POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant
Park Unit: Climate Change Response Program
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: YES
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 10/07/2024
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $665.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
CURRENT NUMBER OF APPLICANTS: Under 75 (This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first.)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The NPS addresses the current and anticipated impacts of climate change to national parks through adaptation tools and methods such as vulnerability assessments, scenario planning, and the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework. These tools inform park planning and help parks integrate climate change considerations into daily operations. To learn more, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/c... proposed internship position will lead the development of a new set of tools—Scenario-based Climate Change Adaptation Menus—for parks to use in planning efforts. These Adaptation Menus will provide parks with lists of strategies and actions to consider as they prepare for climate change impacts to natural and cultural resources, facilities and infrastructure, and visitor use.
The intern will work closely with staff from the NPS Climate Change Response Program to identify existing sources of scenario planning and adaptation strategies. The intern will draw from those sources to develop a user-friendly database of strategies for different types of planning efforts and resource types. The intern may also help the NPS develop new lists of adaptation strategies where needed.
Specific tasks for this position could include:
- Interviewing NPS staff and staff at other federal agencies
- Reviewing and synthesizing existing lists of adaptation strategies and scenario planning processes
- Drafting of adaptation menus
- Creating interactive databases or tools where adaptation menus can be easily accessed
- Promoting adaptation menus and related databases or tools
- Scheduling meetings, notetaking
- Coordinating reviews, revision, and copy-editing
- Optional co-authorship of reports or other publications, if time allows
POSITION IMPACT
As natural and cultural resources continue to be impacted by climate change, there is an urgent need to identify and catalogue existing adaptation strategies and actions that parks can include in planning and management decisions. This project will provide a range of adaptation strategies across the full Resist-Accept-Direct spectrum that parks can use in planning efforts.
DELIVERABLES
Work Products: Desired deliverables from this project could include:
- An online database, tool, or other interactive platform for Adaptation Strategy Menus that is easily accessible and user friendly. The menus will highlight adaptation strategies for natural and cultural resources, facilities and infrastructure, and visitor experience;
- Helping to develop and document a replicable process for synthesizing existing adaptation strategy lists/menus and developing new ones; and
- A better understanding of who within the NPS needs adaptation strategy menus, how they could be used, and what types of menus are most needed.
Specific tasks to develop these deliverables could include:
- Interviewing NPS staff and staff at other federal agencies
- Reviewing and synthesizing existing lists of adaptation strategies
- Drafting of adaptation menus
- Creating interactive databases or tools where adaptation menus can be easily accessed
- Promoting adaptation menus and related databases or tools
- Scheduling meetings, notetaking
- Coordinating reviews, revision, and copy-editing
- Optional co-authorship of reports or other publications, if time allows
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
The intern will ideally have recently completed a graduate degree program at an accredited institution of higher education. Relevant graduate degree programs include natural resources, natural resources management, natural resources planning, resource management and policy, conservation social science, or similar fields. The intern should be interested in climate change adaptation research and application. The ideal candidate is highly motivated, a good writer and communicator, and enjoys working in a highly collaborative team environment. The candidate should have an interest in pursuing a career with a federal land management agency focusing on planning, policy, and resource management.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. The applicant must be available to participate for 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
Remote work preferred. Office space could be available in Fort Collins if intern chooses to relocate.
The city of Fort Collins has a population of around 175,000 people, with a broader metro area population of 330,000. Situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins is home to plentiful recreational opportunities, a vibrant nightlife scene, and family fun. From whitewater rafting on the nationally designated “Wild and Scenic” Cache La Poudre River to paddleboarding on Horsetooth Reservoir, to mountain biking in Lory State Park, there’s an abundance of outdoor adventure opportunities. Fort Collins is also home to Colorado State University and 20 (and counting) local breweries. Fort Collins prides itself on the plethora of restaurants and outdoor activities and a picturesque downtown.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is not required for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The intern will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. Remote work preferred. Rental housing is available in Fort Collins if intern chooses to relocate.
KEYWORDS
Climate change, adaptation, scenario planning
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first. Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks Intern positions per winter. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.)
LEARN MORE
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/