Natural Resources Conservation Intern - Community Impact Summer Internship 2024
Name of Host Organization: Westchester County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation
Remote/On-Site/Hybrid: On-site
Worksite Address (if the internship is on-site or hybrid): Primary worksite (interns will report to multiple locations throughout the internship): Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (Wildlife and Natural Resource Building), 40 Michigan Road, Cross River, NY 10518
ATTENTION PACE STUDENTS: This paid Summer 2024 opportunity is provided by Pace University through its Community Impact Funded Internship Program to support our students and the communities we serve. It’s open to all enrolled Pace students, including undergraduate, graduate, and international students.
Under this program, full-time internships are provided by host organizations selected by Pace University Career Services staff. The compensation is $19.00 per hour. The maximum amount of money a student can make under this program in 2024 is $6,000.00.
Students must be enrolled at Pace University during the entire length of their internship, and NOT graduating before December 2024. If a student leaves Pace or graduates before the estimated end of their internship, the internship will end immediately.
The position might require you to report to a work site, work remotely, or work a hybrid schedule.
Please read the description carefully for all the details (work site location, hours of commitment, dates of internship, etc.) and, if interested, apply within the specified time frame to be considered.
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, you will need to:
- Complete program requirements for one of the following: ASPIRE, INSPIRE, or BUS 255 course.
- Be a currently enrolled Pace student (undergraduate, graduate, and international students), graduating Dec 2024 or later.
NOT ELIGIBLE YET?
- Domestic Students: Complete the ASPIRE Program requirements
- International Students: Complete the INSPIRE Program requirements
Please note: Eligibility is not immediate – once assignments are graded, you will be eligible to apply the next business day.
Once the application deadline closes, the host organization will review all applications submitted and select those candidates they wish to interview virtually. After the interviews are completed, the host organization will make their selections. Career Services will then inform selected students of their internship offer(s).
INTERNSHIP DETAILS BELOW. Call Career Services at 212-346-1950 OR email careers@pace.edu with any questions you may have during the application process.
Title of Internship: Natural Resources Conservation Intern
Number of positions available this summer within this title: 1
Brief description:
The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation is responsible for the preservation and maintenance of 18,000 acres of parklands, trails and open spaces that host a variety of habitats and a diverse array of species. As new wildlife and plant populations emerge and established populations change, land managers and researchers monitor impacts and use adaptive management strategies to promote conservation.
The Natural Resources Conservation interns support the Curator of Natural Resources in implementing and adapting conservation management plans, studying wildlife, monitoring target species, promoting forest health, and managing invasive species.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in the implementation of a large scale turtle conservation project
- Check aquatic turtle traps
- Track turtles via radio telemetry
- Perform turtle searches in meadow areas
- Protect and monitor turtle nesting areas
- Assist in invasive species management
- Use GIS software to map trails and habitat features and to collect data
- Assist with Wildflower Garden maintenance
- Assist in data collection to inform natural resource management planning
- Assist in collection and assessment of wildlife camera data
- Perform rare plant searches based on historical data
- Assist with bluebird nest monitoring
Who would be perfect for this job (qualifications):
Required:
- Majors in Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or related field
- Valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle (interns will report to multiple work locations around the County throughout the internship)
- Ability to work in potentially adverse field conditions including heat, humidity, rain, dense/thorny vegetation, and around biting/stinging insects
- Ability to navigate off trail and work independently in remote locations
- Ability to hike several miles
- Ability to follow a detailed procedure
Preferred:
- Familiarity with local plant and animal species
- Course work in GIS
Preferred start and end dates (Not to exceed 9 weeks): June 3rd – August 9th (students may take 5 days off during the internship to keep it to 9 weeks)
Preferred hours per week (Not to exceed 35 hours per week): 32.5 (typically 9-4 with a 30-minute lunch break)
Host Supervisor name and email: Leah Cass, Curator of Natural Resources