Applications are due October 14.

Ecological Restoration Intern

Park Stewardship Program, Golden Gate National Parks

February – December 2016

Overview

The Park Stewardship Program is seeking a motivated intern to work in a dynamic community-based habitat restoration program in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a destination for both locals and international visitors with its sweeping vistas, immense biological diversity, and unique cultural resources. With over 15 million visitors annually and over 80,000 acres of land, it is the largest urban national park in the country.

Our work is highly variable and covers a broad spectrum of topics, including inventorying existing biological and physical resources, identifying and managing threats to sensitive resources, and engaging the surrounding community in “stewarding” important park sites. Work sites are in a variety of coastal habitats from oak-bay woodlands to coastal freshwater marshes both north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Work will support four federally protected animals.

Description of Duties

The successful candidates will join the Park Stewardship Restoration Manager in doing a variety of resource management activities that change over the seasons. Duties include:

·         Plan and implement habitat restoration projects.

·         Remove invasive species using hand tools, power tools, herbicide, and other methods.

·         Revegetate disturbed landscapes with native plants.

·         Monitor threatened and endangered wildlife including California red-legged frogs, mission blue and San Bruno elfin butterflies.

·         Map key habitat features using GPS data recorders; analyze and display mapped features using GIS technology.

·         Evaluate restoration progress; collect, enter, and manage ecological data.

·         Prepare summary reports of monitoring and restoration actions.

·         Engage local community by leading volunteer workdays and interpretive walks.

·         Maintain tools and equipment and other miscellaneous duties.

Desired Qualifications

·         A passion for tough physical work in hard field conditions.

·         A love of, and curiosity about, nature, ecology, plants, and animals.

·         Familiarity with biological and ecological concepts.

·         Experience in ecological restoration and endangered species management.

·         A strong sense of pride and accomplishment in seeing a job well-done.

·         Self-motivated, proactive problem solver, takes initiative to get the job done.

·         Ability to organize, prioritize, and accomplish tasks on time.

·         Detail-oriented

·         Ability to work independently and assume a leadership role as needed.

·         Great communication skills; speaks and writes clearly and effectively.

·         Strong writing skills and experience writing scientific reports a plus.

·          Sense of humor, flexibility, and collaboration a must!

·         Desire to work with a diversity of people with different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints.

·         Collaborative and willing to put the needs of the team first.

·         Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

·         Ability to enter, manipulate, and analyze data accurately in Excel.

·         Experience with or a desire to become proficient in GPS/GIS.

·         A valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Physical Requirements and Work Environments

·         This is a field-based position with occasional office time. Must enjoy working outside in various weather conditions while maintaining a sense of humor.

·         Sensitivity to poison oak may be problematic. Personal protective equipment against poison oak will be provided.

·         Ability to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds

Compensation

·         Dorm-style housing, a stipend of $30/day ($150/week), and transportation to work sites is provided if your permanent residence is more than 50 miles from San Francisco.

·         A stipend of $55/day ($275/week) is provided if your permanent residence is less than 50 miles from San Francisco.

·         Gain real-world work experience in habitat restoration at a highly respected non-profit organization with a model partnership between two Federal agencies.

·         Opportunity to take six personal/professional development days to pursue an interest, including training and education opportunities in various departments within the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

·         Opportunity to attend Park Academy Classes on a variety of topics including resume building and interview skills, park orientation and history, flora and fauna, mapping and monitoring, computer skills, and much more!

·         Opportunity to live in and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and cultural resources of a spectacular National Park.

·         Opportunities to work with staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds that share a common interest in preserving and protecting our natural lands while engaging the next generation of park stewards.

Terms

·         Applications due by Friday, October 2, 2015.

·         Desired start date: Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

·         Length of position: February through December 2016.

·         Schedule: Generally Tuesday – Saturday, full-time; some flexibility required.

·         To apply, please send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to Ruby Kwan at rkwan@parksconservancy.org

·         Please tell us how you learned of this internship opportunity.

The Parks Conservancy and National Park Service are committed to diversity in the workplace. Minorities and people of color are encouraged to apply.