Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Redding Field Office in California, is seeking one intern to dedicate one year assisting the wildlife and fisheries biologist with a variety of different types of fieldwork and wildlife surveys.
Start Date: October 1, 2012 (flexible for the right candidate)
End Date: September 30, 2013 (a one-year commitment is required)
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If funding is approved the position has the
potential to be extended for a second year.
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Location: The Redding Field Office has stewardship responsibility for approximately 250,000 acres of public land in northern California. Recreation Areas managed by the REFO include the Sacramento River Rail Trail, Swasey Recreation Area and Mule Ridge Trails, Keswick Reservoir, Chappie-Shasta OHV Area, Clear Creek Greenway, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and Shasta Dam. Numerous threatened and endangered species occur within the area managed by REFO including Northern Spotted Owls, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and Sandhill Cranes. For more information on the BLM Redding Field Office (REFO) please visit the website: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/redding.html
Compensation: The ACE intern will work 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $500/week.
Position Description: The intern will assist the BLM wildlife and fisheries biologist primarily with field work, although at times (20-25%) there will be office work including project research, GIS, and data entry. The intern must be willing, able, and comfortable being exposed to summer heat and winter rains, poison oak, thistles, Himalayan blackberry, wood ticks, wasps and hornets, light pesticide use, farm and construction machinery, hand tools and power equipment, cattle and other livestock, and other potential hazards commensurate with land management activities. The schedule will typically be 8 hours/day, 5 days/week. Some survey protocols will require an adjustment of the workday and week (for example, four, ten hour days), however total workweek hours will amount to 40 hours per week.
Specific duties and responsibilities of the intern include but are not limited to:
- Assisting the BLM fish and wildlife biologist with general land management and survey activities.
- Daily operation of wetland pumps, valves, and water control structures within the Bend wetland complex.
- Monitoring of fish populations and water quality.
- Conducting invasive aquatic species control efforts.
- Operating 4×4 BLM pick-up truck.
- Operating farm machinery such as tractors and mowers.
- Operating common hand and power tools (e.g. chain saws and weed whackers) to control vegetation.
- Conducting protocol surveys and monitoring for Northern Spotted Owls.
- Wetland and riparian monitoring including monitoring restoration efforts at previous project sites.
- Inventorying for mine hazards and providing input regarding remediation, including bat gate placement in appropriate locations.
- GPS/GIS mapping of wildlife surveys to include Northern Spotted Owl routes, nest locations, invasive species locations, wetlands boundaries, infrastructure, and mine hazards.
- Assisting with the preparation and/or review of NEPA documents.
Qualifications: Applicants must have previous experience and at least a B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, Wilderness Management and/or Policy, GIS, Natural Resource Management, Botany, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Candidates with Master’s Degrees and an interest in a career as a public Ecological Resource Management are strongly encouraged to apply.
Required Qualifications:
- Must have a high a high fitness level and an interest in back country foot travel.
- Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only.
- Interns must be 18-25 years old (candidates who are 26-29 years old and have recently?completed a relevant Master’s Degree will be considered).
- Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and use of a personal vehicle.
- Interns must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE.
- Experience traveling in a Wilderness Environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to interact with Wilderness visitors.
- Ability to work alone/in a small group with minimal supervision.
- Experience and/or ability to learn use of GPS unit.
- General computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite).
- Must be able to able and willing to work outdoors and be capable of lifting 50 lbs.
- Must be able to take initiative, work independently, and participate in collaborative efforts.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals.
- English proficiency is imperative.
- Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required.
Requested Qualifications:
- Ability to apply GIS and related technology in support of natural resource management.
- Practical knowledge of the techniques used in the analysis of multiple resources, combined with ?knowledge of the magnitude and complexity of GIS databases.
- Practical knowledge of the general land use-planning process and land management programs.
- Knowledge of the interrelationships of various natural and cultural resources for example: range; ?wildlife; soil, water; minerals; and others.
- Ability to communicate clearly with planners, resource specialists, ?managers, and peer professionals in Federal, State, and local agencies.
- Ability to communicate ?effectively with a multi-disciplinary group in a knowledgeable and accurate manner.
- Plant identification (field work may require collection of threatened and endangered plant species).Knowledge, skills, and abilities in trail inventory and assessment.
- Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.
- A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources.
- Excellent writing, research, public speaking, and organizational skills.
- Knowledge of California’s public lands, cultural and historic resources, and natural environments is desired.
Special Note: The ACE website is currently under construction. Please do not visit the website to learn more information about this particular opportunity. Please visit the American Conservation Experience Facebook page to see the type of work performed by ACE Interns and the amazing internship locations.
To Apply: Please email a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references (contact information only) in ONE document by to intern@usaconservation.org with “BLM REFO F&W-CJB Referred” in the subject heading of your email. NOTE: Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to call the Conservation Internship Supervisor, Melissa Burns at (801) 946-5379.