2010 Internship Opportunities

Applications for the summer of 2010 will be accepted between December 18, 2009 and February 15, 2010. Please check back on December 7th for the final list of 2010 Internship Opportunities and the new application form.

2009 Internship Opportunities

To follow is a list of the 2009 host organizations and associated job descriptions. Please note: Placements will change for 2010. Please check back on December 7, 2009 for the new list.

Alaska Coal Working Group
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Alaska Center for the Environment
Alaska Marine Conservation Council
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action
Center for Alaska Coastal Studies
Cook Inletkeeper
Discovery Southeast
Great Land Trust
Juneau Watershed Partnership
Northern Alaska Environmental Center
Sitka Conservation Society
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council
Taiya Inlet Watershed Council
Takshanuk Watershed Council
Yakutat Salmon Board
Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council

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Host Organization: Alaska Coal Working Group

Title: Alaska Coal Research & Outreach Specialist

Location: Palmer, Alaska

Description of Organization: The Alaska Coal Working Group (ACWG) is a coalition of nonprofits and tribal entities that is dedicated to a clean energy future for the health of Alaska’s people, communities, and environment. The ACWG provides research, education, organizing, and advocacy tools to nonprofits and tribes working toward a more responsible energy future.

Assignment: Alaska possesses roughly half the nation’s coal reserves, and as energy prices skyrocket, Outside investors and local utilities are increasingly eyeing coal for Alaska’s energy future. In a state feeling the disproportionate effects of rapid climate change, however, coal is the worst choice for Alaska, and from greenhouse gas emissions and mercury contamination in fish, to habitat destruction and asthma in our kids, there’s nothing clean about coal. Furthermore, coal development will preclude investments in Alaska’s world-class renewable power supplies, including wind, tidal, and geothermal resources. The Alaska Coal Research & Outreach Specialist will support the work of the Alaska Coal Working Group and its coalition members to educate the public and key decisionmakers to ensure Alaska pursues a clean and sustainable energy future in the Last Frontier.

Duties include:

Research and write reports on the human health, socioeconomic, and environmental implications of coal use and development in Alaska;
Review and comment on proposed state and federal legislation, with recommendations to move proposed energy policies from coal to renewables;
Create engaging public outreach materials to educate Alaskans about the true costs of coal;
Support Alaska Coal Working Group with meetings, planning, and work plan implementation;
Attend energy and coal-related seminars, workshops, and meetings to understand and communicate the complexities of coal extraction and combustion in Alaska and elsewhere.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Strong research skills, with ability to work unassisted on complex tasks;
Strong written and verbal skills, with ability to communicate complex information to lay audience;
Understanding of state/federal legal and policy construct, including roles of agencies, courts, and legislatures;
Ability to work with diverse partners to develop attractive and engaging outreach materials for public consumption; and
Graduate student preferred, with focus on energy issues desired.

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date in May or June 2009.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Alaska Community Action on Toxics

Title: Environmental Health Researcher and Advocate

Location: Anchorage, AK (with possibility of travel to remote communities)

Description of Organization: ACAT is a statewide environmental health and justice organization founded in 1997 in response to requests from individuals, tribes, and other communities seeking technical assistance because of concerns related to toxic contaminants. ACAT works collaboratively to facilitate environmental justice by holding corporations, the military, and governments accountable for their environmental practices. ACAT helps communities implement effective strategies to limit their exposure to toxic substances and to protect and restore the ecosystems that sustain them and their ways of life. ACAT’s mission is to assure justice by advocating for environmental and community health. We believe everyone has the right to clean air, clean water, and toxic-free food.

Website: www.akaction.org

Assignment: ACAT presents an opportunity to work with a diverse and highly skilled staff, scientists, and health professionals in addressing environmental health and justice issues in Alaska. The intern will conduct research, synthesize information, and prepare a report about the ecological effects and human health implications of contaminants in the Arctic, particularly in light of the rapid changes associated with global warming. S/he will assist with planning and implementation of a community-based research field sampling institute to be held in Nome, Alaska. The intern will participate with staff and other scientists in conducting field research in northwest Alaska about the environmental and health effects of pesticides/contaminants as part of a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) project. S/he will also work with staff at community outreach events, assist with the organic gardening and Anchorage Farmers Market projects (raising and selling organic vegetable starts and compost tea).

Duties include:

Field sampling in remote areas of northwest Alaska as part of a community-based participatory research project
Organizing a college-credited field research institute in Nome, Alaska
Scientific literature review, research, writing of a report and/or environmental health bulletin
Analysis of field data
Organizing community/ public educational events
Maintaining organic community garden and Anchorage Farmers Market project

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Strong science background and experience with public and/or environmental health and justice issues
Graduate student preferred (with focus in environmental or public health) or advanced undergraduate
Coursework in environmental health, justice, and biological sciences desirable
Excellent research, writing and verbal skills to communicate effectively with the public
Interest in working with people of diverse cultures
Interest and experience in conducting field sampling, scientific investigations, and/or environmental health research
Excellent computer skills and preferably with experience in data base management and data analysis

Duration: Twelve weeks, beginning in May or early June and ending in August or early September, depending on school schedule

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Alaska Center for the Environment

Title: Climate Change Intern

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Description of Organization: Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE) works to enhance Alaskans’ quality of life by protecting wild places, fostering sustainable communities, and promoting recreational opportunities. Founded in 1971, ACE works to influence public policy through public education and grassroots mobilization. ACE is supported by 7,000 members and has 12 year-round staff. ACE is a campaign-oriented organization whose programs tackle climate change, energy development and use, public land and marine conservation, and urban sustainability. Alaska Center for the Environment offers a dynamic, team-oriented work environment.

Website: www.akcenter.org

Assignment: The Climate Change Intern will work with ACE’s conservation program staff and communications staff as part of ACE’s efforts to address the impacts of climate change upon Alaskans. In 2008, the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission, a body created by the Alaska legislature, put forth a comprehensive report regarding potential impacts of climate change to the citizens, resources, economy, and assets of the State of Alaska. The legislature is now engaging in a slow process to determine and implement the findings of the report.

ACE’s Climate Change Intern will help fine tune and implement ACE’s strategic actions in response to the outcomes of the state plan and also move forward national, statewide, and local climate legislation. This will involve mobilizing ACE members, collaborating with local groups, coordinating with national campaigns such as 350 and/or 1 Sky, etc, researching the Alaska Climate Impact Commission report, federal legislation, and other relevant data, and helping to determine effective strategies for Alaskans to positively mitigate climate change.

Duties include:

Researching climate change impacts based upon the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission report and other relevant information
Analyzing and assessing outcomes based upon relevant data
Formulating a climate change plan of action
Mobilizing community interest through grassroots organizing
Updating website information and assisting with content management
Public speaking

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Writing competency
Computer and website experience
Organized and dependable
Ability to work as part of a team

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date between May 1 and June 15.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Alaska Marine Conservation Council

Title: Conservation Intern

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Description of Organization: The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) is a community-based organization of people working to protect the health and diversity of Alaska’s marine ecosystem. Our members are fishermen, subsistence harvesters, marine scientists, conservationists, small business owners, and families. AMCC is working to protect and restore our marine environment through sustainable fishing practices, habitat protection, and local stewardship. AMCC’s goals are to introduce an intern to locally focused advocacy for the marine environment and the importance of rural coastal communities to ocean stewardship as well as to benefit from the skills and work performed by the intern.

Website: www.akmarine.org

Intern Assignments: The Conservation Intern will work with AMCC staff to research and write background papers, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations or news articles for coastal Alaska newspapers or assist with specific conservation initiatives on one or more topics: specific fisheries conservation issues; ecological consequences of climate change on marine systems and ocean acidification; application of indigenous knowledge; the impact of corporatization on community fishery economies; impact of offshore oil and gas development. These articles and background papers will help AMCC's members, decision-makers and the public better understand unique characteristics of different Alaska marine life and community perspectives as they relate to conservation. The intern will also assist with a community event (e.g. staff an AMCC booth/display and speak directly with the public).

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Background in ecology/biology, economics, communications, or natural history
Excellent communication skills (writing, verbal)
GIS capability valuable but not required
Self-starter
Academic research skills
Strong interest in marine conservation, community values, and multi-cultural perspectives

Duration: Three months, start date between May 1 and June 1.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (National Wildlife Federation)

Title: Green Jobs Intern

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Description of Organization: The Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) program of the National Wildlife Federation empowers young people to impact vital environmental health and justice issues in Alaska through skills training, community action projects and campaigns, civic engagement opportunities, and career development/placement. Our mission is to inspire, educate and take action on environmental issues facing our communities. Six teenagers founded AYEA in 1998; today it is a statewide program with ten chapters throughout Alaska and youth participation from hundreds of villages and cities.

Website: www.ayea.org

Assignment:
The Green Jobs intern will serve as the Education Coordinator for the 2009 Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program. In its third year, the YEP program will employ approximately 70 teens from the Anchorage area to work on conservation and recreation related projects. Anchorage is home to half our state’s population and, with over ninety-five languages spoken in our school district, is the most diverse community in Alaska. The YEP program allows AYEA to reach out to a new population of youth that are not typically a part of the environmental movement.

As the Education Coordinator, the intern will plan and facilitate weekly leadership and civic engagement trainings for teen Crew Members throughout the summer-long program. The intern will mentor youth assistant crew leaders to help develop and conduct the trainings, in AYEA’s proven strategy of peer leadership. The intern will also plan and facilitate a week-long green-careers week, consisting of job shadowing opportunities, panel discussions, a career fair, and other activities. In addition to working with the YEP program, the intern will use any remaining time to assist AYEA in developing an inventory of sustainable employment, career development, and training opportunities for AYEA youth and graduates, and identify additional civic engagement opportunities for diverse urban youth populations through strategic partnerships.

Duties include:

Serve as the Education Coordinator for Youth Employment in Parks, including the above.
Collaborate with environmental organizations, agencies, unions, and businesses in Anchorage to assess green job opportunities/training and create a Directory.
Collaborate with a team of fun, energetic AYEA interns & staff.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Must be able to relate to diverse cultural/ethnic/racial backgrounds in Alaska; preference will be given to graduates of the AYEA program.
Experience working with teens.

Currently enrolled in University/College/Vocational program; HS Diploma required.
Interest in green business, job training programs, and/or education.
Strong written/oral communication skills; experience in training development and teaching.
Background/interest in environmental health, conservation, justice issues in Alaska.

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date between May 5 and 15 and end date between August 5 and 15, 2009.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Center for Alaska Coastal Studies

Title: Naturalist

Position Location: Homer, Alaska

Description of Organization: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) is a community-based nonprofit organization with a mission of fostering responsible interactions with our natural surroundings and of generating knowledge of the marine and coastal systems of Kachemak Bay. CACS provides educational, research, and land stewardship programs at three locations: the Peterson Bay Field Station on the semi-remote south shore of Kachemak Bay, the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center a 140-acre upland preserve outside of Homer, and the in-town Homer Headquarters facility.

Web Site: www.alaskacoastalstudies.org

Intern Assignment: CACS’s goals are to provide the intern with: 1) in-depth knowledge about Alaskan marine and forest ecosystem and local/regional environmental issues, and 2) training and experience in using environmental education skills to inspire and motivate people to preserve and protect Alaska’s and their own home environments.

Duties Include:

Receive training and mentorship in local and regional marine and forest ecology and in interpretive, instructional and group management techniques.
Develop and lead interpretive and natural history hikes and hands-on environmental education activities based out of Peterson Bay Field Station, accessible only by boat.
Complete a research or education project in consultation with CACS staff. Examples of past intern projects include: an octopus den survey, educational plant guides, and setting up an intertidal biodiversity invertebrate monitoring program.
Network with other Kachemak Bay environmental educators/naturalists, including CACS naturalists at the Wynn Nature Center, Pratt Museum, Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, and Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Academic background in botany and forest ecology and/or marine biology with field courses preferred
Experience with teaching or interpretation
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; must be comfortable speaking in front of groups of all ages
Good physical condition and willingness to live in a semi-remote location
Maturity to live in group situations and work as part of a team

Duration: Twelve weeks--preferred start date no later than June 1, 2009.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship. Housing for the intern is provided at Peterson Bay Field Station and in Homer, as well as boat transportation between the Field Station and Homer.

Host Organization: Cook Inletkeeper

Title: Watershed Monitoring Intern

Position Location: Homer, Alaska

Description of Organization: Cook Inletkeeper is a citizen-based non-profit organization located in Homer, Alaska and dedicated to protecting Alaska’s Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains. Founded in 1995, Cook Inletkeeper combines environmental research, education, and advocacy in a comprehensive watershed approach to protect Southcentral Alaska's water resources and fisheries habitats. Cook Inletkeeper works to guarantee clean water for abundant fish and wildlife, strong communities, lasting jobs, renewable energy, and public property rights.
Homer is literally at the end of the road. Located 225 miles south of Anchorage at the terminus of the Sterling Highway, Homer boasts itself to be the ‘Halibut Capital of the World’. In this scenic locale, glaciers tumble from jagged peaks while bald eagles climb thermals above the rich waters of Kachemak Bay.

Web Site: http://www.inletkeeper.org/

Intern Assignment: The Watershed Monitoring Intern will work with Inletkeeper staff to support citizen-based water quality monitoring efforts, monitor and assess the health of local salmon streams, and conduct basic laboratory analyses. This is an ideal position for students interested in science who enjoy working in the field. River and bear safety, water quality monitoring, and other training provided.

Duties Include:

Conducting an independent study of summer low flow conditions in local streams and cataloguing new development pressures on local waterways.
Assisting Stream Ecologist with salmon stream monitoring by deploying temperature loggers and stream gauges, measuring discharge and turbidity levels.
Assisting Monitoring Coordinator with the Citizens’ Environmental Monitoring Project (CEMP) by going through the volunteer water quality monitoring training and sampling a local stream site twice a month; coordinating volunteer level biological monitoring, including recruitment, training, field work; coordinating volunteers and field work for the Beach Monitoring Program in Kachemak Bay; and helping plan for the volunteer appreciation gathering in July.
Working independently analyzing turbidity and bacteria samples in the laboratory.
Writing articles and volunteer spotlight pieces for Inletkeeper’s monthly electronic newsletters.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Reasonable level of comfort with field and laboratory research work
Good organizational skills
Ability to work well in a team/with others
Solid written and oral communications skills
Valid driver's license
Familiarity with computers (Excel, Word)
Some background in water chemistry, hydrology, or a related field required

Duration: Twelve weeks, starting between May 1 and June 1, 2009.

Financial Support:This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Discovery Southeast

Title of Internship: Natural Science Educator

Location: Juneau, Alaska

Description of Organization: Discovery Southeast is a non-profit environmental education organization whose mission is to connect people to nature. Discovery Southeast is devoted to experience-based, inquiry-driven natural history and conservation education programs for children, adults, students, and teachers in Southeast Alaska.

Website: www.discoverysoutheast.org

Internship Assignment: The Natural Science Intern spends 70% of their time in the field leading, exploring, and delivering Discovery Southeast’s hands-on environmental education program, Outdoor Explorers (OE), to youth ages 7-12. This exciting and dynamic week-long day camp exposes youth to Juneau’s wild side through outdoor exploration, natural history, science based education, and art activities. The intern receives training and experience in inquiry based, hands-on field leadership as well as conservation education and Southeast Alaska natural history. The intern is also responsible for some coordination and administration of the OE program and reports to the Program Coordinator while working closely with a lead naturalist and other program staff.

Responsibilities:

Assist with the planning, coordinating, and leadership of outdoor day-camps;
Prepare lessons and activities that focus on outdoor skills, natural history, and connections between nature and science based principles;
Engage in outdoor procedures that emphasize safety, risk management, good judgment, positive group interaction, and personal leadership;
Perform administrative tasks in support of Outdoor Explorers and other Discovery Southeast programs.
Attend and assist with Discovery Southeast’s community-based, World Ocean Day event.

Qualifications:

Prior experience in environmental education, backcountry travel, and natural history interpretation.
Desire and proven ability to work with diverse youth between the ages of 7 and 12.
Creative teaching and supervisory skills.
Ability to manage risk, provide positive leadership, and interact constructively with others.
Knowledge of Pacific Northwest/Southeast Alaska natural history preferred.
Ability to hike in difficult terrain and conditions.
Current First Aid/CPR required; Wilderness First Responder preferred.
Good organizational, communication, and computer skills.
Valid driver’s license.

Duration: Twelve weeks - June through August 2009

Financial Support:This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Great Land Trust

Title: Habitat Conservation Intern

Location: Anchorage, AK

Description of Organization: The Great Land Trust (GLT) works with landowners and partners to conserve and restore lands and waterways in Southcentral Alaska. GLT is an independent, nonpartisan community-based land conservation organization founded by and for Alaskans.

Website: www.greatlandtrust.org

Assignment: Under the supervision of the Conservation Director, the Habitat Conservation Intern assists GLT and its partners conserve and restore important fish and wildlife habitat in Southcentral Alaska. The intern will have three main assignments: 1) Assist with the Little Campbell Creek Greenbelt Project which seeks to protect critical rearing and winter habitat for all 5 species of pacific salmon; 2) conduct annual monitoring of conservation easements and 3) assist with a management plan for an 80 acre Sandhill Crane preserve in Trapper Creek, Alaska.

Duties include:

Assist the Conservation Director to develop a habitat conservation and stewardship plan for individual parcels protected along Little Campbell Creek;
Develop and conduct an outreach program to inform homeowners living in the watershed about protected parcels, easement provisions, and stewardship activities;
Conduct site visits to develop additional baseline information about flora and fauna to help inform management/stewardship plans and to educate the public. Place signage and other appropriate conservation-related outreach information to increase public awareness;
Assist the Conservation Director to map and prioritize parcels for conservation in Southcentral Alaska;
Annual monitoring of conservation easements in Southcentral Alaska;
Assist with preserve management plan for the Dale Saunders Crane Sanctuary.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training: The intern should be enrolled in a graduate-level natural resources management or conservation program. Recent graduates and upper level students studying natural resources management and conservation are also encouraged to apply. All applicants should have the following skills:

A general understanding of surveying concepts and/or expertise in land navigation using maps, compass and GPS;
Intermediate skills in GIS using ESRI’s ArcMap, including an understanding of coordinate systems, layouts/maps, general shapefile creation and management and transfer of data back and forth from GIS to GPS;
Some experience and/or strong interest in observing, identifying, and documenting vegetation and vegetative communities as well as wildlife and general habitat features;
Technical writing and interpersonal communication skills;
Strong interest in land conservation and land use planning;
Experience with field work and office work;
Sense of humor.

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date is negotiable between May and September 2009

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing

Host Organization: Juneau Watershed Partnership

Title: Stormwater Outreach Specialist

Location: Juneau, AK

Description of Organization: The mission of the Juneau Watershed Partnership (JWP) is to promote watershed integrity in the City and Borough of Juneau through education, research and communication while encouraging sustainable use and development. JWP projects include stream clean-up events, community field trips, and local educational activities. We collaborate with other organizations and agencies to monitor water quality and general stream health, to prevent the decline of healthy streams and to restore the health of impaired waterbodies. We also bring local agencies and stakeholders together to build our understanding to make informed decisions about Juneau’s watersheds.

Website: www.juneauwatersheds.org

Assignment: The Juneau Watershed Partnership (JWP) seeks a dynamic individual to help us conduct educational and outreach activities regarding stormwater, stormwater run-off, and pollution in Juneau, Alaska. The goals of the project are to build knowledge in the community about local storm drain systems, raise public awareness through education and outreach of how pollution, sediment and debris impact local fisheries habitat.

Duties include:

Working on a community outreach campaign through the local media to introduce 'salmon-friendly' stormwater practices to the public.
Creating outreach materials such as fact sheets, newsletter articles, brochures, coloring pages, and web pages on 'salmon-friendly' stormwater practices.
Planning and leading a storm drain sticker event in Juneau

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Background in ecology, biology, watersheds, or natural history and knowledge of environmental and conservation issues.
Excellent creative writing and organizational skills.
Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher is desired.
Able to work both independently and as a part of a team
Ability to communicate effectively to diverse groups
Willing to communicate to the local media
Available to work occasionally on weekends and evenings

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date May 2009 depending on school schedule.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Northern Alaska Environmental Center

Title: Arctic Intern

Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Description of Organization: Founded in 1971, the Northern Alaska Environmental Center (NAEC) is North America’s farthest-north regional conservation group. The NAEC’s mission is to promote conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in interior and Arctic Alaska through advocacy and education. The NAEC has over 1,100 members committed to protecting Alaska’s great wilderness landscapes like the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, critical habitat areas like Teshekpuk Lake in the western Arctic and Arctic Ocean and other public lands in the northern region. NAEC has a staff of seven.

Website: www.northern.org

Assignment: The Arctic Intern will 1) conduct a summer-long project “Why Alaskans Support Arctic Refuge Wilderness… and Repowering America” to compile stories, quotes, and photos from a wide range of Alaskans for our web site and a printed booklet, poster, or short video; 2) research and write blogs and web updates on protecting Arctic Refuge and key habitats in America’s Arctic linked to climate change solutions; and 3) organize our annual Run for the Refuge (August 15th) and other summer events to raise awareness of Arctic Refuge wilderness and clean energy solutions by Alaska residents and tourists. The intern works closely with the Arctic Program Director on the national campaign for Arctic Refuge wilderness designation with their project as a contribution to it, as well as building local awareness of the upcoming Refuge planning process. The intern provides current facts on drilling and global warming effects to wilderness, wildlife, and culture and how citizens can support climate change solutions.

Duties include:

Conducts research, outreach and interviews and compiles Alaskan stories on Refuge Wilderness.
Researches writes fact sheets, web pages, factually accurate blogs and alerts on Arctic Refuge wilderness and linking it with clean energy solutions to global climate change.
Writes a brochure of NAEC summer events and an article for quarterly newsletter.
Coordinates logistics for Run for Refuge race event from beginning to end, including design and manufacture of T-shirts, bumpersticker, buttons and getting prize donations.
Recruits volunteers to co-organize, publicize, and participate in Run for Refuge and other events.
Writes press releases, ads, flyers, and mailers to encourage turn-out at events.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; must be comfortable speaking to groups.
Strong organizational skills.
Energetic, outgoing personality with positive, can-do attitude and ability to ask people to pitch in.
Commitment to environmental protection.
Preferred background in rural development, Alaska Native studies, natural resource management, environmental studies, biology, geography, oral history, photography, journalism or communications.

Duration: Twelve weeks with potential for an extension. Intern is required to stay through August 17, 2009.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Sitka Conservation Society

Title: Sitka Community and Environment Intern

Location: Sitka, AK

Description of Organization: The Sitka Conservation Society (SCS) is a grassroots, membership-based organization dedicated to the conservation of the Tongass temperate rainforest and the protection of Sitka’s quality of life. SCS has been active in Sitka, Alaska for over 40 years as a dynamic and concerned group of citizens who have a vested interest in their surrounding natural environment and the future well-being of their community. Sitka is a small, coastal community located on the rugged outer west coast of Baranof Island. Surrounded by the towering trees of the Tongass National Forest, the community has successfully transformed from an industrial past and the closure of a local pulp mill to a new economy featuring a diversity of employers and small businesses.

Website: www.sitkawild.org

Assignment: Sitkans are dependent on the spectacular surrounding natural environment for their unique community identity; quality of life amenities; commercial fishery fleets; subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering opportunities; and visitor industry that showcases and highlights the Tongass. SCS works to chart a course for a sustainable relationship with the surrounding natural environment in the Sitka Community Use Area (SCUA). That area is almost wholely managed by the federal government through the Forest Service and political motives have dictated management in the past. SCS works as community members to define how they use and depend on the area around Sitka and how the community wants to see these areas appropriately managed and protected for the future. The Sitka Community and Environment Intern will work with SCS staff to develop and promote this vision for a sustainable community use area through multi-media and other outreach materials as well as direct interaction with groups and individuals.

Duties include:

Outreach and organizing with specific groups who use and depend on natural resources to find common-ground management solutions to current management issues, including:

Communicate with and understand how specific groups interact with the surrounding natural environment and engage them to define their vision on how they would like to see the SCUA managed and protected,
Work to unify diverse interest groups towards consensus on management of the environment and sustainability; work towards commitments from new allies for action on permanent protection of critical habitat in Southeast Alaska.
Preparation of comments and letters of support, and other environmental advocacy projects as they arise.

Develop outreach materials for the web and other sources that highlight Sitkans connection to the SCUA

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Strong work ethic, outgoing and enthusiastic personality, and an ability to approach and interact with a diversity of community residents (including groups that could be defined as non-traditional environmentalists)
Ability to work as part of a team as well as well as to independently develop projects and work plans.
Multi-media savvy skills: web development, graphic design, etc.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Highly motivated, quick learner

Duration: Twelve weeks, starting in May 2009, with specific start and end dates to be determined by intern and SCS.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Southeast Alaska Conservation Council

Title: Tongass Grassroots Organizer

Location: Juneau, Alaska

Description of Organization: The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, one of America’s premiere grassroots environmental organizations, has worked since 1969 to safeguard magnificent wildlands in Southeast Alaska's Tongass National Forest, while encouraging the sustainable use of our region's resources. The Tongass is the largest intact ancient temperate rainforest remaining on our planet, and is still graced with healthy populations of wild salmon, brown and black bears, moose, Sitka black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. SEACC is a grassroots coalition of 16 community member groups in 13 communities stretching across the remote coastal terrain of Southeast Alaska. SEACC coordinates grassroots efforts, and works tirelessly with public officials and resource management agencies to protect valuable Tongass natural resources.

Website: www.seacc.org

Assignment: The intern will focus on SEACC’s new campaign to permanently protect valuable wild Tongass watersheds, while fostering sustainable communities’ economics.

Duties include:

Outreach to visitors and Southeast Alaskans to garner their support to protect valuable Tongass watersheds, with a significant amount of time carrying out organizing strategies with SEACC dedicated staff members. Activities may include:
Distributing educational materials to guest houses, hostels, visitor centers, ferries, airports, and other tourist hotspots;
Organizing outreach opportunities such as “tabling” during summer events and/or in high-visitor areas.
Assist in “groundtruthing” field work. Spend several days in the woods performing research and analysis that will feed into community forest plans and help inform decisions.
Assist in efforts to protect special places from damaging mining activities.
Identify conflicts between mining development/mineral exploration and special places.
Assist in efforts to protect clean water and intact watersheds from mine pollution.
Other duties may include media outreach, preparation of outreach materials, data analysis, preparing comments, helping to track relevant media reports, and other projects as they arise.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, or recent grad
Experience performing grassroots organizing and reaching out to new people
Highly motivated, quick learner, flexible, dedicated to getting the job done
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong analytical skills, great writing skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Committed to protecting the Tongass

Duration: Twelve weeks with potential of extension through host organization. Start and end dates to be determined by intern and SEACC.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding free or low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Taiya Inlet Watershed Council

Title: Community Outreach Coordinator

Location: Skagway, AK

Description of Organization: The Taiya Inlet Watershed Council (TIWC) is a community partnership working to protect and improve the health of the watershed through education, communication, research and restoration.

Website: www.taiya.org

Assignment: TIWC is seeking a fresh, spunky, innovative young person to connect to the lively community of Skagway by reaching out to the residents and visitors to promote an understanding of our local fisheries, natural resource management and our organization’s role in the community. The intern TIWC will have an exciting opportunity to make a large impact on a small but intense valley nestled in between towering mountains and gorgeous scenery. The potential to reach and educate hundreds of thousands of people by performing outreach activities will be beneficial to the intern, the people who live and visit Southeast Alaska and the Taiya Inlet Watershed Council.

Duties include:

Creating and/or updating outreach materials (newsletters, websites, brochures, etc) for various watershed management issues (storm water, pollution reduction, etc) in Skagway.
Planning, organizing and implementing fun events in Skagway such as our local fish derby, disc golf tournaments, fundraisers, public workshops, and participating in a summer camp for local kids.
Membership development and promotion. Recruiting volunteers and sitting in at other local events to promote an understanding of our organization and foster an interest in participating in local conservation efforts. Be a cheerful, smiley face and get people interested and involved.
Work with local kids and get them outside. Student participated field work such as water quality testing, fish trapping, creek walks and flora and fauna tracking.
Help develop an adopt-a-creek program and help organize volunteers with annual clean up events.

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Background in ecology, biology, natural resource management, or a general knowledge and understanding of environmental and conservation issues
Excellent creative writing and organizational skills and proficiency with computers
Exceptional graphic design, photography skills and/or a love for art to create visually appealing outreach materials.
Skills in marketing and promotion to help foster a stronger link between TIWC and the community of Skagway
A love for working with youth
Ability to communicate with diverse groups and the media and to work independently

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date May 2009 depending on school schedule.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Takshanuk Watershed Council

Title: Field Technician

Location: Haines, Alaska

Description of organization: Takshanuk Watershed Council promotes programs and projects within the Takshanuk Watershed which encompasses the Chilkat, Chilkoot, and Ferebee River systems, including all streams, lakes, and tributaries. The organization focuses on four major project areas: education, restoration, stewardship and research. The field work conducted by TWC promotes conservation through a better understanding of the area’s resources. Fish distribution and abundance studies, water quality and quantity and intensive watershed assessments are part of TWC’s field season.

Website: www.takshanuk.org

Intern Assignment: As a field technician for TWC, the intern will join TWC staff and volunteers in field work including fish trapping, identification, and population studies, water quality and quantity studies. High quality data collection and organization will be stressed. This position is best suited for a rugged, highly organized, individual. The intern will spend a lot of time working outside, hiking with field equipment. In the office, TWC’s GIS is used to manage data and to map results. Previous experience with GIS is preferred. Through the program the intern will gain an understanding of southeast Alaska ecology and natural history, pacific salmonid life histories and distribution, Alaska fisheries management, and rural community, watershed and tourism issues in Southeast Alaska.

Duties include:

Joining TWC staff in seasonal field work
Working in remote areas and in adverse conditions
Recording and organizing data at the TWC office

Qualifications / Skills / Required Training:

Experience in outdoor field biology
Wilderness First Aid, Advanced First Aid or First Responder certification is preferred
Excellent organizational skills
Experience with the following programs is desired: ArcGIS 8.3 or higher, Microsoft Word, Excel and Access
Able to work both independently and as a part of a team
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; intern should be comfortable speaking in front of groups of all ages
Must be able to work outdoors in all conditions

Duration: Twelve weeks, with a start date between May 1 – June 1, 2009

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing

Host Organization: Yakutat Salmon Board - City and Borough of Yakutat

Title: Natural Resource Planner

Location: Yakutat, AK

Description of Organization: The Yakutat Salmon Board serves to improve and protect watersheds and human communities within Yakutat through restoration, education, coordination, consultation, sustainable economic development, and cooperation among all interests, using the collective wisdom and professional action of our community members.

Website: www.yakutatsalmon.org

Intern Assignment: The Yakutat Salmon Board is seeking an intern for the field season of 2009. The primary job will consist of writing an operating plan for the creation of a community science center, submitting a community development block grant to the state of Alaska and approaching a variety of partners for potential collaboration.

Other duties will include helping to map a traditional 50-mile canoe route to the Alsek River, assisting with basic office operation and periodically volunteering for local resource agencies on a variety of field projects from fisheries to recreation. The latter opportunity allows the intern to experience work through wide range of professions, which is beneficial for choosing career paths.

Duties include:

Create a reference guide for foundations and universities interested in the science center
Author Community Development Block Grant for submittal to the State of Alaska
Write a basic operating plan for the facility that consists of three main components: Education, outreach and research

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:

Strong writing skills
Working towards or completed a bachelor's degree in natural resources or community planning
Ability to work outside in inclement weather
Ability to interact with a wide array of organizations and representatives

Duration: Twelve weeks, flexible start and end times between May and August 2009

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.

Host Organization: Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council

Title: Science and Renewable Energy Intern

Location: Anchorage, AK (or possibly Fairbanks if necessary and appropriate)

Description of Organization: The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) is a coalition of 66 sovereign Tribal and First Nation governments in Alaska and Canada. We were founded in 1997 by a group of 56 chiefs and elders who gathered to discuss their concern about increased cancers and other health problems in human communities and game species within the Yukon River watershed. From this gathering and based on these concerns, the Watershed Council was formed to restore the River and to protect it from further contamination. Our long-term vision is to once again drink clean water directly from the Yukon River as our ancestors did for thousands of years before us. This is currently not possible without suffering significant health impacts due primarily to industrial and military contamination, mining, and poor municipal solid waste and waste water management. The YRITWC now has departments to address water quality, renewable energy, contaminated lands, hazardous waste and backhaul, and Tribal capacity building.

Website: www.yritwc.org

Intern Assignment: We will tailor this position to the candidate's skills and interests. However, our vision is that the Science and Energy intern will support the Science and Energy departments through topical research and communication strategy development. The two main summer activities will be: 1) research and synthesize the progress of environmental science and renewable energy initiatives throughout the watershed and state, and 2) participate in a broader effort with the Energy and Science departments to better communicate this technical information to village communities and Tribal leaders. This two part focus will allow the intern to learn about statewide cutting edge achievements in environmental science, renewable energy, and rural technologies and help to shape the social impact of these developments by informing YRITWC member communities. This position is well suited for individuals with interests in science, energy solutions for Alaska, rural Alaska sustainability, and communication.

Duties Include:

Supporting water quality sampling throughout the Yukon Watershed
Build a summary of science and energy projects in the state
Work with Energy and Science departments to craft communication strategies appropriate for rural Alaska
Integrate Energy and Science Department data needs
Hands-on field work in the Watershed as appropriate

Qualifications/Skills/Required Training:
Good organizational skills
Good oral and written communication skills and abilities
Interest in culturally relevant issues in the Watershed
Background in the sciences or quantitative field desirable
Background in statistics and GIS desirable but not required
Open communicator and team member
An awareness of Alaska Native cultures and issues
The ability to apply skills learned through the internship for the benefit of the Alaska Native community

Duration: Twelve weeks, start date between May 1 and June 15, 2009.

Financial Support: This is a paid internship with assistance in finding low-cost housing.