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RN PRN Float Pool - Night

Conservation Legacy

RN PRN Float Pool - Night

Gatlinburg, TN
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

     

    TITLE: Vegetation Management Intern

    LOCATIONS: Gatlinburg, TN                

    STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt

    STIPEND: $150/week – paid out biweekly  

    HEALTH BENEFITS: Not Health Benefit Eligible

    OTHER BENEFITS: Housing in the park, uniform shirts, protective equipment, trainings. Other development opportunities as available. 

    START/END DATE:  6/1/20 - 8/20/20  (some flexibility) 

     

     

    SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS: SECC EMPOWERING YOUNG ADULTS TO CULTIVATE COMPASSION, RESPONSIBILITY, AND GRIT THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE, HARD WORK, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

     Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), empowers young people to attain compassion, responsibility and grit through community service, hard work and environmental stewardship. SECC is a local, non-profit, AmeriCorps affiliated organization based out of Chattanooga, TN. SECC selects young adults to complete conservation work projects on public, private and municipal lands throughout the Southeast. SECC fosters the personal development of corpsmembers through environmental stewardship projects and experiential learning. Through community partnerships, SECC provides hands-on job training opportunities to young adults while simultaneously meeting natural resource needs throughout the Southeast. 

      SECC positions focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility and career development. SECC also provides an opportunity for interns to learn about the local environment, environmental issues and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.      

     

    OVERVIEW OF VEGETATION MONITORING INTERNSHIP: The primary mission of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Resource Management and Science Division (Inventory & Monitoring Branch) is to protect and conserve natural resources throughout the park for both current and future generations. Protection and conservation are accomplished primarily through day-to-day resource management and science activities that include inventory, monitoring, restoration, data management, and data dissemination. Ultimately these activities inform park policy, the public, and the park management team as to the status and trends of natural resources within the park so that sound stewardship and management decisions can be made.

     

    DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

    Control invasive exotic plants involves mechanical (pulling) or chemical control of up to 50 species of invasive plants, mapping sites with global positioning system (GPS) receivers and developing treatment plans. Training is provided for safe pesticide use as well as plant identification and use of GPS, though basic botanical skills are helpful. Exotic plant control involves about 30%-40% of scheduled time.

     Several forest insect pests impact park forests. Hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect from Asia, has been in the park since 2000 and has caused landscape level mortality in the eastern hemlock forests. The Park has old growth hemlock (some exceeding 500 years old) and mixed hemlock forest types, some of which are globally rare. We treat high value hemlocks with chemicals and biocontrol predator beetles to keep hemlocks alive, conduct monitoring and scout for new treatment areas. The park is also infested with balsam woolly adelgid (BWA), a European insect that has killed many of the park's mature high elevation Fraser fir trees. BWA populations are monitored on four mountain tops. Emerald ash borer, (EAB) is a non- native wood boring beetle that has been killing white and green ash trees. We treat ash in high visitor use areas for public safety and in backcountry locations for genetic preservation. Forest insect and disease work involves about 50% of work time.

    Various projects including replanting areas impacted by construction, maintaining grassy balds with brush cutters to suppress woody species and maintaining native meadow seed plantings for restoration use. Restoration work involves about 10% of work time.

    TRAININGS MAY INCLUDE:  GPS use, Proper PPE use, Chemical Hazards Communications - Right to know info about herbicide, Backcountry safety and emergency procedures, Herbicide application and treatment methods, First aid/CPR, Bear Awareness, Tool Use, safety, and Maintenance - brush cutters, mowers, hand tools, basic power tools, Herbicide sprayers

     

    SKILLS REQUIRED:

    -Ability to hike/backpack in mountainous terrain in hot or cold humid conditions; may require overnight backcountry stays and off trail navigation

    • Ability to work cooperatively and safely as a group member and learn new skills. Note: Exposure to poison ivy and biting/stinging insects is likely so those highly allergic should carefully consider this issue.

     

    -Must be able to use pesticides in safe manner following required handling, application and disposal instructions, including wearing of personal protective equipment.

    -Ability to learn safe of use cutting tools (manual or powered).

    -Agency provided uniform is required to be identifiable to the visiting public and act as a representative of the National Park Service while serving as an intern.

     

    SKILLS DESIRED:

    -Academic background in biology, agriculture, forestry, recreation and resource management among other disciplines

    -Plant and/or invertebrate identification skills beneficial.

     

    COMPENSATION: Intern is paid a living stipend of $150 per week (direct deposited biweekly) before taxes, via direct deposit. Dorm housing within the park is also provided to interns. Upon successful completion of their term, interns will receive a Segal AmeriCorps education award for tuition at Title IV accredited learning institutions, AmeriCorps approved non-traditional continued education or paying off student loans.   

    PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR: Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service.  Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff. Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.     SAFETY AND JUDGMENT: Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others. Respond appropriately to stress or crises. If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.    

    ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques    

    OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FITNESS (WHERE APPROPRIATE): Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.  

    SUBSTANCE FREE: In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.  

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequently required to hike over rough terrain, walk, sit, talk and listen. Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. Often lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus. Frequently required to drive an SECC vehicle, and must be able to speak, understand, write and read English. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to preform essential functions.  

    QUALIFICATIONS: Academic background in biological sciences. Applicant should be self-motivated, highly organized, and able to follow detailed protocols. Preferred knowledge and skills in ecology/botany/forestry, plant identification and the use of technical plant keys, vegetation sampling methods, map reading and orienteering, and GPS. Must be able to hike in mountainous terrain in hot humid or inclement weather conditions, carrying a backpack and other field equipment. Experience with river waders a plus. Good fitting hiking boots and rain-gear are important items to have prior to arrival. Stinging insects, poison ivy, slippery footing, ticks, and venomous snakes are known field hazards. Intern will be a part of a team that operates safely and communicates effectively.    

    ADDITIONAL NOTES: All applicants must pass a criminal background and motor vehicle background check prior to hiring.

     

    THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, AGE, SEX, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR RELIGION.

    TO APPLY: Click the below Apply Now button, create a new application or edit an existing one (if you have applied to a Conservation Legacy program position in the past). INCLUDE: 3 references, resume and copy of your transcripts.   

     

    INCLUDE: 3 REFERENCES, RESUME AND COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS (UNOFFICIAL OKAY). You can put the references in a word doc and up load it  along side your resume. A cover letter is encouraged but not required.

     

     

    If you have questions about the position contact: 

    Glenn Taylor

    Glenn_Taylor@nps.gov

       

    If you have questions about the application process contact:  Chattanooga, TN office Matt Cottam Individual Placements Coordinator (423) 876-9378 mcottam@conservationlegacy.org 

    Required Skills Required Experience

  • Qualifications
    • BS in Optics/Physics/Engineering

    • Subject Matter Expert in requirements generation and integrating HELs onto platforms

    • Experience in developing acquisition and test plans to integrate and test HELs on mobile platforms

    • Active Top Secret clearance

  • Industry
    Other