What: Biological Technicians

Where: Mount Rainier National Park

NPS policy mandates the protection and restoration of the natural soundscapes and the elimination, mitigation or minimization

of inappropriate noise sources. In order to restore and maintain natural quiet and natural sounds in parks, the level and influence

of unnatural sounds on natural quiet must be determined. Once sources of unnatural sound are identified, those sources can be

managed according to specific park management plans. This is a natural resource management position located in the Division

of Natural and Cultural Resources, Mount Rainier National Park, U.S. National Park Service. The intern assists in the study,

inventory, and management of soundscapes and recreation ecology. Interns will work with staff who are responsible for

program development and implementation. Interns may also assist in aquatic, atmospheric monitoring , or other studies.

Interns will assist in the collection of baseline information on soundscapes throughout the park. Acoustical monitoring systems

will be deployed in select, often remote areas to characterize acoustic zones and to measure impacts to sensitive wildlife

species. Monitoring sites will be visited on a weekly basis and attended logging will be conducted at the acoustical monitoring

systems and throughout representative acoustic zones

Knowledge Required by the Position

Knowledge of natural, environmental or biological sciences, or acoustical sciences.

Ability to work as part of a team in collecting scientific data in a Wilderness setting.

Ability to troubleshoot equipment problems without direct supervision.

Experience in or demonstrated ability to backpack and travel in mountainous terrain is required. Interns must be able to

backpack with heavy packs (up to 60 lbs) in remote Wilderness terrain.

Supervisor

The Park Biologist will assign overall direction and tasks to be accomplished. Works under the day to day supervision of the

Lead Biological Technician who assign work and provide instructions for tasks.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Requires standing, walking over rough, uneven terrain; lifting and carrying heavy loads for prolonged periods. May be required

to exert strenuous physical effort in routine and emergency operations. The work is performed both indoors and outdoors and is

subject to weather and terrain variances. Overnight camping and hiking in primitive backcountry conditions is required. Mount

Rainier National Park is a smoke-free working and living environment. A background clearance may be required .

Time Commitment

Fourteen week internship from June 20 through September 22. Interns work 80 hours/every two week period depending on the

assigned tasks. Work days are generally Monday through Thursday.

Training and Benefits

This internship will provide you with field experience to qualify for future paid biological technician positions with the NPS

and other natural resource agencies. Training will be provided through classroom, field and on the job sessions and will include

general park management, natural and cultural resources management, Wilderness first aid, glacier and ice travel, safe river

crossing, map and compass and use of GPS units and specialized training in field data collection . Training on safety will also

be provided.

Contact

Carolyn Dobbs at the Evergreen State College at dobbsc@evergreen.edu

Created by Congress on August 25, 1916, the National Park Service preserves, unimpaired, the natural and cultural

resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future