Natural Resources Technical Intern

Job Title: Natural Resources Technical Intern Time Commitment: 6 month position with the possibility to extend to 12 months. Goal:  Natural resources monitoring for NPS Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring program. Specific goals for this project include:

1. Assist in monitoring water quality and vegetation at springs in MOJN I&M parks
2. Assist in field site selection for vegetation, invasive plants, and soil monitoring in MOJN I&M parks
3. Assist MOJN I&M staff with office and field-related duties
4. Educate volunteer about the benefits of long term monitoring of natural resources.

 Description of Duties: Field work: Volunteer will assist with field monitoring of desert springs and vegetation communities. Monitoring activities for springs will be undertaken at Death Valley NP, Joshua Tree NP, Lake Mead NRA, Mojave National Preserve, and Grand Canyon-Parashant NM and include: driving on back-country roads, hiking, orienteering, measuring water quality with scientific instruments, identifying the riparian vegetation, and recording data on a field form. Volunteer will be required to spend multiple days and nights in remote locations and primitive camping conditions. Monitoring activities for vegetation communities are related to the MOJN I&M integrated upland protocol, designed to monitor change in vegetation, invasive plants, and soil in the field at Death Valley NP, Joshua Tree NP, Lake Mead NRA, Mojave National Preserve, Grand Canyon-Parashant NM, Manzanar NHS, and Great Basin NP.  Tasks for this protocol include: assisting the protocol lead in refining field procedures and techniques, identifying plants, working with the data manager to ensure that data management procedures are in place for successful implementation of the field work and data entry, field and office reconnaissance of potential field sites, organizing field/office/vehicle equipment, organizing and assisting in the preparation of a field crew for successful implementation of the integrated upland protocol. Volunteer will need to be able to carry equipment, generally in a backpack (up to 40 lbs.) from the collection site to a central location or vehicle.  Volunteer will be required to hike long distances, into and out of wilderness areas, possibly spending multiple days and nights in remote locations and primitive camping conditions to scout potential field sites. Field work consists of hiking, orienteering, determining whether a site meets criteria for monitoring, measuring plants with measuring tape, establishing permanent monitoring plots, photographing macroplots, and recording such data on field forms (see below for examples of office work). Volunteer must be organized, detail-oriented, and able to follow directions carefully, particularly for tasks such as learning how to collect data from MOJN I& M staff, review written methods and communicate feedback about the methods to MOJN I&M staff in a professional manner. The volunteer is expected to strictly abide by all of the safety procedures of the MOJN I&M network. Volunteer might use basic hand tools such as stop watch, measuring tape, trowel, sledge hammer, rebar, sieves, or other tools to accomplish tasks.  Volunteer may work with chemicals, such as standards for meters; volunteer is expected to take the appropriate safety precautions and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling and using chemicals.  Volunteer may change vehicle tires on unpaved roads when necessary.  Additional tasks a volunteer may participate in include taking photos, recording data and keeping detailed records. Office work: Volunteer is expected to perform project office-related tasks, under the supervision of MOJN I&M staff, in support of field work and preparation for a full field season for the integrated upland protocol.  Tasks include: organizing/cleaning/repairing field equipment, producing and gathering materials for field site packets, helping to prepare maps/routes to field sites, ordering field equipment/consumables, preparing safety equipment/documentation, interacting with park staff in professional manner, and assisting MOJN I&M staff.  In addition, the volunteer may also perform general clerical and administrative assistance, which includes data entry, filing, and photo copying. Volunteer may sit or stand for long periods of time.  Volunteer is authorized to use government telephones, photocopy machine, fax machines, laminators and other equipment to accomplish their duties and not to be used for personal use.  Volunteer is authorized to use a government computer and have access to federal facilities only when a background check is favorably adjudicated and has taken all the proper IT courses. All Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Policies regarding using and operating government equipment will be explained and given to the volunteer.Physical Demands: Parks in the Mojave Desert experience extreme climatic conditions and volunteers should be prepared to experience extreme heat and cold, depending on the time of year and the park.  The work requires physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, pulling, pushing, or similar activities; and recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. Volunteer maybe required to lift 20-40 pounds of material or equipment unassisted and maybe asked to lift heavier equipment and tools with the assistance of another employee or volunteer. Travel to field sites will require long drives over difficult terrain and may require long distance hikes under high heat conditions, carrying all required gear and water. Work Environment:Inventory and Monitoring field work is generally conducted in remote areas (e.g., no cell phone reception).  Temperatures can vary widely throughout the year with winter highs in the 20s and summer highs over 110. Volunteers may encounter, sun, rain, snow and other weather conditions; volunteer should be prepared for extreme fluctuations in weather within a day and for unexpected extreme weather, such as pop-up thunderstorms or snowstorms.  Elevation changes from sea level to 10,000 feet above sea level. Poisonous snakes and spiders are occasionally encountered.  Thorny vegetation such as cacti and cat claw are common.  Travel by 4WD on unpaved roads and by foot is generally required to access remote areas.  After appropriate vehicle training, volunteer must be competent in 4WD vehicle use and following all government regulations for vehicle use (e.g., no cell phone use during driving). The NPS will provide appropriate vehicles to meet the needs and requirements of this position.   Volunteer will need to wear all necessary safety equipment such as hiking boots, hat, long pants and long sleeves. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for the task being performed.  Examples: hiking boots for walking long distances on uneven surfaces, hat for protection from sun, long sleeves and pants to protect from sun and woody shrubs.  Volunteer is required to carry adequate water when in the field. Any volunteer who cannot meet the physical requirements of the position should let the project lead know so they can be assigned to lighter duty, if available. Volunteer should not perform any duties that are beyond their physical ability. Equipment:The National Park Service will provide all technical sampling equipment, such as measuring tapes, meters, GPS units, and camera.  The Student Conservation Agency will provide camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, eating utensils, camp stove) as needed.  The NPS will not reimburse a volunteer for damaged personal equipment; this includes but is not limited to personal backpacks, personal cameras, boots, or clothing. Training and Benefits:The volunteer is required to participate in the safety briefing on how to utilize the tools required to perform the duties described above.  Training includes: 

1. On the job training in methods in assessing and monitoring field ecology of park natural resources (vegetation, water, and soils).
2. On the job training in orienteering to remote locations using compass and global position system units.
3. Providing first aid, CPR, wilderness first aid and 4-wd training.
4. Increased understanding of NPS Natural Resource Management and Inventory and Monitoring.
5. Experience your public lands while assisting in the preservation and conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.

 Special Requirements:Volunteer must be a US citizen. S/he must have valid driver`s license and must show proof a clean driving record by providing a copy of their state DMV print out. S/he must be able to drive a 4WD vehicle on- and off-road.  Volunteer will be allowed limited use of the NPS provided vehicles when working at parks other than LAKE to attend to personal needs such as to purchase food (grocery store and restaurants), field supplies, and immediate medical assistance (i.e., physician, dentist or other health care visits; pharmacy). Volunteer will adhere to all NPS driving policies, rules and requirements.  All volunteers will undergo a background check in order to work on government computers and have access to federal facilities.