Invasive Species Intern

The Arenac Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to fill our summer 2024 Invasive Species Technician Internship positions. The Technician Intern will be responsible for assisting the Invasive Species Coordinator and Invasive Species Crew Lead on programs and grants that address invasive species populations in the Saginaw Bay Cooperative Species Management Area. 

The intern will participate in invasive species monitoring, data collection, treatment, outreach, education, and other activities as assigned. The Invasive Species Intern will be directly supervised by the Arenac Conservation District Executive Director and Invasive Species Coordinator and will work closely with them to ensure tasks and projects are completed on time and to funding/quality standards.  The intern should be outgoing, able to work both independently or as a team, and able to communicate with the public about invasive species issues in a non-confrontational, accessible, and conservation-minded way. The successful intern will have the opportunity to be invited back for Summer 2025.

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuing a degree in a natural resources-related program or earned a degree in a related field
• Ability to work with rural private landowners
• Valid state-issued driver’s license & reliable personal transportation
• Basic knowledge of invasive species
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills 
• Excellent computer skills – Microsoft Office 365
• Experience with ArcGIS

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with community outreach
• Certified pesticide applicator
• Navigation skills: compass, GPS, etc.
• Plant identification

Working Environment:

Work will be conducted largely in the field with some office time. The intern will frequently make field visits that may involve walking on rough terrain, carrying heavy equipment, climbing steep banks during all weather conditions and carrying 50+ pounds. The position requires average agility and dexterity during field visits. Protective gear and clothing such as personal protection equipment, boots, and gloves may be necessary during field visits. The position may also include the use of light-duty equipment such as backpack sprayers or other small machines. Chosen applicants will also be expected to have reliable transportation as the use of an employee’s personal vehicle will be required during employment at certain times.

Salary and Position Details

The salary for the position will be $15.00/hr. Working hours are generally 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours. 40 hours/week is required. The position will start in Mid-May and end mid-September with some flexibility on start and end dates. The main office location will be at 4490 W. M-61 Standish, MI. with some work days taking place at a satellite office due to space requirements. Field work will mainly be in Bay County but may also include Arenac, Huron, Saginaw, Sanilac, or Tuscola.