Forest Program Stewardship and Monitoring GLOBE Intern

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.

Through the GLOBE (Growing Leaders on Behalf of the Environment) internship program, The Nature Conservancy hires undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent college graduates (2014, 2015, and 2016) to fill paid internship positions during a 10-week summer internship. Our mission is to provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academics and the real-world conservation work that contributes to the health and sustainability of our world. Additionally, the GLOBE Program offers a structured orientation, professional training, network opportunities, mentoring program, and real work experience.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The GLOBE FY2016 Intern will work with the Conservation and Science staff of the Texas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to further advance the conservation goals of the Forest Program. The Intern will divide their time between ecological monitoring and land stewardship/management tasks at several East Texas Preserves. The Intern will install, measure and record data for vegetation monitoring plots on various preserves. In order to effectively evaluate land management treatments and changes in the vegetation communities, a large number of plots are needed. With the sub-tropical vegetation and climate there is considerable vegetation growth and diversity. Conducting this monitoring will increase the knowledge of the Intern on ecological systems, Texas ecology vegetation monitoring techniques, plant identification, use of taxonomic keys and a GPS Unit, and data entry for Excel and/or Access software programs. The Intern will also be a member of the field team that conducts inventories for the endangered Texas trailing phlox, and the state rare scarlet catchfly and Chapman's orchid. Aquatic inventories will include freshwater mussel surveys and aquatic/fisheries surveys on selected preserves within the Neches River Basin.

In addition the GLOBE Intern will (under the supervision of the Southeast Texas Preserve Manager) work to conduct land management treatments (mechanical, chemical and hand clearing) to restore and enhance longleaf pine, mixed pine-oak and bottomland hardwood forests. Hardwood shrub control and treatment of invasive and non-native plants will be conducted. The Intern will also assist Preserve staff with the daily operation of the preserves which may include maintenance of 8.5 miles of hiking trail, boundary marking and maintenance, monitoring and upkeep of the public access area and care and upkeep of field equipment and facilities. If the Intern is fire qualified and can meet the physical fitness requirements they may participate on wildfires or prescribed burns for the Forest Program as needed. Their participation will be governed by the national and state TNC Fire Management Qualifications and Guidelines.

The Intern will be responsible working in the field with TNC staff, learning the protocol for the monitoring plots recording field data, taking photographs, organizing and entering electronic field data. For stewardship of the preserves, the Intern will be responsible for working cooperatively with Preserve staff to accomplish daily scheduled activities. Interns will be expected to work on prioritized tasks and also be flexible in the event of a change of plans, or emergencies. For some tasks Interns may be asked to work independently with the proper instructions and resources.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
HS Diploma or equivalent. Enrolled in an undergraduate program, graduate program, or a recent graduate (within two years of graduating from an undergraduate or graduate program) for biology, conservation/environmental studies or related field, or equivalent
Familiarity with basic biology and ecological concepts
Experience using MS office, Word, Excel, Access, and navigating the Internet for basic data entry
Experience with use of taxonomic keys for plant and freshwater mussel identification
Familiarity with Texas flora and fauna or a willingness to learn
Willingness to take direction
Willing to work independently or with a team in an indoor or outdoor environment
Valid driver’s license and good driving record required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working outdoors in hot, humid conditions
Experience with plant identification
Experience driving off-road
Experience using GPS units and GIS
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

This is a full-time, temporary internship position with a position term of May 31st – August 5th, 2016.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

This position may involve some strenuous labor such as off-trail hiking and fire line preparation.
The intern should be able to navigate uneven, densely wooded terrain.
The intern will potentially be exposed to stinging and biting insects, venomous reptiles, and poisonous plants.
The intern may perform duties outdoors in all-weather types.
This position includes non-traditional schedules with hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and days off other than Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Some overnight travel required; travel expenses will be covered.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

SALARY INFORMATION
$12/hour for those currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
$14/hour for those with undergraduate degrees and/or currently enrolled in a graduate degree program
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please visit the Student Conservation Association (SCA) GLOBE landing page at http://www.thesca.org/serve/program/nature-conservancys-globe-program to submit your application. All applications must be submitted in the SCA system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 6, 2016. Please note that the SCA PO# for this specific position is PO-00692047.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.