POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant
Park Unit: Isle Royale National Park
Location: Houghton, Michigan
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 20 weeks
Start Date: 11/6/2023
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $625.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This internship will focus on compilation and data management of two long-term datasets from Isle Royale research projects. These projects focused on arctic disjunct plants and pollinators and boreal chorus frog micro-evolution, and were initiated almost three decades ago. Data collection concluded in 2020 for both of these projects. These are rich datasets which will be critical in understanding impacts of climate change on unique plant and amphibian communities on the southern edge of the boreal forest biome. The intern will work closely with the researchers as well as Isle Royale resource management personnel and personnel from the Lake Superior Collections Management Center. The intern will compile field notebooks, datasets, annual records, pollination videos, frog census data, and publications from these projects and assist park staff in preserving two of the longest running research programs at Isle Royale National Park.
POSITION IMPACT
Documenting long-term research at Isle Royale National Park is a natural resource priority. All too often, data is collected and disappears from the public domain and we are committed to working with researchers to preserve research conducted on public lands and to make it publicly available. Currently this significant collection of an endemic and other arctic-disjunct plants, insect, and chorus frog specimens and all the associated records from over 25 years of research is not accessible to the public or to researchers. Having the collection cataloged will provide access through finding aids and the NPS web catalog. This project could provide critical information on climate change at Isle Royale. The long-term nature of the collection, including the field notes and photographs, makes it an excellent reference for detecting changes over time in artic-disjunct species, their associated insect pollinators, and in a frog-species adapted to cold climates.
DELIVERABLES
The expected deliverables for this project include:
1. Inventory of records from the two research projects
2. Transcription and/or scans of field notebooks
3. Summary report at end of internship
We are currently seeking funding for a larger project to catalog plant, insect, and amphibian samples collected in this research and the work products from this internship will be a valuable first step in moving the project forward.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Candidate must have an enthusiasm for both science and data management and a passion for data. Candidates should hold an undergraduate degree from a Social Sciences, Data Science, Natural Resources or Environmental Sciences program, but other degrees will be considered. The position could be filled by a recent graduate, but higher skilled candidates can apply and job duties could be adjusted accordingly. No specific coursework is required. Experience writing and working in databases is preferred. The intern should possess an excellent work ethic, attention to detail, and most importantly a positive attitude. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“green-card-holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
WORK SETTING
This position is primarily office based and located at the mainland park headquarters in Houghton MI. The intern will have their own office. Houghton is located in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on the South Shore of Lake Superior. The region is dominated by vast areas of lakes, forests and wetlands. Houghton is the home of Michigan Tech University and the area offers many options for dining, grocery stores, retail shops, and has two hospitals. Houghton was rated as one of the top 10 U.S. adrenaline outposts by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, boasting excellent skiing, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. There is a small regional airport which offers daily flights to Chicago.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Yes, applicant will need a valid driver's license in order to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
No. Park housing is NOT available. The intern will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Park housing is NOT available. The intern will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. The position will be located at the park headquarters in Houghton MI, where park housing is not available. Houghton is home to Michigan Tech University, which has around 7,000 students. Opportunities to sublease rooms, houses or apartments are typically available and in the range of $400-$800/month depending on location. Dormitory style housing may also be available on campus at a higher monthly cost.
KEYWORDS
data curation, amphibians, botany, pollinators