Environment for the Americas

Start/End Dates: November 6th, 2024 - October 31st, 2025

Compensation: $520 per week + housing on park grounds 

Medical Insurance provided on request

Application Due: October 8, 2024

The Golden Gate Internship Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. A personal vehicle is not required for this position. Applicants must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.

• U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident (“green-card-holder”).

• Between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. Veterans may be up to 35 years old.

• Selected applicants must meet the qualifications for the position, and be able to pass a federal background check.

Position Description: 

Two Natural Resources interns will assist in the implementation of a variety of vegetation management projects in the GGNRA parklands of southern Marin County, from Tennessee Valley south to the Golden Gate Bridge. This breathtaking geography, including Fort Baker as well as Rodeo and Gerbode Valleys, comprises diverse vegetation communities that host threatened and endangered species of fauna and flora, such as the Mission Blue Butterfly. Restoration techniques will include native plant revegetation and non-native invasive plant removal through an integrated pest management approach. Interns will participate in restoring coastal prairie grassland habitat for Mission Blues. They will also co-lead in-field volunteer programs and community events. Primary duties for this job include:

• Invasive plant management using a variety of treatment techniques (approx. 60% of field time)

• Native plant revegetation, seed collection, and direct seeding

• Mapping vegetation communities using Calflora’s Weed Manager platform

• Additional support projects may include: installing erosion control materials, serving as a biological monitor during construction projects, assisting with site establishment and data collection for vegetation monitoring, photo-monitoring of restoration sites, maintaining vehicles and field equipment, managing and analyzing data in Excel and ArcGIS, and monitoring rare/endangered plants/animals throughout the GGNRA

• The intern may have the opportunity to acquire their Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) through the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation as well as other technical certifications such as First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid, or chainsaw sawyer training.

Work Products: Key deliverables of the internship 

• Vegetation management: Conducting invasive plant control work in rugged conditions with hand tools, power tools, and herbicide if qualified; planting native species and assisting in seed collection.

• Volunteer management: Helping to plan and lead volunteer workdays. This includes greeting and directing new volunteers on plant identification, field safety, vegetation management techniques, site history, and safety protocols.

• Program support: Tool and equipment cleaning and maintenance; coordinating schedules and events; attending relevant meetings and training regularly.

• Data entry: Entering data associated with rare plant monitoring, invasive species removal, and volunteer participation into park databases.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• A love of nature and physically strenuous outdoor work, with an interest in resource management, ecological restoration, and endangered species stewardship.

• Aptitude for working outdoors in varying climates, on steep slopes, and the ability to carry up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to work well in a team while balancing individual responsibilities.

• Experience working with or leading groups and the ability to supervise, train, and inspire others.

• Ability to use basic computer programs (Microsoft Office; GPS/GIS experience not required, but a plus).

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Desired:

• Education and/or experience in environmental sciences such as biology, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife biology, forestry, botany, and geography, or a similar program.

• CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid training or willingness to be trained.

• Experience using ArcGIS software platforms, both desktop and AGOL.

• Interest in obtaining an herbicide applicator certification through the CA Dept. of Pesticide Regulation.

• Interest in volunteer pedagogy and best management practices in working outdoors with volunteers.

Mentoring: 

The NR intern will work closely on a day-to-day basis with various team members of the vegetation and wildlife teams for at least three days a week for the duration of the internship. We will pre-schedule meetings early in the internship: initially, to determine key areas where the intern has an interest in gaining experience; and then to have regular check-ins on how the internship is progressing.

Learning Goals:

Under direct supervision, the intern will receive extensive training in the identification and surveying of local flora and fauna, as well as general habitat restoration practices like invasive plant mapping and management, and revegetation of native plant communities through planting and direct seeding. There will be workshops for skills development in botany, resume building, GIS, bird ID, etc., such that, upon completion of their internships, interns will be qualified to apply for federal jobs in the GS-5/-6 Biological Science Technician series. The GGNRA emphasizes mentorship and leadership skill building, so the intern will be encouraged to take a lead on one or more projects and work within a larger team of park staff or contractors. There will be ample opportunities to work alongside other NPS colleagues in fields related to aquatic ecology, coastal processes, hydrology, terrestrial wildlife, etc.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training

About Golden Gate National Recreation Area 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the largest urban parks in the world. The recreation area stretches across three counties in California’s San Francisco Bay Area: Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo. In total, the legislative boundary of the park comprises more than 80,000 acres of land and ocean waters, with 18,500 acres directly managed by GOGA.

The park is part of the California floristic province, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. It is also home to many different habitat types and a large diversity of plant and animal species. Many rare species are found within Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including 37 federally threatened or endangered species such as the mission blue butterfly, northern spotted owl, and California red-legged frog. The park also preserves 91 miles of shoreline along the outer coast and in Tomales and San Francisco Bays, including the nearshore waters within ¼ mile of the coast.

Weather is Mediterranean and ranges from dry summers (with occasional fog) to wet and cold winters. The dorm and field office are located within the park. There are no stores or other conveniences within the park, but they are located nearby in the town of Sausalito and the City of San Francisco.