This internship will provide opportunities to observe, develop, and practice science communication strategies through a multidisciplinary project that combines interpretation/education with invertebrate research at Dinosaur National Monument (DNM).

The interpretation/education component of the internship focuses on researching, developing and presenting interpretive programs that integrate citizen science into the visitor experience. Interpretation at DNM includes well established programs to communicate topics of geology, paleontology, and dark skies to a variety of audiences, especially children. This internship will include participating in the established interpretive schedule of providing visitor services and public programs at the Quarry Visitor Center, Quarry Exhibit Hall, and Campgrounds alongside other interpretive staff. This internship will also include developing new interpretive programs or products that support a new natural resource study on two butterfly species that begins in 2019.

The natural resource monitoring and research component of the internship focuses on a status assessment of two butterfly species of concern, the monarch and Great Basin Silverspot butterflies. The intern will be responsible for conducting field surveys at DNM designed to collect baseline data on monarch and silverspot butterfly occurrence and habitat preference. Standardized citizen science-based protocols will be used for milkweed and nectar plant surveys, egg and larvae, and adults surveys, and tracking parasitism and survival. The intern may also be made available to assist other local agencies with similar data collection as requested.

The primary final product will be the submission of all project data to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to inform listing considerations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) via the citizen science-driven Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program.

Other final products include a summary report of monarch and silverspot activity for DNM resource management archives and a presentation of findings to partners and staff. Additionally, an opportunity to co-author a peer-reviewed paper on the western monarch population may exist in cooperation with Southwest Monarch Study following the internship.

Standard LHIP positions will go for a 10-week period will begin in late May through early June 2019 and conclude in July through early September 2019 depending on specific requirements of the project site.

Age 18 to 35

Possess US citizenship or permanent residence

Be enrolled in a post-secondary educational program or have graduated from college within the past year

Have a strong interest — or relevant experience —  in areas pertaining to — but not limited to —  history, historic preservation, public history, museum studies, archaeology, cultural interpretation, landscape architecture, anthropology or other related fields.

Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) — helpful and more needed for some positions

Be social media savvy!