Trails Forever, Trail Stewardship Internship

At the Bay Area's doorstep are some of the most beautiful and diverse parklands anywhere. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is one of the world's largest urban national park systems encompassing 80,000 acres of California coastal landscape visited by 17 million people each year. These parklands add immeasurably to the quality of life in the Bay Area.

Position Overview:

The Trails Forever-Trail Stewardship Internship offers the experience to work in conjunction with the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Presidio Trust within the GGNRA parkland boundaries. Trails Forever, a park wide initiative launched in 2003, was designed to accomplish the mission of creating a world class trail system by utilizing community stewards in improving the quality of trails, supporting resource preservation and engaging the community in sustaining the parks' trail system in perpetuity.

Responsibilities:

Trail Stewardship Interns will support park staff by assisting in the construction and maintenance of park trails in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. In addition Trail interns will assist park staff with the coordination of volunteers on trail projects.

• Assist park staff with the construction of erosion controlled structures, construction of bridges and boardwalks, routine maintenance duties such as brushing trails, outsloping tread and clearing drainage structures.
• Complete work tasks as instructed by park staff, keep daily work log and demonstrate proper work procedures and methods while working in the field with other volunteer groups.
• Follow guidelines in making safety a priority; responsible for use of personal protective gear and insuring that all tools, equipment, vehicles and other co-workers are working safely in all related conditions.
• Ability to follow instructions from all park staff, understand and respect all park regulations and policies.
• Ability to be calm and courteous during stressful situations.
• Enjoy working and communicating with a diverse community of people.
• Ability to work with a professional demeanor as a part of a team. Good public communication skills are a must.
• Proudly represent all partners involved.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity and/or desire to learn how to operate tools to perform trail work including, but not limited to; power drill, rock bar, single jack, shovel, rake, axe, brushing sheers, weed trimmers and other trail maintenance tools.
• Ability and/or desire to experience trail maintenance work, including but not limited to; cribbing walls, turnpikes, drainage dips, swales, installation of water bars, retaining walls, removal of brush and vegetation.
• Familiarity with and/or desire to learn natural and cultural history of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the role of trails in protecting these resources.
• Previous experience working with volunteers.
• Enthusiasm and experience with public speaking and contact.
• Desire and ability to work outdoors, at times in inclement weather and terrain. Willingness to perform strenuous physical activity such as frequent bending and lifting and caring heavy weights.

Working Conditions:

Work is mainly performed outdoors in hilly terrain near the Pacific Coast in elevations from sea level to 2000 feet. Weather conditions range from hot, dry and dusty to foggy, cold and rainy. Interns may work and operate equipment in adverse conditions that include extended exposure to sun, wind, rain, loud noise, uneven terrain, mud and various insects. There is a frequent exposure to poison oak and ticks. At times work includes strenuous physical labor.

Terms:

• Age requirement: 21 years or older
• Is transportation provided? Transportation is provided from the trails shop to the project location, but NOT provided from the dorms or your home to the trails shop.
• Driver's license required: Yes
• Does position provide out-of-pocket expenses? Yes, $125/week will be provided
• Does position provide housing? If your permanent residence is more than 50 miles from San Francisco, yes housing is provided. Shared room dorm-style housing is provided in San Francisco in the Presidio.

Compensation:

• Opportunity to gain a working knowledge of trail construction and maintenance.
• Opportunity to take 6 days to pursue an interest; including training and education opportunities in various departments within the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
• Experience working with a Federal agency as well as a non-profit organization.
• Opportunity to attend Park Core Academy Trainings on topics ranging from Plant Physiology, Restoration Ecology Theory to Tool Maintenance and GIS.
• Opportunity to live in and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and cultural resources of this spectacular park.
• Opportunities to work with volunteers from diverse backgrounds in trail maintenance and construction.
• Become a steward leader in your community.
• Housing (shared dorm room) and covered out of pocket expenses.
• Opportunity to meet other men and women from all over the world that share a common interest in preserving and protecting our natural lands.

Application deadline: March 25, 2011
Desired start date: April 25, 2011
Length of position: 6 month commitment
Schedule: 40 hours per week, Mon- Thrs or Wed-Sat schedule

To Apply: 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter (email delivery preferred) by March 25 at 5pm.

Trails Stewardship Internship
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Building 201, Fort Mason, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94123