The goals of the David A. Tice science and stewardship annual internship program is to introduce interested persons to the Conservancy's work, providing an educational experience in which the individual contributes to important ecological management and monitoring goals on Conservancy properties.
In memory of David A. Tice, a former Board of Trustees member and visionary forester who was instrumental in many of our conservation efforts, The Nature Conservancy has created a science and stewardship annual internship program. This year, the Dave Tice Forestry Technician will assist in the management of The Conservancy’s Conservation Forestry Program located in Southwest Virginia.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Assist Conservation Forestry Program staff with all aspects of forest management on the properties managed by TNC.
- Project activities will include: boundary marking, control of invasive species, inventory of forest stands, preparing and marking timber sale units for harvest, monitoring regeneration of harvest units, timber stand improvement activities, and routine maintenance of forest roads and access points.
- The position requires one to keep organized, detailed field notes, and to operate a vehicle and/or ATV to access the forest stands of the Conservation Forestry Program.
- Additional duties may be assigned
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain; may present frequent possibility of injury; and may require long hours in isolated settings.
- Some travel and/or overnight stays may be required.
- Works under close supervision and receives specific and detailed instructions for required tasks and results expected.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Equivalent combination of education and at least 6 months of experience.
- Education or experience with Appalachian Forests to include species identification and silvicultural characteristics.
- Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software.
- Experience working in physically strenuous settings sometimes to the point of physical fatigue, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and on difficult and potentially hazardous terrain.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent tree identification skills and silvics knowledge.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; experience writing concise scientific reports and/or papers.
- Knowledge of common software programs (i.e. Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Experience using GPS units and GIS mapping software (preferably ArcMap related products).
- Experience using data collection software.
- Ability to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple sources.
- Ability to complete tasks independently within assigned time frames.