Conservation and Recreation Internship

Summary

The Conservation and Recreation Interns (CRI) will work with the Director of Conservation and the Recreation Program Manager as part of the Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) team. The CRIs will work together to complete fence removal and installation, invasive species management, trail work, guide trail maintenance volunteer activities, and provide education to the public on these project elements. The CRIs must be in high school or secondary education (college or trade school) for the duration of the internship and be 16 – 24 years old by May 15th, 2025.

What You Will Gain

This internship will develop the following knowledge and skills:

• Education and outreach experience
• Land conservation practices
• Trail maintenance strategies
• Communicating with different audiences
• Project management

What You Will Be Working On

Removal, installation, and maintenance of wildlife friendly fence– 20%

• Asist in the removal, installation, and maintenance of fencing.
• Asist in development and installation of interpretive signs detailing benefits of wildlife friendly fencing.

Invasive species management – 30%

• Asist in the removal of juniper bushes.
• Asist in the removal of Russian Olive Trees.
• Asist in development and installation of interpretive signs detailing benefits of invasive species management.

Construction and maintenance of community trails – 25%

• Conduct projects such as mowing and weed eating, trail reshaping, management of weeds, and cleanup of debris
• Building and shaping new trail surface, repairing trail damage, and enhancing trailheads with the use of hand and machine tools
• Involves often strenuous labor using and transporting over distance hand tools, equipment (trimmer, weed sprayer, chainsaw) and/or supplies in wheelbarrows (lumber, gravel, etc.)

Managing community trail volunteers – 25%

• With the help of the Recreation Program Manager coordinate volunteer groups including planning ahead for the group and their needs; as well as, leading the group during their volunteer time
• Develop and promote volunteer opportunities that individuals can complete outside of set volunteer events
• Communicate with volunteer through email and phone

Basic Qualifications and Skills

• Interest in land and habitat restoration
• Interest in conservation
• Prior knowledge and/or experience trail maintenance and construction
• Familiarity with hand tool care and maintenance
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Possess a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation
• Ability to navigate using maps and/or GPS, walk in rough, rural and wide-open terrain, and be willing to work outdoors in all weather

Physical Requirements
Cutting trees and bushes with chain saws, bow saws, and loppers, cutting wire with hand tools, removing posts from the ground, working with barbwire, lifting approximately 30-50 pounds, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, hiking long distances, and other physical exertion.

Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office and field setting. Travel within Sheridan County will be required, as well as occasional weekend and evening work.

Salary/Benefits
This is a temporary (480 total hours), full time internship. The start date is no sooner than May15th and is negotiable. The end dates are determined by workload but expect an approximately 12 week term with a fixed term length of 480 hours. Compensation will be at an hourly rate of $18.00.