Start/End Dates: February 5, 2024 – September 30, 2024

Compensation: $650 per week + $1000 monthly for housing

Medical Insurance provided on request

Application Due: October 31, 2023 

The Resource Assistants Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. You must be:

• a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• a college graduate.

* A personal vehicle required

Please Apply Here

Position Description: 

This is an 8-month position supporting the Wildlife Program by providing guidance and assistance for the protection, management, and improvement of wildlife habitat within the framework of multiple-use forest management on the Croatan Ranger District of the National Forests in North Carolina. 

• This position requires a detail-oriented and self-motivated individual that is willing to learn and is passionate about wildlife conservation and management. Primary field responsibilities will include monitoring cavity tree and cluster status for the federally listed red-cockaded woodpecker and wildlife habitat assessments within stands for the next timber project.  
• This position will participate in interdisciplinary team meetings with the District Wildlife Biologist on projects and assist with writing environmental analysis reports for NEPA documents as well as Biological Assessments and Biological Evaluations. 
• This role may include coordination with partners such as state and government agencies, university faculty, land trusts, and non-governmental organizations.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with providing technical advice and leadership for the Wildlife Program on the Croatan National Forest. 
• Participate in wildlife monitoring program activities by making observations, gathering data, and reporting findings. 
• Determine the need for and recommend wildlife habitat restoration, enhancement, or improvement projects. 
• Gather information to be used in environmental analyses and write biological evaluations for review by District Wildlife Biologist. 
• Participate in  interdisciplinary team meetings in all aspects of natural resource management. 
• Work in both an office and field environment.

Qualifications:

Major studies relevant to this position: zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology with two years or more of experience in 1) independently collecting and evaluating biological data; 2) preparing reports with biological findings; 3) assisting with development of biological study proposals, survey designs, and/or scopes-of-work or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s equivalent graduate degree in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology. 

• A valid driver’s license. 
• Self-motivated and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. 
• Physically fit to conduct field work during hot and humid weather conditions, sometimes in dense vegetation, in areas with ticks and snakes. 
• Knowledge and skills of oral and written communication to prepare reports and effectively collaborate with coworkers and with State and local officials. 
• Ability to create maps and data collection forms, manipulate databases, and manage spatial information with Esri software (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Arc GIS Survey 123, Arc GIS Field Maps).

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship. DHA status enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant. A DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. For more information, please click HERE.

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.