Land Stewardship Summer Interns
Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) in partnership with D&R Greenway Trust, is seeking two Stewardship Interns for summer 2019. The interns will work under the supervision of stewardship staff, assisting in the day-to-day activities of managing open space on preserved properties in Princeton, NJ. Interns will spend approximately 75% of their time working for Friends of Princeton Open Space at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve and 25% of their time with D&R Greenway Land Trust.
Job Description
- Invasive plant species control by manual removal and site monitoring
- Working on new and established habitat restoration projects, such as Monarch Waystations, deer exclosures
- Taking on leadership roles for volunteer workdays and outreach programs
- Monitoring for forest health/pests, such as the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly
- Creating and maintaining public hiking trails
- Caring for native plants and assisting with public plant sales in D&R Greenway’s native plant nursery
- Assisting in the operation of an urban farm
- Creating and distributing informational and educational displays
- Additional educational opportunities such as lectures/exhibits
- Data collection & management
The interns will learn plant identification skills and receive valuable experience in a wide range of land management activities including ecological restoration in various habitat types. They will partake in the day to day activities of managing a preserve for a non-profit entity.
Duration: 10 weeks, Mid-May through July 2019 (start & end dates can be flexible)
Hours: Monday through Friday, an average of 30 hours/week for a maximum total of 300 hours.
Compensation: $3,000 for the internship’s duration
Location: Princeton, NJ
Requirements: Ideal candidates will be actively pursuing a degree in ecology, natural resource management, or related fields; must possess a strong interest in conservation, desire to work outdoors in hot summer weather and the ability to conduct physically strenuous field work. Applicants must be able to work as a member of a team, be punctual, and maintain a positive attitude. Applicants must have their own transportation and live within commuting distance of Princeton. We do not provide field housing.
Desirable Skills: This internship program is well-suited for students that have a strong interest in native plant
communities, conservation biology, and habitat restoration, and for those eager to hone their plant identification skills.
Experience in native and invasive plant identification, ecological field monitoring/surveying, gardening/landscaping, plant propagation. GPS/GIS mapping are a plus.
To apply: Please send a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references in one document to Anna Corichi at info@fopos.org by April 21, 2019. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. Your cover letter should describe why you are interested in this internship, how your skillset suits the position, and why you feel it would advance your career objectives. For more information about D&R Greenway Land Trust and Friends of Princeton Open Space, please visit our websites.