Scientists in Parks Internship

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center, based in Glacier National Park, generally hires one summer intern and one winter intern through the Scientists in Parks Internship Program. The summer position typically begins in mid-April and ends mid-October. The winter position begins in October and ends in April. See below for position details and how to apply.

Scientists in Parks Project Description–Glacier National Park

Position Title: Biology Assistant
Position Type: Guest Scientist. Guest Scientist internships are usually filled by students or recent graduates with a higher level of expertise or experience. A limited number are open to persons older than 35 years old.
Location: Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT
Start Date: Summer position: mid-April. Winter position: mid-October (Start and end dates are flexible)
Duration: 12-26 weeks
Housing: Park housing is typically provided at no cost to the participant.
Living and Travel Allowance: $400/week; $250 for travel to duty station

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND WORK PRODUCTS

Position Description: Glacier National Park’s Citizen Science Program, coordinated by the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center, engages park visitors, local community members, and students in research, science literacy, and resource stewardship among participants. The primary goal of the citizen science program is to provide reliable baseline data to resource managers about identified, priority wildlife and plant species and to aid with early detection of ecosystem changes.

We are seeking an innovative and dedicated Scientists in Parks "Guest Scientist" to bring our citizen science work up to date with current technology and to pioneer new technologies to assist us with managing the enormous volume of data generated by the program. The intern will also work to raise the bar on our data quality assurance/quality control and will develop communication products for sharing our data on mountain goats, pikas, common loons, raptors, river recreation, and huckleberries with the public and park managers.

Primary Objectives and Work Products:

• Development of Survey 123 interface and other apps for citizen science wildlife surveys.
• Incorporation of new survey planning tool into workflow for Survey 123.
• Create GIS maps and content for a Story Map, or other science communication product, to share wildlife monitoring results with the public.
• Collaborative development of monitoring protocols and data collection app for river recreation monitoring.
• Presentation to park management on results of app use.
• Inclusion of reports described above in our annual technical report which is catalogued in NPS IRMA.
• Submit project results for web content on Glacier's website, the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center website, and the NPS Citizen Science webpages.

QUALIFICATIONS

• GIS experience and experience working with apps. Experience with R, Python, SQL or similar languages for developing queries.
• Science communication and/or science education experience.
• Experience with community outreach, volunteer coordination, and/or crew leadership.
• Experience with data collection following detailed Standard Operating Procedures, and general attention to detail.
• Experience with safely operating non-motorized craft on rivers (class 2 up to class 4).
• Ability to conduct moderately strenuous field work, hike up to 12 miles a day and be comfortable in remote backcountry settings
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“green-card-holder”) between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
• Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. A driver's license is required for use of government vehicles to conduct training programs, collect field data, and attend meetings. A personal vehicle is recommended, but not required, for this location.

AMERICORPS PROGRAM AND PUBLIC LANDS CORP

AmeriCorps is a program that engages individuals in intensive community service work with the goal of “helping others and meeting critical needs in the community”. The SIP Program is supported through AmeriCorps by providing a Segal Education Award in addition to the SIP’s living stipend and travel/housing allowance.

Upon successful completion of the SIP position, the SIPs (AmeriCorps members) are eligible for a $1,638 - $6,195 pre-tax education award that can be used for paying back student loans or for continuing their education. The amount of the education award is based on the length of the position.

AmeriCorps limits the number of terms an individual can serve to 4 terms. If an applicant has previously completed 4 SIP or other AmeriCorps positions, they will not be eligible to apply for an additional SIP position.
See https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/scientists-in-parks.htm for more information on SIP Guest Scientist positions.

Public Land Corps:
The Public Land Corps (PLC) authority grants non-competitive hiring status to former PLC members between the ages of 16 to 30 who have served a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on an appropriate conservation project that included at least 120 hours through the PLC, and meet all eligibility requirements. The eligibility period is 2 years from the date of PLC project completion.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications open in early December for summer projects; deadline to apply typically falls in late January. Applications open in July for winter projects; deadline to apply typically falls in late August. Each project accepts up to 100 applicants. For more information on the Scientists in Parks Program and to apply, visit the National Park Service's Scientists in Parks webpages.

You can also email [e-mail] to request information on upcoming application deadlines or to be put on a notification mailing list for the next opportunity.