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ACE EPIC NPS CA: Lava Beds National Monument Environmental Education and Resource Management Internship (YCC Crew Assistants) - AmeriCorps

American Conservation Experience
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Summary:  American Conservation Experience, Emerging Professional Intern Corps (EPIC), a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service Lava Beds National Monument (LABE), is seeking TWO Environmental Education and Resource Management Interns (YCC Crew Assistants) interested in dedicating 16 weeks in support of Lava Beds NM's resource management and Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) programs, including facilitating field and education projects.  

This excellent opportunity is ideal for an enthusiastic young professional who is deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have strong interest in a career in natural resource management and education. LABE is unique among America's National Parks with a combination of outstanding historic and geologic features, not to mention over 700 lava tube caves.

 

Start Date: May 29, 2017

End Date:  September 15, 2017

* A 16-week commitment is required *

Location:  Lava Beds National Monument, CA. The Monument is located on the northern flank of the Medicine Lake Volcano near Tulelake, CA. The region in and around Lava Beds Monument lies at the junction of the Sierra-Klamath, Cascade, and the Great Basin physiographic provinces.                            

Onsite housing will be provided at the Monument located 22 miles from the nearest town of Tulelake. There you can secure fuel and basic grocery necessities. There are three restaurant options either in or near Tulelake. About an hour north you can also access Klamath Falls, OR this is where you will want to do most of your shopping. You'll find lots of shopping options for groceries and other basic needs, and well as several restaurant options and entertainment options.

 

Project Website:  For more information regarding Lava Beds National Monument, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm. For more information regarding ACE and the Internship Program, please visit:www.usaconservation.org

 

Compensation:  The ACE intern will be expected to contribute 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $200/week, plus a $250 field gear allowance. A one-time not-to-exceed $300 travel allowance in the form of a relocation reimbursement is available. Onsite dormitory housing is provided by NPS (no pets or family members). The intern will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel, though a personal vehicle is required for time off and transportation to/from the park.

 

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,527.45) upon successful completion of internship service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

 

Position Description:  Funding will be used for two interns to assist the YCC crew in the implementation of resource management activities. Proposed resource management projects include:

·       Cave restoration

·       Brush trimming around visitor day use areas

·       Exotic plant identification and removal

·       Native plant revegetation within disturbed areas

·       Back country and front country trail maintenance

·       Cave and bat inventory

·       Monarch butterfly habitat mapping using GPS equipment

·       Special projects with neighboring agencies

Intern projects will be conducted under the guidance of paid NPS staff. In addition to assisting the YCC crew with these projects, the interns will assist NPS staff with organizing the logistics for each project, for example:

·       Coordinating tailgate safety sessions in advance of project

·       Organizing tools and PPE in advance of project

·       Driving park vehicles

·       Maintaining YCC schedule, logs, and timecards

·       Creating project maps

·       Drafting an annual summary report of YCC accomplishments.

 

Both interns will be responsible for developing between 4 and 8 natural or cultural environmental education activities or presentations for the monument's 8-week YCC program. The monument is required to provide roughly 60 hours of environmental education to the YCC crew during their summer season, therefore, developing or coordinating one to two presentations or activities per week provides an excellent opportunity for interns to gain practical experience in conducting research on a topic, developing or coordinating a presentation or group activity, and practice their speaking and project organization skills. Examples of past activities developed by interns include one intern’s development and presentation of a PowerPoint on bat ecology, and another intern’s coordination of a traditional Modoc atlatl throwing demonstration by cultural resource staff. 

One or two overnight trips to offsite locations are anticipated. Each year, the monument works with the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) YCC crew and Crater Lake National Park to do a ‘YCC crew swap’ in which the crews from different sites collaborate together on projects at both sites. For example, in 2016 the interns accompanied staff and the YCC crew on an overnight trip to Crater Lake for a service project. The service project was very successful and the monument would like to repeat this in 2017. The travel and training funds included in the budget would reimburse interns for out of pocket expenses and also pay for any training opportunities that may arise during their time at Lava Beds. 

Physical Demands:  This internship position is high energy and requires the supervision of 8-10 YCC participants in the field and office. Much is done over rough lava terrain in some difficult conditions, usually wind/heat in a high desert environment. Conditions and risks include rough uneven terrain, heat, rattlesnakes, thorny plants, bees, and scorpions. Some backcountry projects require cross country hiking up to 10 miles while carrying up to 30 pounds of equipment.     Occasional field days may exceed 8 hours. 

Lava Beds National Monument is a high desert environment. Field conditions will vary depending on seasonal, immediate weather and local terrain factors. Daily temperature can vary greatly and very hot conditions should be expected during the period of this internship. The surface terrain is highly variable and most often rugged lava terrain or steep and loose unconsolidated slopes. Projects may take place in remote off-trail settings. Cave conditions are dark and typically involve climbing and descending rugged terrain and maneuvering through tight spaces below ground. Hazardous substances may be used during maintenance projects and during exotic weed treatments. Safety is a primary objective and all necessary actions will be taken to maintain a safe environment for the intern and the crew.  

Training:  After the YCC crew term is completed (early August), these interns will receive cross-training from NPS staff on one or more resource management projects including milkweed mapping using GPS, hazard tree assessments, seed collection, GIS training, and wildlife monitoring. These projects will provide interns with job experience in natural resource data collection, management and reporting.

 

Qualifications:  Applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in biology, environmental education, interpretation, environmental studies or science, ecology, biological sciences, natural resource management, education, park management, or a related discipline. The ideal intern will be resourceful, adaptable, and able to serve comfortably alone or in a group.

 

Required:

  • Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Must be 18 to 35 years old.
  • Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS.
  • Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences; ability to serve alone and in a group.
  • Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation; personal vehicle strongly recommended so you can access Tulelake or Klamath Falls.
  • Must be organized, accountable and outgoing.
  • Deep interest in ecology, history, caving and respect for nature is critical.
  • Must be able and willing to serve outdoors, in varying weather conditions, and capable of participating in physical labor.
  • English proficiency is imperative.
  • Strong leader and equally strong team member.
  • Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required.

 

Preferred:

  • Knowledge and skills in conservation and restoration stewardship projects.
  • A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources.
  • Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
  • Excellent public speaking skills.

 

The ACE Intern must be willing and able to represent ACE and the NPS 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 your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact for 3 professional/academic references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/

 

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