Vegetation Management Intern

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Make an Impact at Rock Creek Park! The Vegetation Management Intern will assist the Rock Creek Park (ROCR) Resources Management team on vegetation management related tasks. The intern will assist with the surveying of vegetation plots throughout the park and with proofreading and submission of all data collected for proper scientific analysis.

The intern will work closely with the park’s botanist and other staff on vegetation inventory, also assisting with management of the park’s volunteer Weed Warriors through leading volunteers on management of invasive plants.

The position will require work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, humidity, rain) with environmental hazards that include steep and rough terrain, stinging insects, and poisonous plants.

Shifts are 8-hours in length from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, 3 days a week. Days may change week to week, and may require some weekends to be worked. This position is 6-8 weeks from July 8th to August 30th (listed start/end dates are flexible up to a week on each end). Please note this is an unpaid, volunteer position.

The deadline to apply for this opportunity is 6/30/2024.

Duties:

• Intern will assist park staff on data gathering on vegetation study areas throughout the park.
• Intern will proofread and complete entry of data gathered within the vegetation study areas.
• Intern will assist park staff on preparation and delivery of multiple invasive plant removal volunteer events by preparing tools, guiding volunteers on best methodologies of removal, data gathering, and event close outs.
• Intern will maintain strong communication with park volunteers and weed warrior volunteers.
• Intern will successfully learn to identify 95% of non-native invasive plant species located within Rock Creek Park.
• Intern will successfully learn to identify at least 50% of native trees and shrubs growing within Rock Creek Park.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of natural sciences, specifically botany and ecology. Current college students preferred.
• Academic Experience in data collection and input into digital systems.
• General understanding of Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work well with others and collaborate on ideas.
• Comfortable learning and facilitating with technology.
• Able to always maintain a professional demeanor
• Willing to work outdoors
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Able to lift 20 lbs.
• Background check is required.

Volunteers should possess the following qualities:

• Interest in nature, history, and planetary science.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible working style and ability to adapt to different engagement styles.
• Willingness to learn, share information to visitors, and present nature and science programs.
• Ability to react quickly and solve problems or recognize when to contact a staff person.
• Teaching experience preferred but not required.
• Intern must posses their own computer for data input.

Start Date - 2024-07-08

End Date - 2024-08-30

Activities include: Natural Resources Planning;Weed/Invasive Species Control