Southeastern AZ Interagency Botany Internship- AmeriCorps

Summary:  American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Internship Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the US Forest Service is seeking TWO Botany Interns to dedicate at least 25 weeks to implement native and non-native plant monitoring and pollinator projects in southeastern Arizona.  This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation. 

Start Date:  Late June/Early August (May be flexible for the right candidates)

End Date:  Late November/Early December (OR 25-weeks from the start date). Possible extension as funds exist.

* A 25 -Week Commitment is Required *

Location: Interns will be based in Patagonia, AZ and travel to different federal land management sites throughout Southeastern Arizona. 

Compensation: The Interns will work 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $480/week, dispersed bi-weekly, for food and incidentals.  Onsite housing will be provided at no cost at each project site. 

AmeriCorps: This internship may be eligible for a 900- hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($2,865.00) upon successful completion of internship service hours. Additional AmeriCorps Program enrollment is required. 

Position Description:  The ACE Botany Interns will be focused on the development of botanical skills working with National Park Service, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.

Specific duties include:

• Work with partner organizations on native plant propagation and seed collection for upland and riparian restoration projects;
• Directly assist botanists and biologists in a variety of surveys and monitoring of native, rare, and invasive plants in a variety of habitats that include rivers, springs, mountains, and upland desert;
• Conduct botanical surveys to assess presence, absence, distribution, and abundance of both native and nonnative plant species at multiple locations within Southeastern Arizona.  Survey methods will include those typically employed by government agencies;
• Surveys for rare and sensitive plant species may include population status, distribution, and identification of potential threats;
• Interns will provide office assistance with data entry and species information compilation;
• Office duties may include basic summaries, statistical analysis of monitoring data, data entry and analysis (e.g. compiling data in Excel and ARCmap), report writing, and other miscellaneous tasks, including field schedule planning, professional development, and herbarium work.

Training Provided: Opportunities will be provided for the interns to shadow other government and non-government professionals within the Southwest to learn about botanical disciplines (e.g., plant systematics and taxonomy, range and grassland monitoring, plant propagation, seed collection, greenhouse use and maintenance, large scale growing of native plants, and restoration techniques) will be provided and encouraged. Working with other disciplines will provide a general overview on how the different disciplines are connected and how they work together to accomplish work objectives.

Primary Training Opportunities Include:

• Plant systematics, taxonomy, field botany
• GPS, GIS
• Compass Navigation

Other available training opportunities: Plant propagation, irrigation, erosion control, chainsaw use, seed collection techniques, greenhouse use and maintenance, botany, group dynamics, working with others for a greater purpose.

Seed collection will be conducted according to Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol (http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/fish__wildlife_and/plants/seeds_of_success/protocol.html) and will focus on species that are beneficial for restoration purposes, as well as pollinator support.  Interns will be trained in this protocol and assist the crew leader with plant identification, seed collection, and field logistics (i.e., communication with land managers, arranging for camp sites, choosing target collection areas and species, and gear organization and maintenance). Along with seed collection, the crew will conduct rare and invasive plant surveys on public lands.

Work Environment: This will primarily be an outdoors experience (80% outdoor/20% indoor) and mostly be conducted in a team or small group setting (80% group/20% independent). During this internship you will face extreme weather, work long days, be physically challenged, and face the mental challenge of repetitive, sometime monotonous work which is crucial for success in conservation efforts.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in any discipline, and have experience with plants, either in the field or through coursework. This is a highly demanding outdoor job that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, a willingness to camp and work in the field, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.

 Required:

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident 
• Must be between the age of 18 and 35
• Must have a particular interest in botany and be willing to undertake intensive training in botanical methods, including plant systematics and taxonomy
• A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required (documentation to be provided upon request)
• Personal transportation is required for the duration of the internship for personal travel (will have use of government vehicle for project travel)
• Must be willing and able to perform the above fieldwork in a variety of weather conditions (particularly extreme heat)
• Must be physically fit and able to hike in the backcountry
• English proficiency required
• Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required

Preferred:  

• Bachelor's degree in the natural sciences, in particular in the plant sciences or botany; any coursework or experience with plant systematics, taxonomy, field botany, or horticulture is preferred.

The ACE Intern must be willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization(s) in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.  Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received.  This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC National Program Manager, Peter Woodruff at (801) 989-7069 or pwoodruff@usaconservation.org.

Current Openings for Southeastern AZ Interagency Botany Internship AmeriCorps Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC