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 valid driver’s license is required for this role.

Please Apply Here

Position Description: 

The Natural Resources intern will assist in the implementation of a variety of vegetation management projects within the parklands of Fort Baker and the Southern Marin Headlands, located in Marin County just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  A main component of the work will involve restoring coastal prairie grassland habitat for the federally endangered mission blue butterfly (MBB), in addition to monitoring MBB populations in Marin and San Mateo counties. Restoration techniques will include native plant revegetation and non-native invasive plant removal through an integrated pest management approach. There will also be involvement of community engagement to aid in reaching restoration objectives. Interns will have the opportunity to coordinate logistics and lead volunteer program events. Primary duties for this job include: 

• Native plant revegetation, seed collection, direct seeding, plant monitoring & invasive plant management using a variety of treatment techniques
• Assisting with mission blue butterfly monitoring and translocation
• Mapping vegetation communities with GPS & Calflora’s Weed Manager platform, managing and analyzing data in Excel and ArcGIS
• Additional support projects may include: installing erosion control materials, serving as a biological monitor during construction projects, assisting with site establishment and data collection for vegetation monitoring, photo-monitoring of restoration sites, maintaining vehicles and field equipment

Work Products: Key deliverables of the internship 

• At program completion, the intern will have participated in the restoration of 12+ acres of sensitive coastal grassland habitat that support the federally endangered Mission blue butterfly.  This work will involve the planting and several hundred host and nectar source plants, the monitoring and maintenance of experimental direct seeding plots, GPS mapping and removal of invasive plants, photo-monitoring and data management. Depending on the participant, deliverables may include the data analysis and drafting of reports for various grassland restoration projects.  There is opportunity for the intern to develop a custom project of their choosing that is in alignment with the overall goals of natural resource stewardship within Marin parklands.

• Volunteer coordination – Assisting in various outreach efforts with volunteers, planning and leading volunteer events, field safety, and volunteer support. 
• NR Program support – Equipment maintenance and cleaning, including disinfecting of shared equipment; coordinating schedules for field work; attending relevant meetings; and participating in trainings.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• A love of nature and physically strenuous outdoor work, with an interest in resource management, ecological restoration, and endangered species stewardship. 
• Aptitude for 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 use basic computer programs (Microsoft Office Suite, GPS/GIS experience not required, but a plus)
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds

Desired: 

• • Education and/or experience in the environmental sciences such as biology, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife biology, forestry, botany, and geography, or a similar program will also be considered.

• CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid training or willingness to be trained. 

• Experience using ArcGIS software platforms,- both desktop and AGOL.

• Interest in obtaining an herbicide applicator certification through the CA Dept Of Pesticide Regulation

Mentoring: The NR intern will work closely on a day- to- day basis with various team members of the vegetation and wildlife teams for at least 3 days a week for the duration of the internship.  We will pre-schedule meetings early in the internship: initially, to try to determine key areas where the intern has an interest in gaining experience; and then to have regular check-ins on how the internship is going.

Learning Goals: 

Under direct supervision, the intern will receive extensive training in the identification and surveying of local flora and fauna, as well as general habitat restoration practices like invasive plant mapping and management and revegetation of native plant communities through planting and direct seeding.  There will be workshops for skills development in botany, resume building, GIS, bird ID and more through the Park Academy courses.  GGNRA puts a high emphasis on mentorship and leadership building and so the intern will be encouraged to take a lead on one or more projects, and work within a larger team of park staff or contractors. There will be ample opportunities to work alongside other NPS colleagues in fields related to aquatic ecology, coastal processes, hydrology, terrestrial wildlife, etc.

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.