8-WEEK SUMMER INTERNSHIP IN PLANT RESTORATION ECOLOGY USDA-ARS, Sidney Montana Pay: GS-3: $11.95/hour (roughly $3,824 for eight weeks,40 hours/week)
Intern wanted to assist with vegetation data collection. This project will determine the factors that contribute to success of mine revegetation projects. Success will be measured in terms of seeded grass establishment and the non-establishment of noxious weeds in these areas. The intern will work alongside a PhD scientist in quantifying establishment of seeded species, other native species, and noxious weeds in historic mine revegetation projects in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. This is part of a larger project to determine the interacting effects of seeded species, cultural seeding practices, rainfall, and soil type on revegetation success. The intern will assist in the field work to collect plant establishment data and will summarize these data. The field work includes four-wheel driving, hiking, camping, establishing plot locations, measuring plant frequency and biomass within the plots, and recording data in field computers. The intern will use Microsoft Excel to summarize the data and a word processing program to write a summary of the project, including introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. The intern will work with our technology transfer specialist to develop a poster that communicates the project summary. This poster will be presented at a laboratory poster session at the end of the summer that all interns will participate in. There will be an opportunity to share our results with the public at our booth at the county fair. The internship begins in June, and candidates available at the beginning of the month will be given priority in hiring. There is an opportunity to extend this internship beyond 8 weeks. Sidney MT is a small town of 5,000 people near the border of North Dakota. There are abundant recreational opportunities, and the National Grasslands are less than 10 miles from town. Free, temporary two-week housing is available while the intern arranges summer housing. Contact person: Dr. Erin Espeland, [email protected], phone: 406-433-9416 Web Address: http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=43176 Application Deadline: March 15, 2010. Selection will be made by March 25. Eligibility and Qualifications: 1. Must be a U.S. citizen or a citizen of certain countries in alliance with the United States (must have permanent residency); and 2. Be currently enrolled and have successfully completed at least one year of classes at an accredited vocational, technical, two-year or four-year college/university in a degree program (seeking a Certificate, Associate, BS/BA, MA/MS, or PhD) with at least six hours in math and/or science courses; and plan to continue your education in the fall of 2010 (proof of enrollment will be required). 3. College level general biology is required. Some experience with species identification is preferred. Application Instructions: Write a statement of interest and include three personal or professional references. Reference letters are welcomed but are not required. Complete the form found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf . For item #1 put Intern, for item #2 put GS-3, and leave item #3 blank. E-mail materials to [email protected] by the application deadline. www.ars.usda.gov/npa For information about the ARS Northern Plains Area (NPA) The USDA is an equal opportunity employer
