Interns collecting vegetation data and assessing the quality of the seed prior to seed collecting.
National Park Service
Update:Application window closed for the season. If you are still looking to get involved, please check out the Native Plant Program Volunteer page.
Learn about native plant restoration and ecology while gaining valuable hands-on field experience by joining the native plant nursery team at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area!
Schedule: 3 days a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) from 7am – 3:30pm. Internships begin on May 2, 2024 and June 27, 2024 and may continue for 18-26 weeks.
Stipend: This internship provides a stipend. Stipend amount varies depending on the length of the internship ($4,320 - $6,240).
About the Internship
This internship is designed to allow participants to explore a variety of aspects within Southern California native plant restoration. Interns will gain experience working in a variety of plant communities including southern oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, riparian woodland, chaparral, and more. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of restoration duties. Below are some examples:
Seed Bank Program- species population scouting, seed collecting, cleaning, and storage.
Herbarium Operations- plant ID, plant families of Southern California and taxonomy training, specimen and voucher collection, mounting and labeling herbarium specimens.
GPS/GIS- utilizing GPS units and iPads for navigation and collection of spatial data.
Nursery Operations - plant propagation (seed germination, cuttings, divisions, etc.), plant production of local species.
Vegetation Monitoring- collect vegetation data in a variety of plant communities across the mountains.
Public Service – work with public volunteers, partners, school groups, and more to carry out restoration duties on public lands.
Habitat Restoration - interns may occasionally work with our restoration crew helping with site maintenance and plant installation
Participants will check in at the native plant nursery located in Newbury Park at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa. Work locations (Government vehicle provided) will vary on a weekly basis, and may include historic Paramount Ranch, Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyon, Rancho Sierra Vista, Solstice and Zuma Canyon, and many more areas within Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area!
Requirements
The position is open to US citizens, permanent residents, or people with valid work permits, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or other type of Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Those without valid work permits may still qualify to join as volunteer (unpaid) interns. For more information regarding eligibility for internship and/or volunteering, contact Joseph_Algiers@nps.gov.
Interest in native plants and ecological restoration duties.
Commitment to a schedule 3 days a week (Thurs - Sat).
Attendance on the first day of the internship (see start dates above) is mandatory to receive safety and orientation training.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Attention to detail.
Must provide own transportation to the work site at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record are required to drive a government vehicle. Applicants without a driver’s license will still be considered for the internship. If accepted, lack of driver’s license may limit the areas visited throughout the park.
Work Site and Conditions
Most work will take place outdoors (nursery, hiking, restoration sites)
Main work site is located at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park, California
Bending, lifting, and moving heavy objects may be required
Weather can be hot, humid, cold, or rainy
Housing is not available
Interns will be provided with a volunteer cap and work shirts
How to Apply
Submit the following documents via email to Joseph_Algiers@nps.gov
Letter of intent (include how the position will benefit your career, your availability, your understanding that this internship is unpaid except for the stipend, and that you have a method of transportation to and from work)
Resume
Three references
Application window closed for the season. Still interested in getting involved? Check out the Native Plant Program Volunteer page.
For additional questions, contact Joseph_Algiers@nps.gov.
