The goal 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 Science Technician will assist with southern pine savannah habitat management, fire management, fire effects monitoring, and preserve stewardship, within TNC’s Virginia Pinelands Program. Position will be primarily based at Piney Grove Preserve, an exemplary site for pine savanna management and the northernmost population of federally endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Project activities will include: prescribed fire preparation and implementation, vegetation sampling, equipment management, and preserve stewardship (public access)
- Assist partner agencies with ecological management and stewardship activities such as: fire line preparation, mechanical thinning of trees and shrubs, boundary marking, trail maintenance, and invasive species control.
- 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.
- Day trips to preserves and work sites will be routine; overnight stays may be required on occasion.
- Works under close supervision and receives specific and detailed instructions for required tasks and results expected.
- Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources.
- Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software.
- Experience coordinating information from multiple sources into databases, including data entry and report production.
- 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
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group, Fire Fighter Type 2 qualification preferred.
- Experience identifying native trees and shrubs of the eastern U.S.
- Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (brush cutter, chainsaw, ATV, two-way radio, etc).
- Proficiency with GPS preferred.
- Ability to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple sources.
- Ability to complete tasks independently within assigned time frames.
- Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.
$18.50 per hour; 35 hours/week approx. 20 weeks in duration beginning January 2019, few benefits.