REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate will be a rising junior, rising senior, or a recent graduate of a 4-year environmental/natural resource program, or will have practical experience in fish sampling/studies, landscaping, horticulture, or a similar contracting background, along with knowledge of and interest in the outdoors. Candidates with a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Excel) are preferred. Reliable transportation to and from the Federation office is required.
INTERNSHIP OBJECTIVES
This internship will provide an opportunity to gain direct experience with the analysis of watershed issues and the hands-on restoration and adaptive management of watershed and habitat functions to the South River Watershed. The intern will:
• Work as part of an electrofishing crew conducting an ongoing scientific study to survey fish populations in pre-and-post stream restoration sites.
• Assist in the restoration of wetland, stream, and shoreline habitats.
• Become familiar with concepts of restoration, retrofit, management, and maintenance of wetland, stream, and stormwater sites.
• Learn proper protocols for stream, river, and wetland monitoring and assessment (vegetation, water quality, landforms, etc.).
INTERN TASKS
Electrofishing study
• Collect specimens using handheld nets.
• Identify, measure, and record all collected fish specimens.
• Transfer field data to electronic forms (Microsoft Excel) after sampling sessions.
• Have the opportunity to operate electrofishing backpack if the intern wishes to do so.
• Due to the use of electricity, no one with pre-existing heart conditions will be allowed to participate.
Restoration Projects
• Assist Federation staff with volunteer events focused on project maintenance and management.
• Assist Federation staff with on-the-ground wetland, stream, and stormwater project maintenance and management.
• Work independently on restoration sites to perform tasks, including installation of native plants, control of non-native plants, placement of erosion and grade control rock, and other maintenance tasks to be determined.
The intern will generally be working with Restoration staff, however the intern can and will work under other Federation staff and the Riverkeeper.
SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY
The intern will have a flexible schedule to satisfy his/her other responsibilities and to accommodate for occasional Federation volunteer events. However, eligible applicants will have a core availability as follows:
• Six contiguous hours per day.
• Three or more six + hour days per week during fish monitoring season (July-August).
• At least ten weeks of availability during fish monitoring season.
COMPENSATION AND STANDARDS
Compensation is negotiable. If academic credit is available from your school for participation in this internship, we will be glad to work with you in meeting the requirements for receiving credit. Beyond lunch and personal transportation to the Federation's office on workdays, we want to ensure that the intern does not incur any costs. The Federation vehicle will generally be available for transportation to and from work sites. If the Federation vehicle is not available, compensation for personal vehicle mileage to and from work sites will be offered.
REQUIRED GEAR
Comfortable clothing for working outdoors in a variety of conditions, including hot weather, cold weather, and light rain. All necessary personal protective equipment will be provided by the Federation.
To apply, please send an email with resume to David Lanier, david@southriverfederation.net by 5PM on Friday, March 9, 2018. Include your name and “Internship Application” in the title of the email.