Education and Visitor Services Intern (BLM, Carrizo Plain National Monument)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is recruiting two (2) Education and Visitor Services Interns to support Carrizo Plain National Monument, located outside of Bakersfield, CA. Under the direction of the BLM, the selected candidate will support visitor services and educational programming out of the Education Center, located at the National Monument. 

Duties Include:

• Assist with and answer general questions for visitors at the Education Center;
• Assist the Education Center Coordinator in outreach programs;  
• Assist in maintaining the Education Center’s exhibits and garden both inside and outdoors;
• Assist with the development of brochures;
• Conduct sales of merchandise using the provided iPad;
• Give scheduled tours to the visiting public and special user groups throughout the season;
• Assist the Coordinator with unexpected requests;
• General clean-up and maintenance of the visitor displays and interpretive signs in the education center and around the monument.
• Possible travel to local schools or special events to give presentations on resources within the area.
• Repair and improve trails, campgrounds, fences and other recreation facilities as needed. 

Timeline:

• 13-week appointment beginning on February 27th, 2025, and ending on May 25th, 2025
• Full-time 40 hours/week 
• Schedule is typically Thursday through Sunday

Location:

Interns will primarily serve at Goodwin Education Center within the National Monument. 

Carrizo Plain National Monument is a remnant of a natural habitat where antelope and elk grazed, and wildflowers swept the spring landscape. Carrizo Plain National Monument can boast some of the most beautiful wildflowers displays around during super bloom years. These displays spread across the valleys, over the hillsides and down the canyons. Within the Plain are vast open grasslands, white alkali flats of the ancient Soda Lake, and a broad plain rimmed by mountains. Carrizo Plain is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species—including several that are threatened or endangered. The area has significant cultural and historical resources. Evidence of the valley-carving and mountain-moving San Andreas Fault can also be seen in the Carrizo Plain. The Carrizo Plain is approximately 250,000 acres in size—or about 38 miles long—and 17 miles wide and is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Nature Conservancy.

Carrizo Plain is rather remote with small towns like Taft and Paso Robles about an hour away that offer grocery stores, laundry services and gas stations. Bakersfield is about an hour and a half away to the east and beach access on beautiful coastal California is about an hour and a half to the west. Reliable internet is available on-site and plenty of recreational opportunities are available in and near the monument. Housing will consist of a newer modular trailer or a 5-bedroom house on the monument. 

Expect warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Most rain falls between November and April with occasional snow. Average summer temperatures range from the low 50s °F at night to the upper 90s °F during the day. Average winter temperatures range from highs in the mid-60s to lows in the mid-30s, with a record low of 0 °F. The Carrizo Plain receives between 7–10 inches of annual rainfall on the valley floor. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Hourly wage: $17.75
• No-cost, onsite housing
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums fully paid for by GBI
  • Eligible to enroll on the first day of the month following the first day of work
• No-cost $25,000 life insurance policy

Qualifications

• Earned, or currently working towards, a Bachelor’s degree in biological, archaeological, recreational, or interpretive field or experience in a closely related field, or a combination of relevant education and field experience;
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in and knowledge of botany and invasive species monitoring;
• Familiarity with identifying specific plants and plant communities or learning identification skills;
• Comfortable with making presentations in front of large groups of people; 
• Must be able to read and use maps, and have a valid driver’s license; 
• Must be able to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle on dirt roads; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills; and
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.

To Apply

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the posting will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Candidates selected to move forward with the application process will be contacted to interview. Interviews will begin in January 2025. For questions regarding this position, please contact msanford@gbinstitute.org