POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Biology Assistant
Park Unit: Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 12 Weeks
Start Date: 10/2/23
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $625.00
Relocation Allowance: $1,050.00
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Pearl Harbor National Memorial is currently undertaking a rehabilitation of the historic Chief Petty Officer Bungalows neighborhood, a contributing part of the Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark. As part of this project, the park is planning to remove trees that are unhealthy or overgrown and to propagate offspring for replanting to maintain the historic landscape. The park is seeking an intern to assist in successful propagation and outplanting of historical trees and shrubs at the CPO Bungalows unit. The intern will be a valuable team member to support the park with saving and replacing the historic trees that contribute to the historic landscape. The intern will help in conducting various propagation techniques, including root and stem cutting propagation as well as air-layering. Duties include monitoring progress in rooting of propagated plant materials, potting/planting, monitoring growth of potted plant materials, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, sanitation, irrigation, outplanting and initial outplanting maintenance. Intern will also assist in establishing an on-site nursery. Duties for this include clearing debris, installing weed cloth, irrigation and nursery benches. The intern will acquire skills working with historic tree stock that can be also utilized for non-historic trees and shrubs.
POSITION IMPACT
This intern would benefit this project by strengthening the partnership between the park and the university. PERL has a gardener/arborist on staff, Anna Welland, who will work with the intern to collect cuttings, setup the on-site nursery. Having the internship will be a benefit to the park by reducing the project burden on the Gardener position so that they can help by mentoring and teaching rather than doing the work. This project will also have a broad impact because of it's connection to both the natural and cultural resource disciplines. The work will work to highlight this partnership and provide interpretation and media opportunities if there is interest.
DELIVERABLES
The primary results and deliverables for this project will be to create a living propagation program that the park can utilize to maintain it's historic landscape in perpetuity. One intern will also gain worthy career experience and experience working in a National Park unit within Hawaii.
- Produce replacement plants propagated from historical trees and shrubs
- Establishment of an on-site nursery in preparation for field planting
- Installation and initial maintenance of outplantings of propagated historical trees and shrubs
- Presentation of results to park management
- Submission of project results for web content
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at UH Manoa.
- Background in tropical horticulture, botany, conservation biology or related field with some experience in propagating and growing plants.
- Experience working in the field and in a greenhouse with potted plants, including media preparation, plant sanitation, fertilization, irrigation installation and pest/disease management.
- Ability to work independently with moderate supervision.
- Ability to conduct moderately strenuous field work.
- 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
The work environment will primarily be in field and greenhouse or garden settings. Fieldwork will occur at the Chief Petty Officer's Bungalows unit of Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Ford Island within the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The neighborhood is a contributing element to the Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark. The Greenhouse or propagation center is located at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in Honolulu. The intern will work with UH-Manoa professor Orville Baldos from the Sustainable Ornamental Production program within the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. Some work will also occur with a computer and in a office or laboratory setting.
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.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial does not have park housing. However, the university may be able to provide temporary housing. Ideally, this will be a local candidate that already has housing on island.
KEYWORDS
Trees, propagation, historic trees, WWII, Pearl Harbor, Chief Petty Officer Bungalows, Ford Island, O'ahu, cultural landscapes, National Historic Landmarks