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Position Dates: 5/20/24 - 8/23/24

About us:
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.

Program Description:
The National Ecological Observatory Network is a National Science Foundation 30+ year project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. NEON uses cutting-edge technology, including an airborne observation platform that captures images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. A leading- edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store, and publish this information. The Observatory includes over 300+ personnel and is the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.

NEON is seeking two motivated SCA members to fill this field-going position. The members will work as part of a larger field crew and participate in multiple aspects of NEON's field data collection efforts. These may include small mammal trapping, insect collection, vegetation surveys, soil sampling, surface water chemistry collection and fish sampling. In addition, back at the lab, interns may gain experience with processing and tracking samples, identifying insects and plants, and data entry. The interns will be expected to safely perform field assignments in a variety of environmental conditions and follow sampling protocols under the guidance of NEON Field Ecologists. Applicants should expect to work under variable field conditions.Applicants may be expected to drive to and from field sites using company vehicles and must possess a current and valid State issued driver's license with insurable Department of Motor vehicle record.

Benefits:
$550/week living allowance
$1,100 travel allowance (personal vehicle required)
Housing will be paid for and leased by SCA, preferably in shared housing

Additional:
Candidates for the position must also pass a 10 Panel Urine Screening Test for the following substances: amphetamines; barbiturates; benzodiazepines; cocaine metabolite; methadone; opiates (including codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone); 6MAM; oxycodone; phencyclidine (PCP); propoxyphene; and marijuana metabolite (THC).