Adirondack Conservation Intern

JOB TITLE:

ADIRONDACK CONSERVATION INTERNLOCATION: Adirondack Chapter office, Keene Valley, NY

POSITION SUMMARY:

This summer internship provides hands-on exposure to all aspects of The Nature Conservancy–Adirondack Chapter’s and the Adirondack Land Trust’s work, both in the field and at our office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead Project: Under the supervision of the Director of Communications, update the Chapter’s website. Research and draft content, and select images and video, while following TNC’s visual identity, writing and website formatting guidelines. (2-3 weeks)

• Communications and Marketing: Assist the Director of Communications with preparing outreach, fundraising, educational, marketing and other materials for various audiences, including members, donors and the media. Assist in drafting and issuing press releases. Time permitting, help update brochures for one or more preserves. (2+ weeks)

• Fundraising: Assist Philanthropy staff with all aspects of fundraising trips and special events, particularly in support of our Heart of the Adirondacks project, including logistics, donor relations, and producing informational materials. Assist with one or more member field trips, and with the Annual Membership Meeting and Field Day logistics. (1-2 weeks)

• Threat Abatement: Assist the Invasive Species Project Coordinator with the control and monitoring of invasive plants at our preserves and at ecologically critical sites within the Adirondack Park. Directly assist with plant identification and rapid assessment and controls for infestations within APA jurisdictional wetlands, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Forest Preserve, and NYS Dept. of Transportation rights-of-way. (2 weeks)

• Stewardship: Assist the Land Stewardship Coordinator with maintenance work at our nature preserves throughout the Adirondack Park; visit those properties periodically to help with local outreach, and to document and take care of problems like illegal dumping of trash. Time permitting, update maps of conservation easements. (2 weeks)

• Conservation Science: Assist the Conservation Scientist with ongoing science projects. Priority projects may include a state-wide aquatic connectivity analysis or the development of forest health and monitoring measures. (1 week)

• Debrief: Maintain a journal documenting your experiences as an intern, and debrief with staff at the end of the summer. (Up to 1 week)

• General: The intern will work closely with many members of the staff, and will report directly to the Director of Communications. In addition to the listed duties, there may be clerical and other work as needed and as our summer work priorities evolve, as special opportunities arise, and as the intern’s interests dictate. Work will be both in the office – attending meetings, working on the computer, etc. – and in the field.

• Additional Training Opportunities: The intern will be exposed to a broad range of educational opportunities during the course of the summer field season. These may include learning about alpine plant identification and our efforts to protect sensitive alpine habitats, training sessions in identification of invasive plant species, accompanying our consulting ecologists in their field work, as well as meeting the inspirational conservationists who founded this program. Interning with a global conservation organization will broaden the selected candidate’s knowledge of worldwide conservation issues and strategies for addressing threats to biodiversity.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• At least 18 years old

• Adirondack resident or native preferred

• Minimum educational background: high school graduate, with preference for college/university students or recent graduate• Motivated self-starter, able to work independently with minimal direction

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Well-organized

• Demonstrated interest in conservation issues

• In good physical condition; enjoys working outdoors; comfortable handling a canoe

• Basic computer skills, including MS Word and Excel

• Valid drivers license and clean driving record

• A reliable vehicle (job requires driving throughout the Adirondack Park)

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Experience using power tools and a chainsaw preferred but not required
• Proficiency in Arc GIS preferred but not required
  

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING

• Ability to coordinate a large, discrete project with several variables, set realistic deadlines for each component, and manage a timeframe.
• Resolve routine problems independently; consulting supervisor to develop plan for resolution of complex or unusual problems.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

• Make day-to-day decisions as delegated by supervisor.

• Consult with supervisor in event of an unusual circumstance, problem or question that falls outside of specific instructions given.

• Follow work schedule for each project as set by supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT

– FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:

• Receives detailed instructions to complete many required tasks.

• Supervises no staff or volunteers.

• May work under close supervision or infrequent supervision.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in written form, with colleagues, members and donors, partners, and media representatives.

• Ability to interact with preserve visitors, members and donors, and the general public.

• Ability to work alone with minimal supervision.

• Ability to work cooperatively with a variety of staff and partners.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

The Adirondack Conservation Intern may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:

• Require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain

• Present frequent possibility of injury

• Require long hours in isolated settings
DATES AND COMPENSATION:

• May-September, 2008, 10-12 weeks total; flexible depending on the availability of the successful candidate

• $10/hour, plus mileage reimbursement (35-hour work week)
TO APPLY:

Submit (via email or U.S. mail): a cover letter explaining how this internship fits with your career goals and conservation interests, and describing your interest in the Adirondacks; your résumé; three references (employers and/or teachers/professors) with name, title, address, and telephone number for each; and a 2- to 4-page writing sample (may be excerpted from a longer piece); to:
Ms. Jan Maria Localio, Conservation Information Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy-Adirondack Chapter and the Adirondack Land Trust, P.O. Box 65, Keene Valley, NY 12943, jlocalio@tnc.org.

Please include job title in subject line of email. Screening of applications will begin on February 22, 2008.