Vegetation Team Member
The research sites are scattered across the Tongass National Forest. Some can be reached by road, others require travel by foot, boat, ATV, or float plane. Camping on site may be required.
The interns will assist the lead scientist (forest ecologist) in collecting field data for two large-scale silvicultural studies: the Tongass-Wide Young-Growth Study (TWYGS) and the Cooperative Stand-Density Study (CSDS). These studies test silvicultural treatments to restore wildlife habitat and improve wood production in even-aged young-growth conifer stands. The study sites are located throughout southeast Alaska on Federal, State, and private lands.Interns will work in teams made up of a crew leader and 3 to 5 Vegetation Team Members collecting vegetation and site data in the field. This will include measurements on site conditions, overstory tree characteristics, understory vascular plant cover, and plant biomass. All team members will ensure the quality, efficiency, and safety of the work done by the team. This work is physically demanding due to steep terrain, off-trail travel through dense vegetation and thinning slash, cold wet weather, and the remoteness of sites.Starting date is NOT flexible due to planned training. SPECIAL CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS: You will first report in Juneau, AK, for two weeks of initial training. After the training, you will be transported to Hollis, AK (on Prince of Wales Island), for a week of field training. After training, interns will work in various areas within southeast Alaska, based in Juneau or Hollis.
