Thursday, December 2, 2010

Outreach for a Botanical Internship on the Cherokee National Forest Summer 2011

The Cherokee National Forest is looking for a summer intern to work full-time (40 hrs/wk) for 10-12 weeks during the 2011 field season to conduct botanical surveys on the North end of the Cherokee National Forest between May 16 - August 26, 2011. Beginning and ending dates are somewhat flexible and people only able to work 30 hours/week will be considered.

Work Duties: Conduct botanical surveys on various Forest Service projects (wildlife, recreation, trails, fire, etc.) and rare species monitoring over a seven county area in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. Complete field reports, rare species occurrence forms, ID plants collected in the field, map rare occurrences, and enter into the rare species database. Prepare herbarium specimens and bryophyte packets for identification. Other opportunities would include participation in other surveys (fish, salamanders, bird, etc.) and Forest Service events. Transportation for work, field vests, and plant books will be provided.

Interns generally work 8 or 9 hour days, and usually not longer than 10 hours per day. Typical work schedule is Monday -Thursday 7:30-12:00, 12:30-5:00 and Friday 08:00-12:00. The first week of work will concentrate on training (safety protocols, field methodology and report writing). The remainder of the internship will concentrate on field work and associated report writing.

Duty Station: Unicoi, Tennessee (approximately 9 miles south of Johnson City, TN.)

Salary: GS5, step-1 (approximately $15.00/hr); GS4, step-1 ($13.41/hr)

Qualifications: A BS degree in biology, botany, or closely related field. Enrolled in a university for Summer or Fall term 2011. A working knowledge of the local flora including grasses and sedges. A valid driver’ s license. The ability to work in the field independently, read topographic maps, and use a compass and GPS unit with limited instruction. Physically capable of surveying in mountainous terrain for extended periods of time. Students lacking a BS degree, but having field botany training will also be considered at a lower salary (GS-4, $13.41/hr) providing they meet other qualifications.

How to apply/Questions: Applicants should provide a resume by January 28, 2011. The resume should include proof of knowledge of the local flora and proof of enrollment in Summer or Fall term 2011 (if possible). Information and questions should be addressed to Joe McGuiness, North Zone Wildlife Biologist at Unicoi Ranger Station, 4400 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, TN 37692, or by email (jmcguiness@fs.fed.us) or phone (423) 735-1536. The information provided will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted in February. Interviews will be conducted prior to a final decision in March.