WV Watershed/Fisheries Intern

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Today, Trout Unlimited is a national organization with more than 150,000 volunteers organized into about 400 chapters nationwide. This dedicated grassroots army is matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts and scientists, who work out of more than 30 offices nationwide. These conservation professionals ensure that TU is at the forefront of fisheries restoration and protection work at the local, state and national levels. Our mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Our vision is by the next generation, Trout Unlimited will ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.

Position Summary

Trout Unlimited, working with the Monongahela National Forest, will be filling a total of three temporary positions to perform field duties as part of the Monongahela National Forest's watershed program during the 2013 summer season. The positions will be paid a stipend according to qualifications and education. The positions will be based out of the Forest Supervisor's Office in Elkins, West Virginia.

Employment Period: All three crew positions are anticipated to begin work as early as mid-May, 2013 and last through mid-August, 2013. This position is a temporary position with no expectation of employment beyond the August 2013 timeframe.

Qualifications

Applicants must be a graduate of a related degree program or a current student in good academic standing who will be attending college as an undergraduate or graduate student in the fall of 2013. Applicants must have a desire to work outside while gaining science-based knowledge and work experience.

Responsibilities/Duties

The three-person crew will conduct a variety of stream and watershed surveys in mountainous terrain. These positions will be under daily supervision of the Monongahela National Forest Team Leader in West Virginia. Work will typically consist of 40 hour work weeks (4 to 5 days/week) that require driving to and from survey areas, hiking to and from remote study sites, carrying field gear of moderate weight (up to 40 pounds or more), and collecting physical/chemical/biological stream data from small to medium-sized streams. Other duties will be assigned as opportunity and need dictate. These may involve various watershed restoration actions associated with road decommissioning, in-stream habitat enhancements, riparian restoration, and aquatic passage improvements, among other tasks.

Requirements/Specifications

Maps and GPS instruments will be used to navigate to pre-determined survey locations in the field and collect geospatial information. Various hand tools, survey instruments and electrofishing equipment will be used to conduct field assignments. Approved chemicals may be handled during the processing of animal specimen collected in the field. Periods of camping may occur during which time essential camping gear and camping per diem rates would be provided. Weather conditions will not restrict field work unless elements of safety would be compromised. Standard computer applications and software would be used for assignments involving data processing.

Personal field apparel, including appropriate field clothes, rain gear and hiking boots, are the responsibility of each employee. Work equipment (such as hand tools, survey instruments and electrofishing equipment) and specific personal protective equipment (such as hard hat, wading gear, and field vest) will be issued to the employee by the Forest Service for use when conducting work assignments.

The employee will need to provide their own transportation to and from the assigned duty station. The Forest Service will provide a means of transportation for the employee when conducting official business as assigned.

How to Apply

Please send a letter of interest, resume and 3 professional references to Sara Litzau at slitzau@tu.org by May 10th, 2013.