Internship-Yukon-Charley Rivers NP Invasive Plant Management Placement

Position Summary 

Work in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park and Preserve in Eagle, AK assisting biologists and natural resource managers with inventory, monitoring, and control of invasive terrestrial plants. This position is focused on working to stop the spread of invasive species in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park and Preserve and support healthy ecosystems. You will work independently and with a small field crew to complete these surveys. This position will require occasional overnight travel and camping to access more remote locations within the park.

Schedule 

May 19, 2025 - September 7, 2025

Additional Requirements for Application:

On your resume, please include all relevant experience gained through employment, school, volunteering or personal experience.

In addition to a resume please include short essay answers to these questions to receive full consideration for this position. You may provide your answers attached to your resume, or in the Personal or Additional Relevant Experience section of the application.

1. Describe your ability to work effectively in challenging conditions

2. Describe your experience working with a small team to complete complex tasks

3. Describe why you applied to this position and what you hope to gain from it. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Perform identification of native and non-native plants.

• Perform invasive plant removal by hand pulling (you will be trained on the proper methods).

• Record data in both digital and paper formats with a high degree of precision.

• Work and camp in extremely remote environments often in cold/hot/rainy/and buggy conditions. You will primarily access sites by hiking and boating.

• Work closely with a small team towards a shared goal, with occasional time spent working alone.

• Hike up to 10 miles per day on rough terrain where there are no trails, and may be thick brush and steep hills, while carrying a pack weighing up to 30 pounds.

• Work, travel, and camp in bear habitat safely (you will receive proper training on best practices and carry bear deterrent in the field)

Marginal Duties 

• Perform GIS data management and analysis.

• Use technical flora to identify terrestrial plants.

• Assist leading youth and adult volunteers in habitat restoration

• Assist with writing reports and completing other documents related to work done.

• Assist with other projects as needed (i.e. maintenance of land around public use cabins).

Required Qualifications 

• Ability to live and work in remote areas without cell phone or internet for extended periods of time.

• Personal, work, or academic knowledge related to botanical identification and natural history.

• Competency using Microsoft word and excel programs, and general computer literacy.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience collecting scientific data.

• Experience hiking and camping.

• Knowledge of ESRI GIS mapping and data collection products.

• Experience in and around boats, particularly small paddle craft like canoes and kayaks and small motorized boats.

• Experience collecting botanical vouchers and using technical flora for plant identification.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Park cabin or similar housing.

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park and Preserve is very remote and there will be limited availability to access grocery stores and other amenities. Park staff will work with you to make sure you are fully prepared for the unique nature of living and working in such a remote area.

Compensation  

$350/week living allowance

$1,500 one-time roundtrip travel allowance

$1,050 duty-related reimbursements (to use for in-season travel)

$1,200 Travel Booked by SCA (for SCA staff to book hotel stay for each intern during training starting May 19 in Anchorage)

AmeriCorps eligible (450-hour Award)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Not needed

Additional Benefits 

Bear Safety

Defensive Drive Training

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

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. 

 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.