Ecological Restoration Internship

~ The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a destination for both locals and international visitors with its sweeping vistas, immense biological diversity, and unique cultural resources. With over 15 million visitors annually and over 80,000 acres of land, it is the largest urban national park in the country. ~

Internship Overview

The Park Stewardship Program is seeking a motivated intern to work in a dynamic community-based habitat restoration program in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Our work is highly variable and covers a broad spectrum of topics, including inventorying existing biological and physical resources, identifying and managing threats to sensitive resources, and engaging the surrounding community in "stewarding" important park sites.

Work sites are in a variety of coastal habitats from oak-bay woodlands to coastal freshwater marshes both north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Work will support four federally protected animals.  

Terms: 

• Applications due by Friday, October 10, 2014. Earlier applications will be given first consideration.
• Desired start date: Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
• Length of position: February through December 2015.
• Schedule: Generally Tuesday - Saturday, full-time. 

Responsibilities 

Description of Duties: 

The successful candidates will join the Park Stewardship Restoration Manager in doing a variety of resource management activities that change over the seasons. Duties include: 

• Plan and implement habitat restoration projects. 
• Remove invasive species using hand tools, power tools, herbicide, and other methods. 
• Revegetate disturbed landscapes with native plants.
• Monitor threatened and endangered wildlife including California red-legged frogs, mission blue and San Bruno elfin butterflies.
• Map key habitat features using GPS data recorders; analyze and display mapped features using GIS technology. 
• Evaluate restoration progress; collect, enter, and manage ecological data. 
• Prepare summary reports of monitoring and restoration actions.
• Engage local community by leading volunteer workdays and interpretive walks.
• Maintain tools and equipment and other miscellaneous duties. 

Desired Qualifications 

• A passion for tough physical work in hard field conditions.
• A strong sense of pride and accomplishment in seeing a job well-done.
• A love of nature, ecology, plants, and animals. 
• Familiarity with biological and ecological concepts.
• Experience in ecological restoration and endangered species management.
• Self-motivation, sense of humor, flexibility, and collaboration a must!
• Ability to take work independently and assume a leadership role as needed.
• Great communication skills; speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Detail-oriented and organized. 
• Basic computer literacy, Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint. 
• Experience with Global Positioning Systems, Geographic Information Systems, Photoshop, InDesign a plus.
• A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and willingness to obtain a Class B commercial driver's license. 
• Desire to work in a team with a diversity of people with different backgrounds, ethnicity, races, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints. 

Physical Requirements and Work Environments: 

• This is a field-based position with occasional office time. Must enjoy working outside in various weather conditions while maintaining a sense of humor.
• Extreme sensitivity to poison oak may be problematic. (Personal protective equipment against poison oak will be provided) 
• Ability to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds. 

Compensation 

• Dorm-style housing, a stipend of $25/day ($125/week), and transportation to work sites is provided if your permanent residence is more than 50 miles from San Francisco. 
• A stipend of $50/day ($250/week) is provided if your permanent residence is less than 50 miles from San Francisco. 
• Gain real-world work experience in habitat restoration at a highly respected non-profit organization with a model partnership between two Federal agencies.
• Opportunity to take six personal/professional development 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. 
• Opportunity to attend Park Academy Classes on a variety of topics including resume building and interview skills, park orientation and history, flora and fauna, mapping and monitoring, computer skills, and much more!
• Opportunity to live in and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and cultural resources of a spectacular National Park.
• Opportunities to work with staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds that share a common interest in preserving and protecting our natural lands while engaging the next generation of park stewards.  

To Apply 

Please use the email address below to send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to Christina Crooker. 

~ The Parks Conservancy and National Park Service are committed to diversity in the workplace. Minorities and people of color are encouraged to apply. ~