The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accepting applications for several 2007 Conservation Internships.

The application deadline is March 30. The following is a list of available positions:

Aquatic Science Technician Intern (2 paid positions, plus housing) (May - October, 2007) Seeking interns for summer field sampling of fish and freshwater mussels in the Allegheny and French Creek watersheds. Qualified individuals should possess or be working toward a bachelor’s degree, with experience working with macro invertebrates, fish and/or freshwater mussels preferred. SCUBA certification is strongly desired. GPS & GIS experience helpful, but not required. Must be able to swim; be willing to work on various water vessels; spend long hours out-of-doors; and travel to different field sites with overnight stays. Positions are based at the Northwest Field Station, located at Lake Pleasant in Erie County. Housing is available and will pay an hourly wage.

Botany Intern (1 paid position) (May 2007 – September 2007, with possibility of extension) Intern will provide assistance to the botanist in conducting field surveys for rare plants and natural communities in western Pennsylvania. May also assist with data collection for a plot-based monitoring study of Delphinium exaltatum (pending funding). Applicants should have (or be working towards) a bachelor’s degree in botany or a closely related field, a basic understanding of statistical analysis methods, and a working knowledge of the flora of the region. Experience with GIS and GPS is greatly beneficial. Applicants must be prepared to spend several consecutive days away from home and to work in the field under rugged conditions. Position is based in Pittsburgh, PA and will pay an hourly wage.

Conservation Data Assistant Intern (1 paid position) (June 2007 – August 2007) The primary responsibilities for this internship will be to process information and enter data into database, map, and manual files and to provide information to users as appropriate and in formats that are well organized and accessible. Qualifications include education or experience in biology, conservation or a related field of study, the ability to comprehend and summarize basic scientific or biological information, basic familiarity with Windows operating systems and the operation of basic personal computer software programs. Familiarity GIS and positioning tools such as GPS and topographic maps and database software desirable. Position may include limited fieldwork. Position is based in Pittsburgh, PA and will pay an hourly wage.

Land Stewardship Intern (1 paid position, plus housing) (May 2007 - September 2007) Intern will assist in implementing the Bear Run management plan, including invasive plant species surveys and removal, trail and campsite construction and maintenance, and deer density surveys. Applicants should have (or be working towards) a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or a related field of study and have trail maintenance experience (experience using chainsaws, weed-wackers etc. preferred). Familiarity of the flora of the region, invasive species and experience with GIS and GPS is greatly beneficial. Position is based at the Bear Run Nature Reserve in Mill Run, PA. Housing is available and will pay an hourly wage.

Vegetation Ecology Intern (2 paid positions) (May 2007- October 2007) Will assist in conducting research related to the conservation of the native flora of Pennsylvania. Includes documentation of the flora and plant communities of Pennsylvania with emphasis on rare elements, non-native invasive species, and plant community classification. Responsibilities include transporting and setting up field equipment, making specimen collections, recording ecological data, documenting populations of rare plants and natural communities, compiling collected data, data entry and analysis, research and record processing, GIS mapping, and correspondence. Applicants should have (or be working towards) a bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, or a closely related field, a basic understanding of statistical analysis methods, and a working knowledge of the flora of the region. Experience with GIS and GPS is greatly beneficial. Applicants must be prepared to spend several consecutive days away from home and to work in the field under rugged conditions. Good communication skills and ability to work independently are a must. Position is based in Pittsburgh, PA and will pay an hourly wage.

To apply, send resume and letter of interest, including availability dates to: Nancy Bassett, SPHR, Senior Director Human Resources, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Box R, Mill Run, PA 15464 or send email to: nbassett@paconserve.org.

Ducks Unlimited Conservation Internship: The conservation intern position will be located in Annapolis, MD area, a field office of DU’s Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office. This position will work closely with staff responsible for habitat delivery in the 6 Mid-Atlantic states, as well as assist in outreach, landowner education, research opportunities, and partnership development. (Click here for more information.)

Internships with the Department of Environmental Protection. The deadline for applying for summer internships with DEP is March 1. Engineering, Scientific and Technical Internships are available to students who are currently enrolled full-time in a bachelor or advanced degree program, have completed their Freshman year, are in good academic standing, and are a Pennsylvania resident or attending a Pennsylvania college or university. Most majors sought include Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, Earth Science, Geology, Biology, Environmental/Natural Science and Information Technology. Internships are available statewide. (Click here for more information.)

2/23/2007