Internship-Invasive Plant Managment Intern-PO-00800775

Position Summary 

You will travel to national parks across Alaska assisting biologists and natural resource managers with identification of native plants and collection of their seeds to be used for revegetation projects. This position is focused on working to support habitat restoration in Alaska’s national parks and support healthy ecosystems in the state. You will also cross train and conduct some work surveying for and controlling invasive terrestrial and water weeds. This position will take you to many beautiful and remote locations across the state while helping to protect our national parks.

Schedule 

May 19, 2025 - September 7, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Perform identification of native and non-native plants.

• Identify seeds that are ready for collection and collect and store them in accordance with established protocols.

• Record data in both digital and paper formats with a high degree of precision.

• Travel and camp in extremely remote environments often in hot/cold/rainy/and buggy conditions. After training is completed, you will spend the rest of the summer primarily camping during work time. Often you will access sites by driving, but you may also travel to field sites by small airplane or boat depending on project needs.

• Work closely with a small team towards a shared goal, with occasional time spent working alone.

• Hike on rough terrain where there are no trails, and may be thick brush and steep hills, while carrying a pack weighing up to 30 pounds.

• Work, travel, and camp in bear habitat safely (you will receive proper training on best practices and carry bear deterrent in the field)

Marginal Duties 

• Perform GIS data management and analysis.

• Use technical flora to identify terrestrial plants.

• Use small paddle powered boats to perform aquatic plant surveys.

• Assist with writing reports and completing other documents related to work done.

• Perform invasive plant removal using both hand pulling and herbicide treatments (you will be trained on the proper methods).

Required Qualifications 

• Experience hiking and camping.

• Personal, work, or academic knowledge related to botanical identification or natural history.

• Comfort working in very remote environments for extended periods of time.

• Competency using Microsoft word and excel programs, and general computer literacy.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience collecting scientific data.

• Knowledge of ESRI GIS mapping and data collection products.

• Experience in small boats (i.e. canoes, kayaks, rafts).

• Experience collecting botanical vouchers and using technical flora for plant identification.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing in Anchorage is not provided, but the Anchorage based staff will make efforts to assist with finding housing if possible.

Compensation  

$350/week living allowance

$800/month housing allowance

$1,300 one-time roundtrip travel allowance

$1,050 duty-related reimbursements (to use for in-season travel)

AmeriCorps eligible (450-hour Award: $1,956.35)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits 

Bear Safety

Defensive Drive Training

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 

 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.