Description:
Schedule: Flexible 10-40 hrs/week depending on availability; typically Monday-Friday; flexible end date depending on hours worked; not to exceed the maximum timeframe for positions set by SUU and the IIC.
Housing: No Housing Available
Dates: 07-07-2025 - 10-31-2025
Agency: USDA Forest Service - RMRS
Location: Cedar City, UT
Overview:
Landscape-scale disturbances are increasing in size and frequency across public lands, and within drylands specifically. Ecosystem recovery from disturbance and degradation often involves restoration efforts that facilitate the return of native species to the landscape (e.g. seeding, seedling planting), where the selection of species, or the origin of seed sources, may be critical to restoration success. Our research supports resource management decisions with the aim of reducing fire risk and increasing native plant community resilience to fire and resistance to invasive species, while also restoring/maintaining healthy native plant communities and the valuable ecosystem services (e.g. wildlife corridors, soil stabilization) that they provide.
Responsibilities:
The intern would be performing science-support tasks for a variety of projects. The student would work both independently, with appropriate mentoring, or with one or more other technicians. Tasks would include lab work, greenhouse work, and fieldwork. Interns will be trained in several monitoring techniques, field navigation, and the use of field and lab-based scientific tools (e.g. tablets with Survey123, GPS devices, precision scale). Duties could include: collecting plant samples, establishing and monitoring greenhouse plants, data entry and data quality tasks, tabulation of results and creating charts according to instructions, establishing field plots, taxonomic identification of plants, producing maps and other GIS outputs, and weighing, measuring, and processing of plant samples.
We are looking for a candidate with:
- Ability to work as a contributing member of a team and to communicate regarding safety or personal needs and concerns.
- Ability to hike at least 3 miles and kneel or sit on the ground for long periods.
- Ability to travel long distances in vehicles and potentially camp at remote field locations.
- Ability to work under a variety of temperature conditions in the field. We appreciate a candidate that is flexible to changing conditions and that is willing to challenge themselves.
- We support constructive team dynamics and are looking for a candidate with a positive attitude who will ask questions as needed to clarify tasks and who is excited to learn a variety of new skills.
Qualifications:
Candidates with research experience and those pursuing a relevant major (e.g. biology, natural resources) are encouraged to apply. We seek a detail-oriented person with the ability to follow instructions and work independently, and who is comfortable occasionally working in remote field locations. Candidates should have a basic familiarity with field equipment (e.g. tablet, GPS) and plant biology/habitat knowledge, an aptitude with Microsoft products (e.g. Word, Excel), and good communication/interpersonal skills. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be a U.S. Citizen. A security background check may be required upon selection.
Special Instructions:
Application procedure: Please email your resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to Sarah Barga (sarah.barga@usda.gov) and mention “IIC Internship” in the subject line.