Subject: Ecological Benefits Modeling Internship, U. S. National Park Service

Description:
The U. S. National Park Service (NPS) National Capital Region (NCR), Office
of Natural  Resources and Science (NRS) is seeking an upper level student
with a background in Forestry, Arboriculture, Modelling Ecological Benefits,
or related fields. The intern will use iTree Eco, a modeling program, to
quantify the benefits of trees on National  Park land in the  National
Capital Region.  The  intern will have the opportunity to analyze the
relative ecological benefits  conferred by trees using  10 years of data from
425 vegetation plots across the region. The highly urbanized and rapidly
growing region around NCR parks makes them increasingly important as a
critical refugia for biodiversity as species expand their ranges from the
south in response to climate change. We anticipate that the internship will
begin in January of 2018 and continue through May of 2018 for a total of
between 300 and 480 total hours.

The intern will work closely with the NPS Urban Ecology Research Learning
Alliance’s Science Education Coordinator. The intern will have the
opportunity to present findings to NPS staff in the National Capital Region.
This position will begin as soon as possible in 2018 and continue for 5
months depending on the student’s interest and available funding. Hours are
anticipated to be a combination of full-time and part-time. During January
and over Spring Break full-time,  up  to 40 hours a week, but part-time, not
to exceed 20 hours/week, during the semester. Duty station is flexible but
visits to the Natural Resources and Science Office in Washington, DC will
periodically be necessary. Additionally, the intern should have access to a
computer with experience in analysis, modeling, scaling up, and be able to
quantify ecological benefits.

UERLA is a National Park Service Research Learning Center that serves 16
parks in National Capital Region. We translate complex research results into
readily understandable information, providing research, education, and
technical assistance for parks. UERLA also provides science communication
outreach to park managers and external audiences via websites, workshops, and
publications. UERLA maintains research and education partnerships with
universities, not-for- profit, education, and other federal agencies. The
education activities of UERLA include providing training opportunities for
NPS staff and partners, participating in science education programs, and
building external partnerships that support science education in parks.
Within the Natural Resources and Science Office, other science programs, such
as botany, wildlife, geology, air resources, and inventory and monitoring,
aquatic ecology work with the Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance on
interdisciplinary projects.

Students must be enrolled in spring and fall semesters of 2018 in a degree
program. The position will be a University of Maryland paid internship.

If interested, provide a current resume, transcripts, and letter of interest
electronically to [log in to unmask], Science Education Coordinator, Urban
Ecology Research Learning Alliance, National Capital Region, National Park
Service, 4598 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC 20007, Cell: (240)
461-6171.

The deadline for applying is 12-22-2017 at 5 pm ET. We expect to begin
interviewing candidates by telephone 12-28-2017.


Contact Person: Kaci Thompson
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]