January 26, 2023

Stream

Sageland Collaborative

Summer Stream Ecology Internship

Overall Description: 

Sageland Collaborative serves as a leading source of conservation science in Utah and surrounding regions. Our mission is to provide science-based strategies for wildlife and wildlands. We focus on promoting habitat connectivity, protecting species in conservation need, and restoring vital habitat. We work toward these goals by applying objective conservation science, establishing strategic partnerships, and facilitating community engagement. The staff of Sageland Collaborative consists of dedicated and skilled scientists, project managers, and communication specialists focused on advancing our mission. With an active board of directors and a growing base of hundreds of supporters and volunteers, Sageland Collaborative is poised to significantly increase its impact and reach in the coming years to benefit wildlife and lands throughout the West. 

We are seeking to hire a summer stream ecology intern with our Riverscape Restoration Program. This program’s goals are to dually implement low-tech process-based restoration projects and study the ecological and hydrologic outcomes of these practices. Restoration sites are located across Utah on the ancestral lands of the Ute, Goshute, and Shoshone Peoples. The Intern will be responsible for assisting in ecological data collection assessing stream condition. The Intern may also provide support with volunteer events, data entry, data analysis, literature reviews, document production, and mapping. 

This position will involve extensive off trail hiking, long field days, and driving to sites. Candidates will need to commute to the Salt Lake City, Utah area regularly. A social distancing protocol will be utilized to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection/spread. 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Junior or senior majoring in biology, ecology, and/or other natural resource program at Utah State University 
  • Valid driver’s license, clean driving record and the ability to complete Utah State University’s defensive driving training prior to the start of employment 
  • This position is based out of the Sageland Collaborative office in Salt Lake City, Utah. Field sampling will require travel to sites in the Northern, Central, and southern regions of Utah. 
  • Opportunities for remote computer-based work will be assessed and adjusted based on regional COVID-19 trends. 
  • Applicants must be able to commute daily to this office or research sites. Use of vehicle for field work (travel to field sites) will be reimbursed by Sageland Collaborative at 0.68/mile.   

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Willingness to work in backcountry settings and deal with terrain challenges such as off trail hiking, crossing swift creeks, wading through beaver ponds, and maneuvering around wood jams 
  • Willingness to work outdoors in variable conditions (cold, heat, snow rain, mosquitoes, flies, etc.)   
  • Willingness to camp outdoors overnight for multiple days (up to 2 to 3 nights a month) 
  • Willingness to engage in discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion 
  • Reliability, timeliness, and dedication to work tasks 
  • Ability to work and collaborate with a team 
  • Ability to problem solve on-the-fly 

What you will practice and learn: 

  • How to gather ecological data in the field 
     Identification of plants, birds, fish, amphibians, and insects of the Intermountain West 
  • How to design and implement low-tech process-based restoration projects. 
  • Microsoft Word and Excel 
  • Schedule: This will be a full-time position from late May through mid-August. The start and end dates are flexible to accommodate the Intern’s academic calendar. 

Salary:

Pay for this position $15/hour, or up to $7,200 for 12 weeks of full time work. The Intern will be paid through the USU Quinney College of Natural Resources. Sageland Collaborative will cover all travel expenses to field sites (through reimbursement for mileage in Intern’s own vehicle) and meals while Intern is away in the field. 

Apply to the QCNR summer internship program here 

Application Deadline: February 15   

Course Credits for your academic institution are possible. Sageland Collaborative can accommodate the applicant and Utah State University on a case-by-case basis. 

ACA Variable Position 

Work Authorization is Required