Announcing the 2015 Carolyn Dobbs Mount Rainier Internships:
Biological Technician Internships at Mount Rainier National Park
Internship Description
Three natural resource management intern positions at Mount Rainier National Park are open for summer 2015, working in the Division of Natural and Cultural Resources. The interns work under the day-to-day supervision of the lead biological technicians who assign work and provide instruction; the park ecologists provide overall direction. The interns assist in the study, inventory, and management of aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric resources. Work includes participation in a long-term ecological monitoring project of mountain lakes, amphibian studies, and aquatic and terrestrial field data gathering that mitigates damage from park construction projects and stream surveys. Work in aquatic ecology (physical, chemical and biological characteristics of lakes, streams and wetlands) entails lake, stream, amphibian, fish and invertebrate surveys, collection and analysis of lake and stream samples, and collecting physical measurements of aquatic ecosystems. Work in terrestrial ecology entails conducting wildlife surveys along the park roads and in the wilderness. Interns may also assist in atmospheric monitoring, including air quality, climate, and soundscape monitoring activities and other projects as assigned.
Interns must be current Evergreen students and must register for an Internship Learning Contract for between 4 and 16 credits. (Please note that summer tuition costs are approximately $246/credit for resident tuition and $653/credit for non-residents.) The faculty sponsor for the contracts is Jeff Antonelis-Lapp.
Dates and Work Schedule
This 13-week internship runs from June 22 through September 18. Interns work 80 hours every 2-week period depending on assigned tasks. The work schedule can vary throughout the season although most often is Thursday through Sunday or Friday through Monday.
Desired Skills and Abilities
- A strong background and interest in natural, environmental or biological sciences.
- Advanced backpacking experience and the ability to travel and work in rough, mountainous, uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Interns must be able to backpack with heavy loads in remote wilderness terrain.
- Ability to work as part of a team in collecting scientific data from mountain lakes, forests, subalpine, and streams in a wilderness setting.
- Ability to interact professionally with park staff and visitors.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- High degree of reliability to ensure timely and systematic completion of tasks.
Benefits and Training
This internship pays a living stipend of $100 per week, payable every two weeks. Shared housing (valued at $600) is provided at no cost at Longmire.
This internship provides field experience to qualify for future paid biological technician positions with the National Park Service and other natural resource agencies. Training is provided through classroom, field and on-the-job sessions and includes safety, wilderness first aid, general park management, natural and cultural resources management, map, compass and GPS use, field data collection from mountain lakes and streams, and laboratory analysis of water samples.
Other Information
Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from the park at the beginning and end of the internship and responsible for their own transportation while not working. Transportation is provided during work hours. Mount Rainier National Park is a smoke-free working and living environment. Background clearance is required. A valid driver’s license is also required.
To apply
Submit a resume with 2-3 references (at least one of which is an Evergreen faculty member) and a letter of interest to Jeff Antonelis-Lapp at lappj@evergreen.edu. The application deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2015. Finalists will be interviewed on campus near the end of May; interns will be selected and notified by Monday, June 2. For questions or additional information, contact Jeff Antonelis-Lapp.