Mono Lake Intern

PAY: $17.00 per hour

STATUS: Non-exempt, full-time

DURATION: May 16 through September 15 (somewhat flexible)

LOCATION: Lee Vining

Position Description

Description:

The Mono Lake Committee is a 16,000-member non-profit citizens’ group dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Mono Basin ecosystem; educating the public about Mono Lake and the impacts on the environment of excessive water use; and promoting cooperative solutions that meet real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas.

As a Mono Lake Intern you will assist with the Committee’s non-profit, mission-focused work. Duties typically include:

• staffing the Information Center & Bookstore (~40%)
• leading interpretive programs (~30%)
• working in the Mono Lake Committee office to support the organization’s work to protect and restore Mono Lake (~30%)

The Mono Lake Intern position is valuable for those wanting to further their communication skills and gain practical experience working for a successful environmental non-profit.

In this role you will:

• Staff the Information Center & Bookstore. This includes:
• communicating the Mono Lake Committee’s mission and promoting Mono Lake Committee memberships
• completing retail sales using our point-of-sale cash and credit card register system
• providing visitors with detailed and accurate information about the region, Mono Lake ecology, and the current status of Mono Lake protection and restoration
• ensuring the store is neat and well stocked at all times and sanitizing the store, restroom, and outdoor picnic and reception areas.
• Lead education programs at Mono Lake, including guided canoe tours on Mono Lake and walking tours of the South Tufa area.
• Other duties include assisting with program reservations, answering phones, fulfilling information requests via phone, mail, and email, assisting with Mono Lake Committee membership projects and recruitment, event planning, social media, writing assignments, and other office and field tasks needed to support operations and mission.
• Additional duties and projects may be assigned based on skills, interest, initiative, and organization needs. Because of COVID-19, duties and assignments may change unexpectedly, and additional flexibility is appreciated.

Qualifications:

• Strong work ethic and a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Excellent customer service and money handling skills.
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Desire to learn more about how a successful non-profit operates.
• Desire to interpret natural history and environmental water issues for the public.
• Ability to regularly work opening and closing shifts in the Information Center & Bookstore; these shifts may start at 8:30am or end at 7:30pm.
• Ability to work one or two 6:30am canoe tour shifts each weekend.
• Flexibility under a changing schedule.
• Commitment to following the Committee’s COVID-19 protocol, which includes being vaccinated.
• A valid driver’s license and good driving record are required (contact us with any questions).
• Must pass a background check to confirm you do not have any criminal violations relevant to working with youth.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training on Mono Basin ecology, California water policy, environmental interpretation, retail operations, canoe safety, and more.
• First Aid and CPR certification training.
• Paid time off for observed holidays that occur during time of employment.
• Mileage is paid for all job-related travel from place of work in personal vehicle.
• Affordable shared housing within walking distance of the office in Lee Vining.
• Employee discount on merchandise in the Information Center & Bookstore.

Additional information:

Intern positions are temporary, lasting from three to six months. Interns work 40 hours per week with two consecutive days off.

Shared housing is available through the Committee at $300/month (sorry, no pets).

We provide comprehensive training to develop a thorough understanding of the Mono Basin and the Mono Lake Committee in order to be able to fulfill job duties.

The Mono Basin is composed of sagebrush steppe, pinyon-juniper, and Jeffrey pine forest plant communities, 46,000 acres of Mono Lake, numerous 12,000+ foot Sierra peaks, and plug-dome volcanoes. The Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore is in the town of Lee Vining (population 400, elevation 6,780′), on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park near Mono Lake. The town is located adjacent to the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, and the Ansel Adams and Hoover wilderness areas. Lee Vining is situated along Highway 395, 30 miles north of Mammoth Lakes, California and 110 miles south of Carson City, Nevada.

Birding Intern

PAY: $18.00 per hour

STATUS: Non-exempt, full-time

DURATION: May 16 (could start as early as March 16)–September 15

LOCATION: Lee Vining, California 

Position Description

Description:

The Mono Lake Committee is a 16,000-member non-profit citizens’ group dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Mono Basin ecosystem; educating the public about Mono Lake and the impacts on the environment of excessive water use; and promoting cooperative solutions that meet real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas.

The Birding Intern position is similar to the Mono Lake Intern position with a special emphasis on leading interpretive bird walks, assisting with the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua, and supporting existing research projects. As the Birding Intern, you will work closely with other Mono Lake Interns leading interpretive education programs, staffing the Information Center & Bookstore, and working in the Mono Lake Committee office.

As the Birding Intern your duties will typically include:

• leading interpretive programs and supporting existing bird research projects (~50%)
• staffing the Information Center & Bookstore (~35%)
• working in the Mono Lake Committee office to support the organization’s work to protect and restore Mono Lake (~15%)

The Birding Intern position is ideal for bird enthusiasts wanting to further their interpretive, communication, and guiding skills and gain experience in environmental non-profit work.

In this role you will:

• Lead weekly morning bird walks along the northwest shore of Mono Lake and Lundy Canyon.
• Provide interpretive environmental education programs at Mono Lake, including guided canoe tours on Mono Lake and walking tours of the South Tufa area.
• Assist with the annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua.
• Assist with bird research at Mono Lake as job schedule allows.
• Staff the Information Center & Bookstore. This includes:
  • communicating the Mono Lake Committee’s mission and promoting Mono Lake Committee memberships
  • completing retail sales using our point-of-sale cash and credit card register system
  • providing visitors with detailed and accurate information about the region, Mono Lake ecology, and the current status of Mono Lake protection and restoration
  • ensuring the store is neat and well stocked at all times and sanitizing the store, restroom, and outdoor picnic and reception areas.
• Other duties include assisting with program reservations, answering phones, fulfilling information requests via phone, mail, and email, assisting with Mono Lake Committee membership projects and recruitment, event planning, social media, writing assignments, and other office and field tasks needed to support operations and mission.
• Additional duties and projects may be assigned based on skills, interest, initiative, and organization needs. Because of COVID-19, duties and assignments may change unexpectedly, and additional flexibility is appreciated.

Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of birds and field identification through experience and/or education.
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong work ethic and a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Desire to learn more about how a successful non-profit operates.
• Ability to be flexible under a changing schedule.
• Commitment to following the Committee’s COVID-19 protocol, which includes being vaccinated.
• A valid driver’s license and good driving record are required (contact us with any questions).
• Must pass a background check to confirm you do not have any criminal violations relevant to working with youth.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training on Mono Basin ecology, California water policy, environmental interpretation, retail operations, canoe safety, and more.
• First Aid and CPR certification training.
• Paid time off for observed holidays that occur during employment.
• Mileage is paid for all job-related travel from place of work in personal vehicle.
• Affordable shared housing within walking distance of the office in Lee Vining.
• Employee discount on merchandise in the Information Center & Bookstore.

Additional information:

The Birding Intern position is temporary, lasting from four to six months. The Birding Intern works 40 hours per week with two consecutive days off.

Shared housing is available through the Committee at $300/month (sorry, no pets).

We provide comprehensive training to develop a thorough understanding of the Mono Basin and the Mono Lake Committee in order to be able to fulfill job duties.

The Mono Basin is composed of sagebrush steppe, pinyon-juniper, and Jeffrey pine forest plant communities, 46,000 acres of Mono Lake, numerous 12,000+ foot Sierra peaks, and plug-dome volcanoes. The Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore is in the town of Lee Vining (population 400, elevation 6,780′), on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park near Mono Lake. The town is located adjacent to the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, and the Ansel Adams and Hoover wilderness areas. Lee Vining is situated along Highway 395, 30 miles north of Mammoth Lakes, California and 110 miles south of Carson City, Nevada.

Education Intern

PAY: $17.00–$18.00/hour, based on experience

STATUS: Non-exempt, full-time

DURATION: May–October

LOCATION: Lee Vining, California 

Position Description

Description:

The Mono Lake Committee is a 16,000-member non-profit citizens’ group dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Mono Basin ecosystem; educating the public about Mono Lake and the impacts on the environment of excessive water use; and promoting cooperative solutions that meet real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas.

The Education Intern supports the Committee’s non-profit, mission-focused work with a focus on education programs. Duties typically include:

• assisting with Mono Basin Outdoor Education Center programs (~40%)
• staffing the Information Center & Bookstore and Mono Lake Committee office (~30%)
• leading interpretive education programs (~30%)

Since 1995, the Mono Lake Committee has operated the Mono Basin Outdoor Education Center (OEC), with programs that connect youth from Los Angeles to the Mono Basin—the northernmost extent of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and a source of Los Angeles’ water. OEC programs combine watershed education, experiential education, muscle-powered recreation, and stewardship projects to build understanding and appreciation for Mono Lake and its connection to the Los Angeles watershed.

In this role you will:

• Support OEC operations including:
  • Leading education programs, hikes, team-building activities, and canoe tours. Hikes may include challenging trails and terrain around Mono Lake or in the high country of the surrounding Mono/Yosemite region
  • Assisting in guiding and supervising students (along with adult chaperones provided by the groups) during each five-day program
  • Assist with OEC site set-up, clean up, kitchen help, and site maintenance
• Staff the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore and office, including:
  • communicating the Mono Lake Committee’s mission and promoting Mono Lake Committee memberships
  • completing retail sales using our point-of-sale cash and credit card register system
  • providing visitors with detailed and accurate information about the region, Mono Lake ecology, and the current status of Mono Lake protection and restoration
  • ensuring the store is neat and well stocked at all times and sanitizing the store, restroom, and outdoor picnic and reception areas.
  • Other duties include assisting with program reservations, answering phones, fulfilling information requests via phone, mail, and email, assisting with Mono Lake Committee membership projects and recruitment, event planning, social media, writing assignments, and other office and field tasks needed to support operations and mission.
• Education program support, including:
  • leading environmental education programs for school groups
  • assisting with program reservations
  • interpretive program development and preparation 
  • fulfilling information requests.

Qualifications:

• Strong leadership and communication skills, and the desire to teach natural history and environmental water issues.
• Desire to understand environmental problems from a solution-oriented perspective.
• Experience working with and/or teaching young people in an outdoor setting.
• Excellent customer service and money handling skills.
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to regularly work opening and closing shifts in the Information Center & Bookstore; these shifts may start at 7:30am or end at 8:30pm.
• Ability to lead weekend canoe tours, which begin at 6:30am.
• Desire to interpret natural history and environmental water issues for the public.
• Commitment to following the Committee’s COVID-19 protocols, which includes being vaccinated.
• Flexibility under a changing schedule.
• A personal vehicle, valid driver’s license, and good driving record are required (contact us with any questions).
• Must pass a background check to confirm you do not have any criminal violations relevant to working with youth.
• Ability to speak Spanish and a WFR certification is a plus, and canoe-paddling experience is helpful.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training on Mono Basin ecology, California water policy, environmental interpretation, retail operations, canoe safety, and more.
• First Aid and CPR certification training.
• Paid time off for observed holidays that occur during time of employment.
• Mileage is paid for all job-related travel from place of work in personal vehicle.
• Employee discount on merchandise in the Information Center & Bookstore.

Additional information:

The Education Intern Position is temporary, lasting from five to six months. The Education Intern works 40 hours per week with two consecutive days off.

Shared housing may be available through the Committee at $300/month (sorry, no pets).

We provide comprehensive training to develop a thorough understanding of the Mono Basin and the Mono Lake Committee in order to be able to fulfill job duties.

The OEC program is run out of a single-family home, called Cain Ranch, located five miles south of Lee Vining. This is where students camp, cook, and learn. While the building itself is modest, it serves as a functional and convenient launchpad for the main focus of the program—a unique watershed education experience.

The surrounding Eastern Sierra region is the outdoor classroom. Mono Lake and its surrounding 700 square miles of Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin provide endless opportunities for learning, rewarding experiences, and stewardship activities. The program operates in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and under a priority special-use permit with the Inyo National Forest.

The Mono Basin is composed of sagebrush steppe, pinyon-juniper, and Jeffrey pine forest plant communities, 46,000 acres of Mono Lake, numerous 12,000+ foot Sierra peaks, and plug-dome volcanoes. The Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore is in the town of Lee Vining (population 400, elevation 6,780′), on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park near Mono Lake. The town is located adjacent to the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, and the Ansel Adams and Hoover wilderness areas. Lee Vining is situated along Highway 395, 30 miles north of Mammoth Lakes, California and 110 miles south of Carson City, Nevada.