Natural Resources Management Internship - National Park Service

Internship Summary and Location:

As a Natural Resources Intern, you will assist in the implementation of a variety of vegetation resource management projects within the parklands of Fort Baker and the Southern Marin Headlands, located in Marin County just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  A main component of the work will involve restoring coastal prairie grassland habitat for the federally endangered mission blue butterfly. Restoration techniques will include native plant revegetation and non-native invasive plant removal through an integrated pest management approach. There will also be a strong involvement of community engagement to aide in reaching restoration objectives. Interns will have the opportunity to coordinate logistics and lead volunteer program events.

Description of Duties:

70% - Native plant revegetation, seed collection, direct seeding, plant monitoring & invasive plant

           management using a  variety of treatment techniques

10% - Assisting with wildlife monitoring (mission blue butterfly) and managing wildlife cameras

5% -   Additional support projects may include: installing erosion control materials, serving as a  

           biological monitor during construction projects, assisting with site establishment and data

           collection for vegetation monitoring,  photomonitoring of restoration sites,  maintaining vehicles

           and field equipment

10% - Mapping vegetation communities with GPS & Calflora’s Weed Manager platform,

           managing and analyzing data in Excel and ArcGIS

5%   - Training: Park Academy courses are on offer year-round and include topics like botany, native

           plant propagation, seed collection/cleaning, GPS mapping & data management in ArcGIS, birding,

           resume building/interview skills, wildlife monitoring, and much more!

Intern staff are expected to routinely carry out other minor duties not listed above in order to support general vegetation resource related projects at Fort Baker and throughout the Marin Headlands, as needed. 

Basic Requirements:

Education- College graduate in the environmental sciences such as biology, ecology, natural resources management, forestry, botany, and geography. Students currently enrolled in a similar program will also be considered.

-Must be enthusiastic about native habitat restoration and outdoor, physical work

-Able to work effectively alone or in a team setting

-Ability to navigate steep slopes on foot, often while carrying a load

-Willing to learn and operate gas-powered equipment such as a brushcutter

-Able to study for and acquire a California DPR pesticide applicator’s certificate (QAC), within 3 months of employment (materials and costs are provided by the National Park Service)

-Effective communication style and ability to assist leading volunteer groups in an outdoor setting

Preferred Qualifications:

- Knowledge of northern California native flora helpful. Ability to ID plants using a dichotomous key.   

-Experience with using a GPS for ecological data collection and navigation to field sites.

-Working knowledge of manipulating data and making maps in ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro

-Experience assisting with volunteer programs.

Working Conditions:

This can be a part-time position (30 hours/week minimum), but a full-time schedule (40 hours/ week) is preferred. Work is generally scheduled Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend work. Interns will be offered government housing + utilities, at no cost. An additional stipend of $45/day ($225/week) is provided to offset other living costs. Interns not in need of housing will be offered a stipend of $75/day. There are also an abundance of opportunities to learn new skills working in other programs within the Natural Resources Division and through our well-respected Park Academy courses that are offered throughout the year for free. Interns are given additional training & resources on how to navigate and compete for full time National Park Service and other federal land management agency jobs.

Field work varies in conditions ranging from highly developed areas with many park visitors to remote, off trail sites in rugged terrain. While the area generally has a moderate climate, Interns can expect to work some days in temperatures ranging from hot to cold, inclement weather, and also habitat that hosts poison oak and ticks. Proper training in safe work practices and the use of personal protective equipment will be provided.

Interested candidates need to complete BOTH of the following processes: 1.) Submit a simple application to the volunteer.gov website here: https://www.volunteer.gov/results.cfm?ID=21556  , 2.) Also,  send a letter of interest, current resume, and contact information for at least two professional references to Jeremiah Jolley, Natural Resources Specialist, via email:  jeremiah_jolley@nps.gov  Please submit this email with the title, “Natural Resources Internship Application”.  Candidates will be contacted in early March for further consideration and interviews. We are looking to fill this position between late March – early April 2020 with an internship end date of April 2021.  **APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 2nd, 2020 **