Internship - Oregon Caves National Monument Natural Resources
Position Summary
This interdisciplinary natural resource management internship will engage participants in a variety of geologic, hydrologic, and biologic monitoring and inventory projects within the unique mountain forest environment of Oregon Caves National Monument. Participants will assist with data collection, analysis, and mapping, while also collaborating on report writing, database management, and natural resource monitoring. Deliverables include contributions to fieldwork, inventory projects, and mapping, as well as the completion of an independent research project. The position requires a mix of office work and physically demanding fieldwork in rugged terrain, offering hands-on experience in natural resource management. Additionally, the intern may oversee Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members and collaborate closely with NPS staff specializing in natural and cultural restoration. This role involves guiding YCC members through a comprehensive mentor program facilitating hands-on learning experiences and overseeing members engagement in tasks related to resource management.
Schedule
April 20, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The internship's deliverables encompass a range of measurable work objectives focused on natural and cultural restoration. Primarily, the intern will be responsible for the oversight and progress of tasks assigned to them from the list of monitoring and inventory projects. Some of these responsibilities include but are not limited to: parkwide inventory and monitoring activities such as collection of geologic, biologic, and hydrologic data. The intern will also be responsible field data collection and subsequent processing, compiling, and error-correcting the data. Data processing may include bat and owl acoustic processing, pollinator habitat models, GPS/GIS data processing, or R. Database management and report writing will also be part of the internship. Restoration projects include invasive weed identification and removal, trail maintenance, and removal of algae from the cave walls. Finally, the intern will contribute to the updating of Standard Operating Procedures, Job Hazard Analysis, and other safety materials, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their role in natural resource management.
Marginal Duties
The member may be responsible for part- or full-time responsibility leading Youth Conservation Corps members in natural and cultural restoration. The member will be responsible for the progress of tasks assigned to YCC members which may include, lint removal from cave speleothems, algae removal from cave walls, trail maintenance, and invasive weed identification and removal.
Required Qualifications
Ideally, this position is suited for a college graduate in the sciences with coursework in GIS. Other levels of education will be considered. A vehicle will be needed. Qualifications include the ability to work with a team, lead projects independently, collaborate to solve problems, collect data following protocols, analyze and translate scientific information, work in a rugged field setting / sedentary office setting, spend long periods of time outside, hike in steep uneven terrain, and use Microsoft software products.
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience caving or experience handling bats is desirable but not absolutely necessary. Experience with habitat modeling, R-Analysis, GIS analysis, Kaleidoscope or Sonobat processing software is also a plus!
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing will be in a private room in a shared house, or dorm. Park housing supplies full kitchen appliances, furnished living room, dishes, bathroom/shower, laundry, wifi (may be limited), food storage, closet, chest of drawers, and twin bed/mattress. Park housing is located near the cave area in the majestic northwest forest. The intern will need to bring clothing, personal items, outdoor gear, bedding, and food.
Compensation
Living allowance - $615/week paid bi weekly
RT Travel Allowance - $1,100 paid once
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Required
Additional Benefits
Defensive Drive Training
First Aid/CPR
AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional
Equal Opportunity Statement
SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.