Insect Ecology Internship

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Insect Ecology Intern to assist with monitoring, sampling, and identifying terrestrial insects associated with various projects throughout the Park.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: March, 2022 (ideally between the 13th and 17th, however flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

End Date: 30 weeks from start date

*A 30-week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Williamsport, Maryland

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park traverses 184.5 miles across four physiographic provinces, five counties in Maryland and West Virginia, as well as into the District of Columbia. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.

For more information regarding Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: www.nps.gov/choh/

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $570.58/week to cover the costs of food, housing, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. Park housing may be made available in Clear Spring, MD, 9 miles from the duty station, at a cost of approximately $470 per month.

Position Description:

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park traverses 184.5 miles across four physiographic provinces, five counties in Maryland and West Virginia, as well as into the District of Columbia. Such physiographic diversity subsequently cultivates plant and wildlife diversity, which is evident as one travels through the Park. As an example, the Park hosts more dragonfly and damselfly species than from any other national park in the country. That said, little else is known about the insects in the Park and how they respond to habitat changes resulting from management practices.

This position will focus on insect trap deployment and monitoring; collecting insect and associated plant samples; active insect sampling; identification of insects; and various other duties, depending on interests of the incumbent. The position will contribute to various research projects during the field season of 2022:

• Sampling epigeic and aerial insects after prescribed fire management
• Comparing insect communities from first year (rosette) to second year (adult) invasive garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) plants
• Collecting and identifying floral visitors on Pycnanthemum virginianum, an imperiled plant species
• Assist in experimental set up and sample collection to examine insect communities at river otter latrines
• Sampling for floral visitors in managed meadow habitats

Duties for this position include:

• Deploying and maintaining pitfall traps and malaise traps to collect insects
• Actively sampling insect visitors to rare and invasive plant species by sweep netting and vacuum sampling.
• Collecting, processing, sorting, and identifying insects from trap collections and other samples

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to collect and organize data and field notes
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position may hold a bachelor's or graduate degree and/or experience in entomology, ecology, or a related discipline.
• Experience with various insect sampling methods, including pitfall traps, sweep nets, malaise traps, and other methods
• Experience identifying insects or related taxa using established dichotomous keys

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact NPS Eastern Program Manager, Madison Douthitt at mdouthitt@usaconservation.org

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Insect Ecology Internship Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC