Vegetation Management Intern

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative is one of Virginia’s largest distribution cooperatives, providing electric service to over 184,000 members across 22 counties in Virginia. The Vegetation Management department is responsible for overseeing utility forestry programs, ensuring safe and reliable electric service through vegetation clearance, mapping and GIS support, coordination with contractors, and member communication. REC seeks a summer intern to assist in vegetation management initiatives and support field and office operations.

How you will make an impact
• Support mapping and GIS tasks for vegetation management projects
• Collect tree and plant survey plot data collection for use in a database
• Collect sample plot data related to integrated vegetation management activities (IVM)Scan, organize, and maintain vegetation management documents
• Assist with low-skill and administrative project tasks
• Shadow field operations (contingent on vehicle insurance approval)
• Collaborate with Vegetation Management staff and cross-departmental teams
• Learn foundational utility forestry practices, workflows, and decision-making
• Participate in department projects as assigned

About this Role
This position is available for current undergraduate students majoring in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, GIS/Geography, or related fields. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, interest in vegetation management, and the ability to follow instructions and work both independently and within a team.

What You will be doing
The paid internship will be from mid-June to mid-August, approximately 20-30 hours a week. Work may include both office-based and field-based assignments. Field activities may require traveling in REC vehicles.

The ideal candidate will possess:
• Technical and academic background, including foundational GIS experience and coursework in arboriculture, forestry, dendrology, environmental science, natural resource management, plant sciences, ecological restoration, or Virginia botany.
• Plant and tree identification skills, especially knowledge gained through dendrology and botany courses.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to follow directions accurately and work both independently and reliably.
• Comfort working outdoors, including in varied and challenging conditions.
Interns will also spend up to one week each shadowing: Customer Engineering, Operations and Customer Service

Requirements
• Current undergraduate student in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related major
• Basic GIS competency
• Strong communication, research, and organizational skills
• Plant and tree identification skills
• Interest in utility forestry and vegetation management practices
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including spending extended hours working alone in the field in all weather conditions.