TITLE: Fisheries Technician 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: Summer 2019/ May 26 - Aug 17; 12 week position (some flexibility in start and end date)
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 FISHERIES MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is the largest expanse of wilderness east of the Mississippi River boasting over 2,900 miles of cool and cold-water streams. There are nearly 60 species of fish found in GRSM representing 12 families from prehistoric lampreys to wild brook trout, to three federally protected fish species that were extirpated but have recently been reintroduced and are being monitored in Abrams Creek. You will serve as a fisheries intern in the Fisheries Management Branch being trained and assisting in small stream monitoring efforts of trout populations using backpack electrofishing gear throughout this 526,000 acre National Park. Major training and skills acquired through this position include the use, construction, and maintenance of backpack electrofishing gear, small stream sampling guidelines, population enumeration using depletion estimates, identification of 20-40 fish species, physical and chemical stream measurements, data entry and editing techniques, and backcountry sampling and camping techniques. Interns will work with a team of federal, state, and private biologists, as well as university researchers.
Many of the fisheries management tasks at GRSM require a team of 6-8 individuals in order to complete the field tasks. Field crews consist of the permanent crew leader and 3-5 seasonal NPS fish technicians, however additional staff are needed to meet sampling demands. The SECC Fisheries Intern(s) assist NPS staff in completing assigned field tasks and data management needs throughout the field season. Fisheries interns receive the same training as seasonal fishery technicians and are tasked with similar assignments throughout the field season. The interns will benefit the national park and its local community by providing the data necessary to make management decisions, educating children and adults from neighboring communities and the general public, and helping to restore native fish species back to their native range for the benefit of present and future generations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
The interns will assist with native fish monitoring, large stream fish population monitoring and native fish restoration in NPS and USFS lands. These projects will help protect and preserve the park for generations to come. Specific responsibilities will include: monitoring fish using backpack electrofishing gear and snorkeling - 40%, physical and chemical stream measurements - 20%, fish identification – 10%, data entry and editing techniques – 10%, equipment repair, maintenance and construction – 10%, and backcountry camping and sampling techniques - 10%. An outline of the duties can be seen below.
Brook trout monitoring Indicator: Interns will assist with population estimations. These data will be compared with previous data to determine population health and trend over time. Target: Roughly 35 sites at various elevations throughout the summer.
Large stream fish population monitoring Indicator: The interns will assist with Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) surveys on 7 large stream fish communities throughout the park. The surveys will be conducted with the assistance of partner agencies such as TVA, TN Department of Environment and Conservation and Trout Unlimited. Target: Seven large stream fish communities.
Native fish restoration Indicator: The interns will be part of a team collecting native Southern Appalachian brook trout to reintroduce into a newly restored stream section. The intern will also assist with the collection of Greenside Darters to translocate into Abrams Creek as part of a native fish restoration project on that stream. Target: Roughly 200-300 Brook Trout and 50-100 Greenside Darters will be collected and translocated.
Trainings may include: use, repair and maintenance of backpack electrofishing gear, stream snorkeling techniques, fish identification, and remote backcountry field operations.
COMPENSATION: Interns are paid an 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:
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in gaining experience in the natural resources field in order to improve their base of experience towards their career goal. Candidates with fisheries, aquatic ecology or zoology related course work are preferred but not required. Candidates must be able to regularly carry backpacks weighing 30-50 pounds for 3-6 miles over difficult terrain as part of this position.
Applicant should be self-motivated, highly organized, and able to follow detailed protocols. Preferred knowledge, coursework, and skills in fisheries, aquatic ecology or zoology. 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. 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 are required to preform a criminal history check, offers of employment are contingent upon results.
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: Follow the SECC link and complete the Fisheries internship application. 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:
Caleb Abramson
865-436-1254
caleb_abramson@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
Job Location Gatlinburg, TN United States Position Type Full-Time/Regular
Required Skills Required Experience
We are an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic. Reasonable accommodations may include but are not limited to that which may enable individuals with disabilities and special disabled veterans to perform the essential functions of this position.