Start/End Dates: November 3,  2023 – November 2024

Compensation: $475 per week + housing on park grounds

Application Due: October 8, 2023

The Golden Gate Internship Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers.

* A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Please Apply Here

Position Description: 

The San Francisco Bay Area is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. Reflecting this diversity, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, some found nowhere else in the world. This internship will be focused on ecological restoration of natural areas in San Francisco, particularly those hosting rare plant and animal species.  The intern will work with National Park Service staff and volunteers to conduct management activities to restore and enhance rare species habitat. Activities may include removal of invasive plants, installation of site protections such as fencing, revegetation using native plants, and the use of technology to track all work. The intern will also support the monitoring of rare and endangered plants throughout the GGNRA. The internship is mostly field-based and includes organizing and co-leading volunteer restoration workdays located at Fort Funston, Lobos Valley, Baker Beach, Presidio Bluffs, Fort Point Bluffs, Crissy Field, Lands End, and Ocean Beach.

Work Products: Key deliverables of the internship:

• Vegetation management – Conducting invasive plant control work in rugged conditions with hand tools, power tools, and herbicide if qualified, etc.; planting native species and assisting in seed collection.
• Volunteer management – Concurrent with staff mentoring – Helping to plan and lead volunteer workdays. This includes greeting and directing new volunteers on plant identification, field safety, vegetation management techniques, site history, and safety protocols.
• Rare plant monitoring – Assisting park staff with mapping rare plant populations, assessing population size, and managing all associated field data.
• Program support – Tool cleaning and maintenance; coordinating schedules and events; and attending relevant meetings and trainings regularly.
• Data entry – Entering data associated with rare plant monitoring, invasive species removal, and volunteer participation into park databases

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

• An active interest in plants, natural resource management, and community engagement.
• Experience working outdoors in varying climates, on steep slopes, and ability to carry up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to work well in a team while balancing individual responsibilities.
• Experience working with or leading groups and the ability to supervise, train and inspire others.
• Ability to work with adults and children from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to use basic computer programs (Microsoft Office Suite, GPS/GIS experience not required, but a plus)
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Also Desired: 

• Strong commitment to the preservation and protection of native plant and wildlife communities on public lands.
• Education and/or experience in biological sciences, particularly ecological restoration, environmental science, environmental studies, natural resource management, plant biology, ecology, or horticulture.
•  Ability to work independently with little supervision and self-motivated to complete tasks on time.

Mentoring: The intern will work closely with park staff, who will provide mentorship on a day-to-day basis, a minimum of 3 days per week, for most weeks during the internship.

Learning Goals: 

Gain natural resource management experience in habitat restoration, volunteer supervision, and rare plant monitoring.

Learn about Bay Area flora and fauna, particularly threatened & endangered species.

Increase Leadership skills.

Participate in professional development opportunities through various Park trainings.

Learn about, and convey to volunteers, the history, scenery, wildlife, and cultural resources of a spectacular National Park.

EEO Statement
Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.