THIS POSITION IS BEING OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONSERVATION TRUST FOR NORTH CAROLINA (CTNC) THROUGH THE MAX INTERNSHIP: SEEDING RACE EQUITY IN CONSERVATION.

INTERNSHIP POSITION TITLE 

Community and Watershed Conservation Intern

HOST SITE

Christmount Assembly

LOCATION

222 Fern Way, Black Mountain, NC 28711

DURATION

May 22 - July 30 2021 (10 weeks)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community & Watershed Conservation intern will support the current and developing projects unfolding through the Sustainability & Eco-Justice department with a focus on our local watershed, seeking to integrate topics of place, water and land history, indigenous land sovereignty, eco-spirituality, eco-psychology, stewardship, and a deeper, more holistic environmental ethic. Our hope is that this will give the intern a thoughtful and insightful perspective on listening to the land, and responding with programming that is attentive to many voices, including human neighbors in the Christmount neighborhood, partners in the Black Mountain and larger Asheville-area community, as well as all the non-human creatures who make their home in this particular place. Furthermore, given that so much of this programming and vision is new (including the Sustainability & Eco-Justice department itself), we imagine the intern also gaining perspective into the unique joys and challenges of building projects from the beginning within the non-profit context, using an asset-based community lens.  JOB DUTIES

Land and Water protection – 30%

• Setting up NC Stream Watch program for guests, begin completing stream assessments
• Development and sharing of river health and watershed conservation materials within the Christmount community, building on the water quality report we already distribute to neighborhood residents
• Connect with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Hemlock Restoration Initiative to develop a fuller strategic plan for Christmount’s land and water management

Community Engagement & Event Coordination – 40%

• Partner with other local organizations to support regional water events, both through planning and participation
• Organize and orchestrate several on-site outreach events for Christmount, both water-specific and also whole ecosystem-specific, including forest and gardens
• Assist in creating additional outdoor program options for all Christmount camps, be it guided night hikes, pollinator ecology classes, or farm to table cooking

Research & Writing – 30%

• In conjunction with local history groups (like Swannanoa Valley History Museum, Warren Wilson College, etc.), compile resources and documents to synthesize into written pieces that give a fuller depiction of this place’s inhabitants and care over the years. This will be used on our website to articulate more about who we are as an organization, a forest, a farm, and a watershed.
• Introductory grant-writing
• Opportunities to submit scientific writing related to water quality & health of the French Broad Watershed, as well as submitting op-eds or other pieces to local newspapers with staff support

QUALIFICATIONS

Required knowledge, skills and experience: Passion for working with waterways and in an outdoor setting, with an emphasis in stewardship and education – prior teaching experience is not required, but enthusiasm and openness for it is! We ask for a serious interest in interdisciplinary conversation and thought – this will not be just a technical lab or field science internship – it will look at deep ecology and sociology and patterns of human behavior. Furthermore, we need someone with flexibility for working in a space that is newly developing programming and curriculum, innovative and excited by new possibility.

Preferred knowledge, skills and experience: Preferred course of study or interest in biology, forest and stream ecology, water systems health, and the history of connection between people and ecosystems, basic CPR and First Aid certifications, capacity for manual tasks involving strenuous physical labor, working in a variety of weather conditions for hours at a time, experience working with plants and animals is encouraged, but not all required. We will provide all the training needed. 

Unique considerations that this position demands: Ability to hike at least 1 mile comfortably on uneven terrain, comfortable working in a variety of weather conditions outdoors. If the intern does not have a car, we could provide transport to off-site events. Lastly, it is important to clarify that while Christmount Assembly is affiliated with a Christian denomination, this internship, and the unfolding environmental programming here, are not religiously affiliated. That said, we will be interacting with groups and visitors who are coming from a specific faith background, so our hope is that an intern placed here would feel comfortable engaging with others in open-minded, respectful conversation that could span a wide spectrum of faith traditions and spaces. We are committed to this being a safe and welcoming space for all. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about this specifically! 

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Please submit your most current resume, two references – one from a supervisor or teacher figure, and one personal (though not a family member), and a writing sample.

If you have questions or require more information about this position, please don’t hesitate to contact Emma Childs at 828.669.8977 or emma@christmount.org. Learn more about Christmount Assembly, Fern Way Farm School, and our outdoor programming at www.christmount.org. 

ABOUT THE MAX INTERNSHIP

Founded in 2008 in honor of late CTNC board member, Max Mukelabai, the Max Internship provides a platform for high school graduates and college students of color – including people of Asian, Black, Latinx, multiracial, and Native American descent – to engage in and help shape conservation work. Rising leaders of color from across the state participate in paid 10-week summer internships, gaining real-world, hands-on experience. CTNC provides compensation, one-on-one mentorship, and professional networking to equip interns with a strong foundation for successful careers in conservation and beyond.

During the program, host sites learn about conservation through a lens of race and power. Through a combination of individual and group learning, host site supervisors build their capacity to facilitate discussions about race within their organizations, understand their relationships to power, and develop strategies for transforming a culture based in race equity practice. COMPENSATION

All interns will receive a $5,000 stipend, divided and paid bi-monthly over the course of their internship.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Lacey Frownfelter at lacey@ctnc.org

Please note that interviews are scheduled and conducted through the host site.