Biological Technician Internship at Mount Rainier National Park:
The 2017 Carolyn Dobbs Mount Rainier Internship
Internship Description
One natural resource management intern position at Mount Rainier National Park is available for summer 2017, working in the Division of Natural and Cultural Resources. The intern works under the day-to-day supervision of lead biological technicians who assign work and provide instruction; the park ecologists provide overall direction. The intern assists in the study, inventory, and management of aquatic, terrestrial, atmospheric, and wilderness resources.
Work in aquatic ecology (physical, chemical and biological characteristics of lakes, streams and wetlands) includes lake, stream, amphibian, fish and invertebrate surveys, and the collection and analysis of lake and stream samples. Work in terrestrial ecology entails conducting wildlife surveys (e.g. small/medium mammals, pollinators, raptors) and invasive plant inventories along the park roads and in the wilderness, and accessioning specimens to the natural history museum collection. Work in wilderness monitoring includes backcountry campsite monitoring and visitor use data collection to support the development of an updated Wilderness Stewardship Plan for Mount Rainier National Park. The intern may also assist in atmospheric monitoring, including air quality, climate, and soundscape monitoring.
The intern must be a current Evergreen student and must register for an Internship Learning Contract for between 4 and 16 credits. (Please note that summer tuition costs for 2016 were $251/credit for resident tuition and $720/credit for non-resident tuition.) The faculty sponsor for the contract is Jeff Antonelis-Lapp. He will assist you with contract design and registration.
Dates and Work Schedule
The internship begins June 19; the intern has the option of working either 10 or 13 weeks. 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) A strong background and interest in natural, environmental or biological sciences.
- b) 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.
- c) Ability to work as part of a team in collecting scientific data from mountain lakes, forests, subalpine, and streams in a wilderness setting.
- d) Ability to interact professionally with park staff and visitors.
- e) Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- f) High degree of reliability to ensure timely and systematic completion of tasks.
Benefits and Training
This internship pays a stipend of $2,500. Shared housing (valued at $600) is provided at no cost at Longmire or Tahoma Woods.
This internship provides field experience to qualify for future paid biological technician positions with the National Park Service and other natural resource agencies. Training through classroom, field and on-the-job sessions includes safety, wilderness first aid, general park management, natural and cultural resources management, map, compass and GPS use, field data collection, laboratory analysis of water samples, GIS, and data entry and management.
Other Information
The intern is 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 Friday, April 21, 2017. Finalists will be interviewed on campus the week of May 1. The intern will be selected and notified that week. For questions or additional information, contact Jeff Antonelis-Lapp.