Land Management Paid Internship
Salary: $20/hour Schedule: Part (20 hours/week) or full-time (40 hours/week) positions are available. This position starts September 1 and lasts until mid-November 2024
To Apply: Please send a cover letter expressing your interest in the position and summarizing your qualifications as well as a résumé by August 1, 2024. Email application to: angela@cdlandtrust.org |
Position Description:
The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) seeks an intern to help us implement on the ground land management actions such as habitat restoration, weed control, trail maintenance, site monitoring and data collection, and hosting community engagement events. We seek to hire college students or recent college graduates to help them gain valuable work experience, provide on the job training, and add new skills to their resume. This position would be a good match for students interested in land conservation, land management, land use regulation, and sustainability.
CDLT owns over 7,000 acres of eastside Cascade Forest and shrub-steppe habitat. These lands provide public access to over 40 miles of recreational trails. The Land Management Intern will work on CDLT-managed properties under the supervision of the Director of Climate, Access and Stewardship. This position will also work closely with the Fields Team staff which consists of a Field Technician, Trails Project Manager, Conservation Fellow, and Geographic Information System (GIS) & Data Manager to support trail construction projects, GIS mapping, and property monitoring. This position will also work closely with the Engagement Team staff to learn more about community outreach and events that connect people to the land. Approximately 75% of the work for this position will be outdoors so we are seeking someone who is self-motivated and can work independently.
Job Responsibilities:
• Assist Fields team staff with land management projects which may include tasks such as fence removal, irrigation, debris removal, data collection, responding to reports from the public, etc.
• Support CDLT in weed inventory and control efforts guided by the Chelan County noxious weed board. CDLT employs an integrated pest management approach and methods may include herbicide application using a backpack sprayer, hand-pulling, using a weedwhacker, biocontrol release and monitoring, or hand tools as needed.
• Assist the Fields team with habitat restoration projects by seeding native grasses and installing native trees and shrubs.
• Trail and trailhead monitoring to stock supplies, check for graffiti and trespass issues, repair or replace signs, stock vault toilet supplies, check gates or fences, and collect trail user data.
• Assist Trails Project Manager with trail maintenance.
• Assist GIS & Data Manager with inventory, mapping, and site monitoring.
• Assist staff with hosting volunteer work parties and community engagement events.
• Attend weekly staff and Fields team meetings.
Desired Qualifications:
• College level course work in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Biology, Geography, Geology, or other natural or physical sciences.
• Valid Washington Driver’s license.
• Ability to hike long distances with a backpack in uneven terrain and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds to load and unload equipment.
• Either have or willing to obtain First Aid and CPR training.
• Ability or willingness to learn to read maps, aerial photos, and collect data using GIS/GPS systems.
• Flexibility to accommodate occasional evening and/or weekend work parties, as needed.
• Able to work independently with general direction; self-motivated.
• Passion for working as part of a small team.
• Confidence in and/or willingness to develop public speaking and interaction skills for work with project partners, contractors, and the public.
• Creative and willing problem-solver.
• Interest in helping to shape and improve public access opportunities and support habitat conservation efforts in Chelan and Douglas Counties.
Employment Status, Salary and Benefits:
The hourly pay is $20/hour and students will be a Temporary CDLT employee which excludes benefits except those required by law. Part (20 hours/week) or full-time (40 hours/week) positions are available. This position starts September 1 and lasts until mid-November 2024. CDLT will also hire paid interns in 2025 with positions starting April 1 that last 12-32 weeks (ending in June or extending through mid-November). The work schedule is flexible and can be established to accommodate coursework.
Benefits of this position for students include:
• Gain valuable work experience to help build a resume.
• Flexible, paid work experience related to careers in land conservation, land management, land use regulation, and sustainability.
• Learn about land management and conservation by joining weekly staff and Fields team meetings.
• Onboarding and professional training opportunities.
• Exit interview to provide a reference and to provide CDLT feedback in order to improve this experience for future students.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter expressing your interest in the position and summarizing your qualifications as well as a résumé by August 1, 2024. Email application to: angela@cdlandtrust.org
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust was founded in 1985. We are a non-profit organization that engages communities in conserving, caring for, and accessing the natural lands and waters that sustain North Central Washington. We have a 16-member Board, 12 paid staff, and over 1,600 members and volunteers supporting our work. Our service area includes Chelan and Douglas Counties. CDLT is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our conservation work. We seek to work with young people to foster future conservation leaders and strengthen connections with all demographic groups. See www.cdlandtrust.org for more information.