Exotic Plant Management Internship – Southern Oregon
Location: Umpqua National Forest: Tiller Ranger District
Time frame: Flexible. Prefer 12-16 weeks starting (at the earliest) in Mid-May.
Interns will learn how to key and identify a variety of Northwest native and non-native plants. They will map populations of invasive plants, as well as native plants to harvest seeds from, in a mixed-type (both dry uplands and wet valleys) pacific northwest forest and learn about appropriate techniques for treating various species of invasive plants. Interns will learn to use a variety of map types, GPS units (tablets and Garmins), and Avenza. They will treat a variety of invasive plants, restoring habitats and protecting upstream areas from non-native encroachment. Additionally, they will learn to participate in conducting botanical and special habitat surveys. They will have the opportunity to work with program areas other than Botany, such as Wildlife, Fisheries and Hydrology to learn about pollinator and big game habitat improvement, restoring quality fish habitat and unique wetland habitats as interest and scheduling allows.
Prefer someone who is familiar with some basic non-native species but mostly seeking a self-starting, independent individual who has an interest and aptitude for learning their way around a large forest district. This position will entail GIS mapping of new species infestations and documenting patches that have been treated but will also require knowing how to or learning how to navigate using a map. Comfort driving on forest roads, hiking and using tools to manually remove plants is required. Once the selected intern learns their position, the basic work plan might entail weekly meetings to outline goals and then daily check-ins on progress.
Compensation will be ~$30 per day plus included housing. Quarters will consist of a room in a house on the Forest Service compound.
The Tiller area is known for its warm water swimming holes in the South Umpqua River, cliffs, waterfalls and having the world’s largest Sugar Pine tree. The nearest city is Roseburg, OR – about 50 minutes away. Usually, interns and seasonals arrange car-pooling to town on the weekends.
For more information or to show interest, please send your resume and a brief letter telling what you would like to learn and how this position would fit into your personal goals to the Tiller Ranger District Botanist, Crystal Shepherd, at crystalshepherd@usda.gov by April 3rd, 2020.