Summer 2011 Internship Opportunity: Visitor Use Study, Mount Rainier National Park

July 7–September 15, 2011 (5 positions available)

Internship Description:

The purpose of this internship is to collect information as part of a study to help Mount Rainier National Park staff manage visitor use and transportation in a manner that protects park resources and the quality of visitor experiences. The study will be conducted in the Nisqually Corridor and includes three interrelated components: 1) observation of visitor use on trails in Paradise Meadows and the Comet Falls Trail; 2) visitor surveys to assess the effects of crowding, resource impacts, and transportation conditions on the quality of visitor experiences in the park; and 3) transportation-related data collection. Together, the three study components will help park managers better understand connections among transportation conditions, park resource conditions, and the quality of visitor experiences.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

  1. Ability to work independently and in settings with limited contact with other people.
  2. Ability to interact professionally and comfortably with the public (e.g., to administer visitor surveys and collect other information from park visitors).
  3. High degree of personal accountability to ensure timely, systematic, and consistent conduct of data collection tasks.
  4. Aptitude for/ability to learn how to work with electronic data collection devices (e.g., infrared trail counters, Palm Pilots, GPS-units, etc.).
  5. Ability to hike up to 3 miles (one-way) on varied and often steep terrain. Day hikes only; no backpacking anticipated.
  6. Ability to work weekends and holidays.
  7. Previous experience with data collection or other aspects of scientific studies desirable, but not necessary.

Dates and Number of Interns Needed:

The internship period will be 10 weeks in duration, starting approximately July 7, 2011 and ending approximately September 15, 2011. The work week averages about 40 hours per week, but usually includes working on the weekends; days off will be mid-week. Interns are responsible for their own travel to and from the park at the beginning and end of the internship and responsible for travel on recreation/off days.

Compensation:

  • Interns will earn a stipend of $1,400 for the 10-week internship.
  • Housing and transportation will be provided for interns while they are working in the park.

Other Details:

  • Interns are responsible for providing their own food.
  • Interns are not requited to register for credit, but credit is available through Evergreen as an Internship Learning Contract.

Training:

Interns will gain knowledge and expertise in national park management, field research, and the use of specialized data collection equipment. This will include training and oversight by Dr. Steve Lawson, who has conducted research in national parks for more than a decade, and Brett Kiser, who has managed field studies in a number of national parks. In addition, a research field manager will be in the park throughout the duration of the internship to provide onsite training and oversight to interns.

To apply:

Submit a resume with 2-3 references and a letter of interest to Jeff Antonelis-Lapp at lappj@evergreen.edu. Positions are open until filled.