The Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) Urban Forestry / Maintenance Operations Division’s goal is to provide integrated maintenance, emergency response, and stewardship of the engineered and natural systems within the right-of-way, to promote a safe, vibrant and interconnected city.

We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate level intern to help conduct GIS analysis to visualize the distribution of at-risk tree species located in the right-of-way, and produce a framework for outreach processes and materials meant to educate property owners about the importance retaining these trees and stewardship of the urban forest through proper care and treatment.

This candidate will also help conduct research into what other cities have done around invasive pest/tree outreach and make recommendations for how Seattle should engage the public in the event of a new invasive pest detection.

Educational Benefit to the Student
The position will help the student understand how their coursework translates into the daily operations of a city urban forestry division, in particular, the planning and management of trees at risk for existing or upcoming invasive insect infestation and the public outreach it requires.

The intern will be given a hands-on orientation for street tree data analysis using a proprietary ArcGIS collector application and staff time will be allotted to teach the intern about the municipal code, how it dictates distribution of tree care from municipality to private tree maintenance, and how that impacts upcoming processes for an invasive pest response both internally for the department and externally to the public.

50%  GIS analysis to compile data on distribution of at-risk trees and tree ownership status

25%  Produce outreach material templates for existing invasive pests, such as bronze birch borer and dutch elm disease, for property owners

15%  Research case studies and plans in other cities, make recommendations for an outreach framework around invasive pest preparedness that will contribute to the upcoming Seattle Invasive Pest Response Plan

10%  Research case studies and plans in other cities, make recommendations for an outreach framework around invasive pest preparedness that will contribute to the upcoming Seattle Invasive Pest Response Plan

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
 
Education
Open to students, undergraduate and graduate students, who are enrolled in an accredited educational program

Preferred Areas of Study:  Forestry, Urban Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Horticulture, and/or Natural Resource Management

Undergraduate students will need to maintain a 2.0 GPA or above throughout the internship.
Graduate students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or above throughout the internship

EXPERIENCE
 
Required:

• Experience in or knowledge related to tree identification
• General knowledge of ArcGIS products
• Data management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to perform ad-hoc research using the internet
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access)
• Ability to use Excel for data analysis
• Experience with developing outreach materials to a variety of audiences

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of invasive species management and impacts
• Experience with graphic design
• Project management experience
• Familiarity with tree inventory applications
• Familiarity with Seattle’s neighborhoods will be helpful

Start/End Dates:  Late June/Early July 2021 to September 15, 2021

Schedule:  Intern will work 20 hours/weeks while school is in session.  30-40 hours/week during school breaks.  Work hours can be scheduled between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Salary:  Undergraduates will be paid $18.36/hour. Graduates will be paid $22.50/hour.

How to Apply:  complete an online application and include the following:

• Unofficial transcript including current classes and GPA
• Cover letter
• Resume

Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Note:  The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite work in Seattle when operational needs require.