Urban Green Internship- Natural Resources Vegetation Intern at Big Bend National Park

Urban Green Internship- Natural Resources Vegetation Intern at Big Bend National Park

#PO-00800334-MEM | Posted 08/13/2024

Position Dates: 11/4/2024 - 5/5/2025

About Us:  

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country. 

Position Summary:

The intern will provide support to projects that improve plant communities in Big Bend National Park, the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan desert in the US. These projects are focused on high priority ecological issues in Big Bend: invasive plant species and rare plants that are at risk of extinction. Ultimately, these projects help Big Bend achieve one of its main purposes, which is to preserve biological diversity.

Member Key Duties and Responsibilities:

 The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Botanist. They will receive training on how to collect vegetation data, work safely in remote backcountry sites, and implement restoration plans. Specific projects include collecting data to measure the effects of an invasive tamarisk tree removal project on the Rio Grande, hiking to springs to record presence or absence of invasive tamarisk trees, participating in plant surveys for rare orchids and an Asteraceae species that is new to science, and salvaging, caring for, and planting plants that would otherwise be destroyed in construction projects. The intern will be primarily field based, although some data entry, mapping, and project planning in the office will be required. The intern will be expected to regularly work independently in remote locations.

Member Marginal Duties

Marginal duties such as organizing equipment, cleaning and maintaining tools, performing vehicle safety checks, and shuttling vehicles for maintenance or river trips may be tasked.

Member Required Qualifications

Applicants must have (1) college or graduate level coursework in biological sciences (2) familiarity with plant identification, including how to use a dichotomous key (3) experience hiking and navigating using a GPS device or map and compass, and (4) collecting data in a field setting using established protocols. Applicants must also have a valid drivers license. 

 Member Preferred Qualifications

It is desirable but not required that applicants have any of the following: (1) competence with ArcGIS Pro or other ArcGIS software, such as Survey123 or Field Maps, (2) familiarity with plant species that occur in Big Bend National Park, (3) experience conducting field work in remote locations, especially in hot climates, (4) experience conducting literature searches on ecological topics, (5) experience with restoration projects that involve native plants, including plant salvaging, propagating, planting, or watering, (6) experience using herbicides or chainsaws, (6) experience with canoes.

Likely Working Conditions applicable to the member.

 Outdoor, Conservation, and/or Historic Preservation Project Work

Any additional physical requirements and working conditions of the member position.

Due to the remote location of this position and the lack of public transport, it is highly recommended that applicants have a personal vehicle during the internship.

Member Benefits:

$520 per week living allowance

$1,100 one-time relocation travel

$80 per week commuter allowance

Housing for intern provided.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.