Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017 Internship
POSITION TITLE Vegetation Monitoring Intern
3 positions (Summer-Fall)
LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT: 24 weeks (May 15 through October 26)
STIPEND: $125 per week + housing included
AMERICORPS EDUC. AWARD: $2800 education award
DUTY STATION: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN
BACKGROUND
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is recruiting qualified applicants for a summer/fall internship in the Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Branch in the Resource Management & Science Division. The Position is primarily field-oriented, and will assist GRSM I&M staff in collecting and compiling data to:
Monitor the status and trends of vegetation communities, rare and endangered plants, and other natural resources throughout the park. Assess impacts to target plant species and communities.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Vegetation Plot Monitoring: Collect plot-based vegetation data in a variety of forest types, conduct standard forestry measurements, assist with plot establishment, and assist with community-type classification.
Wetlands Inventory: Perform wetlands delineations, utilize Trimble and Garmin GPS to collect location data, conduct plant surveys, assist with wetland community classification.
Rare Plant Monitoring: assist with mapping and data collection
Data Management: Assist with data entry, GPS data download, GIS tasks, and other data management tasks as needed.
Experience with MS Access and GIS a plus, though not required.
Other additional / short-term duties include:
- Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring – Stream sampling using various protocols, microscopy and sorting, experience or coursework in macroinvertebrate ID a plus, though not required.
- Laboratory/Herbarium work on plant specimen identification and preservation
- Assist other Resource Management branches as needed with field projects
QUALIFICATIONS
Academic background in biological sciences. Applicant should be self-motivated, highly organized, and able to follow detailed protocols. Preferred knowledge and skills in ecology/botany/forestry, plant identification and the use of technical plant keys, vegetation sampling methods, map reading and orienteering, and GPS. Must be able to hike in mountainous terrain in hot humid or inclement weather conditions, carrying a backpack and other field equipment. Experience with river waders a plus. Good fitting hiking boots and raingear are important items to have prior to arrival. Stinging insects, poison ivy, slippery footing, ticks, and venomous snakes are known field hazards. Intern will be a part of a team that operates safely and communicates effectively.
HOW TO APPLY:
Application materials must be received by March 1, 2017. Materials must be sent electronically through email. Send resume, contact information for 3 references, and transcripts to Joshua Albritton.
Joshua Albritton
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
1316 Cherokee Orchard Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
joshua_albritton@nps.gov; 865-430-4746