Vegetation Ecology Intern | National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Program

POSITION: VEGETATION ECOLOGY INTERN
ORGANIZATION: National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Program
LOCATIONS: Sausalito, and Point Reyes Station, CA.
POSTING DATE: March 5, 2018.
TO APPLY: Email your resume, a cover letter, and three references to Eric
Wrubel at eric_wrubel@nps.gov

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 Bay Area I&M and the natural resources it
monitors, please visit: www.nps.gov/im/sfan  and
www.nps.gov/rlc/pacificcoast.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The San Francisco Bay Area Network is seeking two interns to assist with
plant community monitoring and invasive plant early detection protocols.
The interns will work primarily in Golden Gate National Recreation Area
and Point Reyes National Seashore, but will also make visits to Pinnacles
National Park, and John Muir National Historic Site. One position will be
stationed at Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA, and one position will be
stationed at Point Reyes Headquarters, Point Reyes Station, CA.

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
botanically rich regions in the California Floristic Province, a global
biodiversity hotspot. Learn vegetation sampling techniques that are
industry standards in land management and research.  Become proficient in
GPS and GIS technologies. 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; and Point
Reyes National Seashore. 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, a plus. A valid driver’s 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 dense 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 9, 2018.
Six month term, April – September, 2018.
Work week is Monday – Friday.
Two locations: Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA; and Point Reyes Station, CA.

The Parks Conservancy and National Park Service seek to increase diversity
in the workplace and reflect the changing demographics of our Bay Area
community. People of color and from all backgrounds are encouraged to
apply.