POSITION: VEGETATION ECOLOGY INTERN
ORGANIZATION: National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Program
LOCATION: Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA.
POSTING DATE: March 8, 2019.
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
OVERVIEW
The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) collects, organizes, analyzes, and synthesizes natural resource data and information in the San Francisco Bay Area Network of National Parks. This internship will support the I&M Vegetation Ecology program. For more information about the San Francisco Bay Area I&M and the natural resources it monitors, please visit: https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.nps.gov%2Fim%2Fsfan&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7Cb1abf55d3eed4e61fd9908d6a4798d03%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636877239346769894&sdata=2qD1m47D2aGEDo5Vu5oMZQjfb7yO%2FcV%2B6Zxz6nQDTk8%3D&reserved=0.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The San Francisco Bay Area Network is seeking two interns to assist with plant community monitoring and invasive plant early detection protocols. The interns will work primarily in Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore, but will also make visits to Pinnacles National Park, and John Muir National Historic Site. These positions will be stationed at Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA. Interns will be employed by Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, a non-profit organization, and will be hosted and managed by National Park Service staff.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Plant Community Monitoring Program: use standard monitoring techniques to read vegetation plots; identify plants; record field data; navigate using GPS; install plot markers; photography; data entry and quality-control; create plot location guides using GIS, Google Earth, and MS Word.
Invasive Plant Early Detection Program: conduct surveys for invasive plants; map plant populations and collect data using tablets and phones; data entry and quality control; create maps in GIS and Google Earth.
Herbarium Work: Collect, photograph, process, scan and/or press plant specimens for digital and physical herbarium accession.
BENEFITS
Gain experience identifying plants of the Bay Area, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. Learn vegetation sampling techniques that are industry standards in land management and research. Become proficient in GPS and GIS technologies. Gain experience with photography, plant scanning and image management. Enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and cultural resources of spectacular National Parks while engaging park stewards. Additional professional development and training opportunities are available in other departments within the Park Service and Parks Conservancy. A payment of $30.00 per day is provided for living expenses, and dormitory housing is provided at Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Interest in a career in biological science or resource management, including an interest in learning plant identification. Good communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Basic computer literacy, Microsoft Word and Excel. A valid driver’s license. Experience, coursework or skill in the following areas is a plus: botany, taxonomy, ecology, restoration, geographic information systems (GIS), statistics, databases, photography.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a mixed position with field and office time each week. Must enjoy working in an office setting and outside in various weather conditions and terrains while maintaining a good attitude. Occasionally, field work can include up to 8 miles of hiking/day, most often, 1-2 miles/day. Must be able to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Field work is both on and off-trail, and frequently involves bushwhacking through dense vegetation. Interns will frequently encounter poison oak, ticks, spiders, mosquitoes, and other wildlife. We have a comprehensive safety program, and provide protective equipment. Please contact us for more information if you are concerned about the physical requirements and work environment.
TERMS
Desired Start Date: April 8, 2019 (flexible).
Term: April – September, 2019.
Full-time: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
Location: Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA.
To Apply: Email your resume, a cover letter, and three references to Eric Wrubel at eric_wrubel@nps.gov
The Parks Conservancy and National Park Service seek to increase diversity in the workplace and reflect the changing demographics of our Bay Area community. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.