Compost, Community Gardens, and IPM Intern (2 positions)

Responsibilities:

• Learn and perform all facets of compost production including building, watering, and monitoring compost piles, recording data, and making compost tea.
• Co-lead volunteer activities once a week with adult volunteers and participate in youth education programs at native plant nursery.
• Opportunities to learn about propagation, seed collection, ecological restoration, and community-based volunteer programs. 
• Participate in West Nile virus response program: collection and identification of mosquito species, preparation of samples for submission to state lab.
• Database creation and management (Access and Excel): pesticide use data, mosquito monitoring data, golf course turf health and pest occurrence data, tree disease data.
• Monitoring tree disease occurrence: Sudden oak death, pitch canker, and others.
• Develop and implement independent project based on intern interest.
• Assist with community garden projects, help lead workdays (5-6 Sundays/year), plan and help implement expansion. Work with volunteers on landscape projects.

Qualifications:

• College level coursework in: compost/ soils, ecology, environmental education, natural resource management, horticulture or another related field; and/or good knowledge of ecology and sustainability issues
• Ability to work with children and adults of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work in groups and independently with little supervision
• Willing to perform physical or repetitive labor on a daily basis, generally outside
• Ability to use basic computer programs
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Able to work safely around heavy equipment/ machinery including backhoe/ loader and tractor/compost turner
• Ability to work safely and with dexterity with hand tools, especially pitchfork, hand pick, and shovel
• Basic carpentry and mechanical knowledge preferred
• Able to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Valid driver's license

The job is primarily active, although office work and indoor activities are required.  Applicant must be willing to work outdoors, under adverse weather conditions, around poisonous plants, heavy equipment, and dust.    

Time Period: January 9, 2010 to November 27, 2010, 40 hours/week

Compensation: $125/week per diem plus housing at the Presidio, San Francisco

To Apply: 

Please submit cover letter and resume to Jean Koch by December 9, 2009 or call for more information.