ACE/NPS NC: Appalachian Highlands I&M Vegetation Monitoring Internship- AmeriCorps

Summary: The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with American Conservation Experience (ACE), is looking for ONE Vegetation Monitoring Intern to monitor and protect significant natural resources in National Parks as part of the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN) and the Cumberland Piedmont I&M Network (CUPN).

This excellent opportunity is ideal for an enthusiastic young professional who is deeply committed to conservation in our National Parks. Applicants should have a strong interest in botany, ecology, vegetation and natural resource management.

This project provides opportunities for an intern to learn about natural resources, management programs and monitoring techniques in a number of Appalachian region National Park Service units, by gaining practical experience and training. As a result of this project, our hope is that the intern will be motivated to become involved in the natural, cultural and /or historical resource protection of their communities and beyond.

Start Date: June 2018 (start date may be flexible for the right candidate)

End Date:  21 weeks after start date

* A 21-week commitment is required *

Location: APHN Office in Asheville, NC.

20% (10 weeks worth) of project time will be field projects. Intern's field time will require overnight travel. Travel and per diem costs will be covered. Overnight travel will most often be required to three APHN parks (Blue Ridge Parkway, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River); and six CUPN parks (Cowpens National Battlefield, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Ninety Six National Historic Site). Occasional overnight travel to other APHN and CUPN parks and to training or meeting sites may also be required.

Compensation: A $285/week stipend will be provided. While traveling for internship accommodations will include motels and park housing; travel expenses are covered by the National Park Service.

AmeriCorps: This internship may be eligible for one 675-hour ($2,215.24 each) AmeriCorps Education Awards Upon Successful Completion of internship service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Position Description:  This is a 52-week position, serving with the NPS Appalachian Highlands and Cumberland Piedmont Inventory and Monitoring Networks (APHN and CUPN, respectively) as a member of a team that conducts field-oriented natural resources monitoring. Duties are mainly assisting with field data collection and related data management for the Networks' vegetation and water quality monitoring programs. Other duties may include assisting with early detection of invasive plants, and with monitoring air quality, freshwater mussels and cave resources.

Assist APHN staff with a variety of field-oriented projects, including:

• Assisting with a number of field oriented vegetation monitoring projects, including exploited and rare plants (APHN), and forest health monitoring (CUPN)
• Assisting with water quality sampling in CUPN and APHN parks
• Entering and quality checking monitoring data and species occurrence information in databases and spreadsheets, using Microsoft Access and Excel
• Occasionally providing field and data management assistance for other long-term monitoring projects, including early detection of invasive plants, air quality, freshwater mussels and cave resources
• Field operation and basic management of Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments and data, including uploading and downloading GPS data
• Assisting with organizing and carrying out field logistics to support monitoring teams of two or more people
• Occasionally assisting with formatting and editing technical reports produced by the Networks, using Microsoft Word
• Depending on the interests and background of the intern, occasionally assisting with creating Geographic Information System maps (with ESRI's ArcInfo software) to be used for natural resources inventory and monitoring projects.

Training: NPS will provide field training and experience in a variety of methods and instruments used to carry out several long-term monitoring projects. Training or practical experience may also be provided in data manipulation using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and other proprietary software, including Garmin GPS software, ESRI ArcGIS software and National Park Service natural resources inventory and monitoring databases. Training will be provided in Wilderness First Aid and Operational Leadership (a safety awareness course).

Qualifications: The successful candidate must have a background or course work in botany, ecology, natural resource management, or a related discipline and have a demonstrated interest in this field.

Required:

• Must be a US Citizen and Permanent Resident
• Must be 18-35 years of age (interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties)
• A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation. A personal vehicle is strongly recommended
• Able and willing to serve independently and with a group
• Able and willing to serve outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor
• Interest and knowledge of botany, hydrology, and ecology
• Knowledge, interest and/or experience conducting vegetation sampling and monitoring and aquatic field projects
• Experience in various field data collection methods using standard protocols
• Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Interest and ability to serve in remote field areas
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access, Garmin GPS units, and/or ESRI's ArcGIS
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check

The intern must be willing 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.