Vegetation Monitoring Intern | National Park Service

POSITION:   VEGETATION MONITORING INTERN
ORGANIZATION:    National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Program
LOCATION:   Sausalito, CA.
POSTING DATE:   March 1, 2016.
OPEN UNTIL FILLED

OVERVIEW
The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) collects,
organizes, analyzes, and synthesizes natural resource data and information
in the San Francisco Bay Area Network of National Parks. This internship
will support the I&M vegetation ecology program. For more information
about the San Francisco Inventory and Monitoring Program and the natural
resources it monitors, please visit:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/index.cfm and http://www.sfnps.org/.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The San Francisco Bay Area Network of National Parks is seeking two
interns to join our team in implementation of the Plant Community Change
and Invasive Plant Early Detection monitoring protocols. The interns will
work primarily in Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes
National Seashore, but may also make visits to Pinnacles National Park,
and John Muir National Historic Site.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Plant Community Monitoring Program: utilizing point intercept techniques
to read vegetation plots; recording data; navigating using GPS; installing
permanent plot markers; photography; entering field data in a Microsoft
Access database and performing quality-control checks; assisting with
production of plot location manuals, using GIS, Google Earth, and MS Word.
Invasive Plant Early Detection Program: assisting in surveys for invasive
plants; collecting data using GPS units and/or tablets;
uploading/downloading field data on a web-based and/or GIS database and
performing quality-control; Creating survey tracklogs and other map
products in GIS and Google Earth.
Herbarium Work: Collecting, photographing, processing, scanning and
pressing plant specimens for digital and physical herbarium accession.

BENEFITS
Gain experience identifying plants of the Bay Area, one of the most
diverse regions in the California Floristic Province. Learn vegetation
sampling techniques that are industry standards in land management and
research.  Become proficient in using GPS units to record field data. Gain
experience with photography, plant scanning and image management. Enjoy
the scenery, wildlife, and cultural resources of spectacular National
ParkS while engaging park stewards. Professional development and training
days are available to pursue interests in other departments within the
Park Service and Parks Conservancy. Dormitory housing provided at Fort
Cronkhite, Rodeo Beach, Sausalito. Thirty Dollar ($30.00) per day stipend.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Completion of one or more of the following college courses or equivalent
experience: Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Plant Ecology, Field Methods in
Ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Biostatistics. Basic
computer literacy, Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with database
operations, ArcGIS, R, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign a plus. A valid
driver¹s license and clean driving record.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a mixed position with field and office time each week. Must enjoy
working in an office setting and outside in various weather conditions and
terrains while maintaining a good attitude. Occasionally, field work can
include up to 8 miles of hiking/day, most often, 1-2 miles/day. Must be
able to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Field
work is both on and off-trail, and frequently involves bushwhacking
through tall vegetation. Interns will frequently encounter poison oak,
ticks, spiders, mosquitoes, and other wildlife. While we have a
comprehensive safety program, and provide protective equipment, please do
not apply if you have any hesitation about the physical requirements and
work environment.

TERMS
Desired Start Date:  April 4, 2016.
Six month term, April through September, 2016.
Work week is Monday ­ Friday.

To Apply: Email your resume, a cover letter, and three references to Eric
Wrubel at eric_wrubel@nps.gov