agendas, taking and posting meeting and call notes, facilitating communication between team members and tracking actions.
Percentage of Time: 40% – Field Work
Collect forest inventory data on at least two National Wildlife Refuges. Duties will include assistance with the forest and wildlife habitat data collection, management and analysis. Assist with the development of inventory sampling design, spreadsheets and databases to facilitate survey efforts. Assist team leaders and Refuge staff in configuring forest inventory software to meet specific Refuge survey objectives. Use knowledge of forest and wildlife habitat inventory techniques, plant identification, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assist with the assessment of Refuge forest habitats.
Percentage of Time: 20% – Fire Management Assessment and Vegetation Classification
Assist with the development of a Fire Management Assessment and Vegetation Classification System for the FWS Northeast Region through research of and compilation of existing methods. Consider data collection needs prior to treatment, threshold for management action, after action data review processes and data needs.
Use knowledge of forest and wildlife habitat inventory techniques, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assess Refuge forest habitats. Prepare and edit reports, survey protocols, training materials, standard operating procedures and other documents developed to assist Refuge biologists, foresters and technicians to implement the forest inventory and monitoring program. Participate on terrestrial ecosystem teams and assist team leaders by providing support for managing and coordinating teams. Support includes helping develop team agendas, taking and posting meeting and call notes, facilitating communication between team members and tracking actions.
Percentage of Time: 40% – Field Work
Collect forest inventory data on at least two National Wildlife Refuges. Duties will include assistance with the forest and wildlife habitat data collection, management and analysis. Assist with the development of inventory sampling design, spreadsheets and databases to facilitate survey efforts. Assist team leaders and Refuge staff in configuring forest inventory software to meet specific Refuge survey objectives. Use knowledge of forest and wildlife habitat inventory techniques, plant identification, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assist with the assessment of Refuge forest habitats.
Percentage of Time: 20% – Fire Management Assessment and Vegetation Classification
Assist with the development of a Fire Management Assessment and Vegetation Classification System for the FWS Northeast Region through research of and compilation of existing methods. Consider data collection needs prior to treatment, threshold for management action, after action data review processes and data needs.
Required:
· US Citizen or Permanent Resident;
· Between the age of 18 and 35;
· A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to provide such documentation;
· A personal vehicle is required for off-duty hours due to the remoteness of the refuge, according to hurricane protocol, and for personal time off;
· Effective communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences;
· Able and willing to work alone and in a group;
· Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor;
· Be in good physical shape (capable of carrying a 50 pound pack for up to 2 miles).
· Ability to operate independently and in remote areas;
· Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check;
· Able to complete agency computer, privacy, and records management training successfully;
· Have a positive, flexible attitude.
Preferred:
· Knowledge of the basic procedure and technical terminology used in the field of forestry, wildlife biology, plant ecology, invasive species management and the inventory and monitoring of natural resources.
· Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
· Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting.
· Knowledge and skills in taking exact measurements, performing mathematics, some of which may be complicated, and keeping detailed and precise records to collect and assemble data.
· Experience and/or knowledge with Microsoft Excel and Access, GPS, GIS and data collection software and equipment.
· Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation.
· Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional.
· Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.