Urban Green Internship- Natural Resources Wildlife Intern at Big Bend National Park

Urban Green Internship- Natural Resources Wildlife Intern at Big Bend National Park

#PO-00800331-MEM | Posted 08/13/2024

About Us:  

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.

Position Dates: 11/4/2024 - 5/5/2025 = 26 week = 1040 hours

Position Summary:

The intern will have broad exposure to park operations and will complete the internship with significant experience applying natural resource management and long-term monitoring to support the diverse missions of a national park. Work completed by the intern will assist natural resource management staff in monitoring native species, invasive species, and environmental parameters, which will allow the park to quantify the need for and impact of restoration projects.

Member Key Duties and Responsibilities:

This intern will work under direct supervision of the park Wildlife Biologist. The intern will receive training on a wide variety of standard protocols used across the National Park Service and other management areas. They will contribute to the overall resource management program at Big Bend National Park by working on vegetation, wildlife, and physical science projects. Specific projects include using wildlife cameras to determine habitat use and distribution of mammals in Big Bend National Park, surveying sensitive and endangered species such as peregrine falcons and Big Bend gambusia, perform aerial surveys of trespass livestock in the Park’s fixed-wing plane, learning the air quality monitoring protocols and assisting with weekly station checks, performing well monitoring in the back country, assisting the physical science and interpretation program in night sky surveys, and habitat restoration and surveys. There will be opportunities to collaborate with other divisions in the park (Fire, Facilities Maintenance, Interpretation, and Visitor & Resource Protection) during these and other projects. This intern will gain a wide array of experience in multiple natural resources fields.

Member Marginal Duties:

Marginal duties such as organizing equipment, filing documents, and performing vehicle safety checks will be tasked when appropriate.

Member Required Qualifications:

Applicants that have experience with these tasks and skills in their applications: experience hiking, camping, and navigating in backcountry; monitoring or assessing disturbance to natural resources; documenting or reporting on treatments for invasive plants/fuels/nuisance animals; monitoring vegetation conditions; identifying wildlife including mammals and birds; habitat restoration or vegetation management.

Please note that Big Bend is extremely remote, and it is necessary to have a personal vehicle to go the grocery store or get any other personal supplies/needs. There is a small grocery store in Terlingua (30 miles away) and a larger one in Alpine (100 miles away).

Member Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants who have had college or graduate level coursework in biological sciences. Applicants that have some college level coursework in the natural sciences such as wildlife biology, botany, and ecology, OR coursework in natural resource management or park/land management. Although not required, competitive applicants will be familiar with using ArcGISPro and ArcGISOnline environment to create maps and surveys (including Survey123 and/or the Field Maps app).

Member must have a valid drivers license. The member will drive 4x4 work vehicles as part of their duty.

Likely Working Conditions applicable to the member:

Outdoor, Conservation, and/or Historic Preservation Project Work

Wildland Fire Work Pack Test - Arduous Duty

Member Benefits:

$520 per week living allowance

$1,100 one-time relocation travel

$80 per week commuter allowance

Housing for intern provided.

Physical requirements and working conditions of the member position:

Ability to lift 40 pounds and hike up to 14 miles

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.