Grassland Monitoring GLOBE Intern

Milnor, North Dakota (ND)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 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 students and recent college graduates to fill paid internship positions during a 10-week summer internship. This is a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates to bridge the gap between what is learned in the classroom and on-the-ground work in the world of conservation. Additionally, the GLOBE program provides interns with the chance to directly work toward a sustainable future for our planet on the side of the Conservancy, the world’s largest environmental organization.

The Nature Conservancy offers GLOBE internships in the following areas: Conservation/Environmental Studies, Science, Information Technology (Computer Science), Marketing/Business, Marketing (Photo editing/Production Assistant), Communications, MBA Finance, Policy, Government Relations, Audit, and Philanthropy.
TNC

The Intern will be part of an exciting interagency collaboration between TNC, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to determine broad changes in condition of native grasslands in response to grazing and other land management techniques. Data collected will contribute to a coordinated effort to compare management practices across ownerships throughout the northern tallgrass prairie region. The intern will fill a critical role in helping the chapter and the Grassland Monitoring Team to close the adaptive management loop.

The intern will be responsible for conducting rapid belt transect surveys in coordination with TNC staff and partners. Over the course of the internship, it is expected that the intern, in conjunction with a partner, will have completed over 300 vegetation surveys for the project covering over 3,000 acres within three key conservation areas:  the Sheyenne Delta (ND) and the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland (MN).  Data entry will also be part of the job. The intern will be responsible for managing data safely, including regular downloads to a hard drive, creating backups, etc. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance botanical skills and experience first-hand the unique beauty and biodiversity of the northern prairies.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Interns will spend the majority of their time outdoors, experiencing the beauty of some of the highest quality prairies remaining in the Great Plains. However, terrain can be rugged with numerous ephemeral and semi-permanent wetlands scattered throughout. Interns should be prepared for hiking across this terrain, and dealing with often hot and humid conditions.

• Experience working with Microsoft office.
• Experience working outdoors.
• Valid class D driver’s license and clean driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong field botanical skills and experience conducting field sampling are preferred. Experience working in grasslands or other terrestrial ecosystems of the upper Midwest or Great Plains is a plus. The individual must be willing and able to learn to operate an ATV to access some survey locations and to travel to different properties within the work area. Although some previous experience in the use of a global positioning system and handheld databases would be a plus, this is not required and training will be provided. The most important qualification is enthusiasm for working outdoors and the desire to learn.

Two interns will work closely together over the course of the summer to complete the sampling. After a training period, they will often be in the field during the day working independently, with staff around in the mornings and afternoons for questions and interaction. Therefore, they should be able to work and communicate well with others as well as independently.

• This is a full-time, temporary internship position with a position term of June 1, 2014 - August 8, 2014.
• Housing is provided

This internship is a unique opportunity to experience and learn about some of the highest diversity northern tallgrass prairie remaining. Training for this job will enhance their botanical identification skills, and through this job experience, interns will have the opportunity to observe charismatic prairie species such as Greater Prairie-Chickens, endangered species such as the western prairie fringed orchid, and numerous wetland and grassland breeding birds. Interns will visit three different tallgrass prairie locations.

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.

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.
TNC

• $12.00/hour for undergraduate students; $14.00/hour for graduate students and above
• Housing is provided for this position

ELIGIBILITY

1. The Nature Conservancy’s GLOBE program candidate should demonstrate at least one of the following:
2. Contribution to The Nature Conservancy’s diversity.Applicant has circumstances, experiences, skills or talents that would benefit others and would enhance the diversity of the organization.
3. Commitment to diversity.Applicant has shown and can demonstrate a deep and active commitment to the issues of conservation and human diversity.

Other Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicant has exceptional academic aptitude and record;
2. Applicant is able to demonstrate a commitment to conservation of the natural world;
3. Applicant must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Recent graduates applying for internship positions should be graduates of the past 2 years.

Intern Selection Process

• Applications will be screened for eligibility, qualifications, experience level related to the project
• Applicants will be notified of next steps in the process (within 4 weeks after posting date ends)
• 2-3 phone interviews will be conducted for applicants selected to interview
• Additional information may be required before making a final decision
• All applicants will be notified of final selection by mid-March.

To apply to position number 41461, submit resume and cover letter as one document. Resume, cover letter, and 3 references are required for each position. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 7, 2014.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. The information entered in the education and work experience sections are auto screened by the system based on the basic qualifications of the position.

You must click “submit” to apply for the position. You may select “save for later” if you prefer to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contactapplyhelp@tnc.org.