Shellfish Protection District Internship, Spring 2016

Time Commitment: 10 hours/week

 

Thurston County’s Long Range Planning division is offering a graduate-level internship position to work on updating management strategies for two shellfish protection areas. The Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection Districts were established in 2001 to address water quality issues that had closed areas for shellfish harvest. Though management actions taken over the past decade have enabled the reopening of some areas, water quality concerns persist, and the work plans for the districts are being updated to reflect and adapt to current conditions. Working under the supervision of the districts’ coordinator, the key functions of the intern will include:

  • Researching and summarizing past work completed in any of the following areas: stormwater, agriculture, land use, septic systems, wildlife, and governance
  • Attending and taking notes at bi-monthly advisory group meetings
  • Reviewing and updating work plan sections
  • Other related tasks, as needed

 

Desired Skills and Abilities

  • Background and/or interest in water quality monitoring, environmental policy, and/or land use planning
  • Strong writing and research skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines

 

This internship is unpaid, but can be used for course credit. The schedule is flexible, but should equate to approximately 10 hours per week. The intern can work remotely, but should be available for occasional meetings, including some evenings.

 

About Thurston County Long Range Planning

The Long Range Planning division oversees the preparation, maintenance, and updates of Thurston County’s community planning documents. These include the Comprehensive Plan, Shoreline Master Program, zoning and development codes, as well as other land use-related projects. Our current areas of focus include protection of critical areas, endangered species and habitat conservation, preservation of agricultural lands, and watershed planning. The mission of the Long Range Planning division is to plan for sustainable land use and development within the unincorporated areas of the county, so communities can thrive in a healthy environment.

 

To apply:

Submit a resume with 2-3 references and a letter of interest to Allison Osterberg, osterba@co.thurston.wa.us.

 

For questions or additional information, contact:

Allison Osterberg

Senior Planner

(360) 754-3355 x7011

osterba@co.thurston.wa.us