Application Deadline: Apply by 5pm on Thursday April 10th for priority consideration.

Internship Information: This is a 120-hour internship, with a work schedule to be determined upon hiring. The position runs from May through the end of June 2025.

Stipend: $2,000 stipend distributed in two installments.

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a course of study at an institution of higher education related to natural resource management or environmental studies OR be able to articulate how this internship relates to their professional and educational goals in their cover letter. Preference will be given to students in junior or senior year standing.

How to Apply

Please submit the following to be considered: 1) a current resume, 2) a cover letter, and 3) a list of three references with contact information (phone and email) and their relationship to you. In your cover letter please describe how this internship will help advance your educational and career goals, and highlight how your experience and knowledge will contribute to your success in this position.

Submit application materials by email to: clint.nichols@jswcd.org with the subject line “Riparian Restoration Monitoring Internship.” Interviews will be held for qualified applicants April 11 and 14th over Zoom.

Internship Description

The Riparian Restoration Monitoring Internship provides hands-on experience to an individual interested in field ecology, wildlife habitat and natural resource management and helps to develop future professionals who can continue this important work. The intern will learn and gain practical, career-related experience and education within a professional setting, for the mutual benefit of the student and the District.  The position being offered is for an internship only, and the District makes no offer or guarantee of current or future employment.

This position assists the Riparian Resource Conservationist with collecting vegetation data across two riparian restoration projects in Jackson County. Data collection includes field work in riparian forests adjacent to agricultural lands along several streams with various types of terrain and weather conditions. This position also includes some office and computer work to process data collected in the field.

Under the supervision and guidance of the JSWCD Riparian Resource Conservationist, the intern will:

·        Establish vegetation monitoring plots within riparian forests undergoing active restoration work. Plot establishment includes navigating to location using digital and analog maps, determining appropriate plot centers and marking them, and collecting baseline vegetation data.

·        Collecting vegetation data from established plots, including navigating the existing plots using digital and analog maps, reestablishing plots, and collecting vegetation data including native and invasive species identification, estimating percentage of cover, and using handheld tools like spherical densiometers to measure canopy closure.

·        Analysis of vegetation data, including imputing field data into Excel, checking for errors or omitted data, and summarizing vegetation data into charts and graphs to reflect that year’s collected data.

·        Other duties as assigned.

Skills and experience the intern will gain:

·        Experience with ESRI ArcPro and Avenza software or navigation with georeferenced maps on handheld devices

·        Experience with standard off-trail navigation devices, such as compasses, paper maps, etc.

·        Experience with phone-app digital cameras, specifically with Heads Up Displays (HUDs) that show GPS coordinates and aspect.

·        Experience with plot establishment, such as plot location selection, plot staking and flagging, use of a 100’ tape measure, and visual estimations of plot radii.

·        Experience with plant identification, use of plant identification guides such as books, field guides, and phone-based plant identification apps.

·        Experience with visual and tool-based assessment of vegetative characteristics of plots, such as ground cover, presence/absence of target invasive species, native tree and shrub species, counts, and height, and use of a spherical crown densiometers.

·        Experience with entering data into Excel, performing data analysis, and creating charts and graphs to visually display data.

·        Experience working in private lands conservation and an understanding of the work of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and partners.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following characteristics:

·        Passion for riparian restoration and the mission of Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District.

·        A desire to learn about private lands conservation practices in Jackson County.

·        Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·        Previous volunteer or work experience in an outdoor/field environment.

·        Comfortability with hiking off trail in potentially inclement weather.

·        College level course work in environmental science, natural resource conservation, restoration, or similar.

·        Interest in exploring a career in natural resource conservation and management.

Conditions

The applicant must have the ability to hike off-trail over uneven terrain in varying weather conditions, crossing moving water, climbing over/under fencing, carrying up to 25 lbs., and comfort with working around livestock and horses.

This internship is based out of Central Point, Oregon with frequent travel to project sites across Jackson County, OR. A personal vehicle is not required to perform the duties of the internship, but the intern must be able to get to and from the work station at Central Point independently.

Interpersonal Contacts and Non-Discrimination

The employee must be able to work in a team/collaborative environment. It is essential that this position maintains effective working relationships with the District staff and partners for effective communication and implementation of natural resource projects and educational events.

Jackson Soil and Water District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. The District is an equal opportunity employer. This position will perform in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws for equal employment and other requirements of civil rights statutes.