Invasive Species GIS Internship (Vancouver, WA)

Invasive Species GIS Internship
Clark Public Utilities – StreamTeam & Eradication Nation
Project Location:  8600 NE 117th Avenue, Vancouver, Washington
Start date: Position available part-time starting in late March/early April. Full-time start date flexible, May – October.

 The watershed enhancement program at Clark Public Utilities began in 1992 and has grown to become a regionally recognized environmental restoration effort.  Since the program’s inception, volunteers from a variety of backgrounds have planted over 740,000 native trees to bring salmon back to Salmon Creek.  Unfortunately a variety of non-native invasive plant species threaten these important riparian ecosystems.  

 The GIS Intern will support the Utilities’ Eradication Nation program. This program is focused on controlling invasive Japanese knotweed and other invasive plant species in the Salmon Creek watershed while engaging volunteers and landowners in the community.  The GIS Intern will assist with field activities such as knotweed surveys and control, but will primarily focus on managing and processing GPS data taken in the field. Compensation is dependent on college enrollment. Individuals who have just graduated will also be considered.

Primary Duties:

• Manage GPS field data using ArcPad, DNR Garmin and ArcMap.
• Create field maps for survey and treatment activities.
• Manage GIS data to track progress and results.
• Maintain detailed data records for knotweed surveys, treatment and monitoring.

Other Duties Include:

• Ground-truth GPS data for a small number of sites on a regular basis.
• Conduct knotweed surveys with staff and volunteers along streams and roads using GPS technology to map locations of infestations.
• Conduct knotweed control activities with staff and volunteers including the application of herbicides during specified treatment windows.
• Conduct follow-up monitoring activities for treated infestations.
• Assist with outreach activities including: direct mailings, participation in community-wide events, and facilitating volunteer events.

The intern will have the opportunity to develop the following skills: invasive plant ecology, taxonomy and identification; invasive species management practices including survey and  treatment methods; and experience using programs such as Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS 10, ArcPad 10 and DNR Garmin. 

Position Requirements:

• Regular and reliable attendance and commitment to the full duration of the internship (May-October).
• Compensation is dependent on college enrollment. Individuals who have just graduated will also be considered. School attendance is not required during summer break.  
• Dedication to environmental stewardship, passion for habitat restoration.
• Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions for the entire work day. Roughly 0.5-2 days per week will be spent in the field on control activities and data collection during peak treatment season.
• Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with a variety of individuals including teammates, staff, landowners, volunteers and the general public.
• Willingness to use herbicides in invasive species control efforts, with training.
• Physical ability to walk up to 5 miles per day on uneven terrain (including walking in-stream) and lift up to 40 lbs.
• Primary work week is Tuesday through Friday; 7am-5:30pm.  Willingness to serve a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends (approximately 2-3 Saturdays or as determined by staff). Any evening or weekend hours would be for volunteer events and scheduled in advance.
• Willingness and ability to drive vehicles such as passenger vans, utility vehicles and/or pick-up trucks with attached equipment trailers, with training.
• Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record and reliable transportation to and from work.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test (random or otherwise).
• 18 years of age or older at the beginning of employment.
• U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ArcGIS 10, ArcPad 10 and using Trimble and Garmin units to collect data in the field.
• Natural resource or biology background preferred but not a requirement.
• Strong organizational skills and self-initiative to prioritize multiple projects in order to meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively work independently and with teams
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially public speaking skills.

Work hours / internship duration:
Interns are expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week during the summer months (June-September). Flex time will be given for weeks where interns are expected to work on Saturdays. 

Compensation:
Compensation is dependent on college enrollment. Individuals who have just graduated will also be considered. School attendance is not required during the summer break. $9.50 per hour to start; $10.50 after 520 hours. This is a non-benefited position. 

Submit cover letter, resume and references by March 1, 2014 to:
Bethany Lund, Invasive Species Program Coordinator, blund@clarkpud.com, 360 992 8787
Visit our website – www.streamteam.net, click on Eradication Nation for more information about the program.

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