Job Opening: Post-Fire Restoration Intern
Job Summary: JW Associates (JWA) and Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) are looking for a summer intern. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in forestry, hydrology, ecology, soil science or a similar field. Applicants with GIS experience and previous experience with field work are particularly important. This position will support a collaborative team working to mitigate post-fire hazards from the Cameron Peak Fire in the Cache la Poudre River Watershed. This position will require extensive field work which could include tasks such as field verification of aerial mulch application locations, field verification of modeling results and aerial imagery, and in-field identification of appropriate post-fire mitigation strategies and locations. Other duties may include assisting with forest restoration and wildfire mitigation projects, including pre- and post-treatment data collection, and connecting with local landowners to develop collaborative wildfire mitigation projects.
This position will require travel to the field survey locations and significant physical effort, sometimes hiking long distances in a day. Candidates who have a personal vehicle to use should indicate that on their application however this is not a requirement. The work schedule would likely be four 10-hour workdays each week but could be flexible depending on the field schedule and applicant schedule. There is potential for some weekend work. Start date is late May or early June. A commitment to work through mid-August is preferred but the expected end date is flexible, with possible extension into the Fall.
Compensation: $18-23/hour, depending on experience and education.
Commitment: 30-40 hours per week, depending on availability and field work schedule.
Position reports to JW Associates and the Executive Director at CPRW.
Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
Required
• Experience and/or physical ability to do field work in difficult conditions, for long hours. Ability to hike miles in rugged terrain. Work may occur during inclement weather conditions, including flooding rain, snow, excessive heat, and lightning storms. Self-sufficiency and solid decision-making are important for personal and crew safety.
• Working towards a degree in forestry, hydrology, ecology, soil science or similar field. Minimum junior or senior with some upper-level classes.
• Attention to detail, consistency, reliability, and excellent communication skills.
• Field navigation skills with GPS and map/compass are necessary. Experience with two-way radios is beneficial.
• A positive attitude and flexibility in rapidly changing conditions.
• Intern will interact with landowners, contractors, equipment operators, US Forest Service personnel, academic researchers, and the public. Demonstrated ability to work well with a diverse range of people and stakeholders is necessary.
Desired
• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, hydrology, ecology, soil science or a similar field.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar GIS software, as well as experience with GPS field data collection, exporting field data to workstation software, and proficiency with field map production.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle that can drive up the Poudre Canyon is desirable, but not required. Mileage will be compensated at the 2022 federal rate which is set at $0.585/mile.
Preferred
• Master’s degree achieved or in progress.
• Familiarity with forest management data collection tools and techniques (wedge prism, diameter tape, clinometer, variable radius plots, basic statistics).
The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed is an Equal Opportunity Employer and no otherwise qualified individual shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion or religious affiliation, sex, familial status, age, genetics, disability, or national origin in any phase of employment for this position.
To Apply: Please submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and minimum of 2 References (Name, Phone, Email, Position, Working Relationship) as one PDF, 5 pages maximum, to bpiehl@jw-associates.org and hallys@poudrewatershed.org before March 7, 2022 at 9am MST. No phone calls please. Applicants will be notified the week of March 14 to schedule an interview.