Conservation District Intern

Job Overview

The Washtenaw County Conservation District is a local government agency that assists residents and landowners with the conservation, management, and wise use of natural resources of Washtenaw County. We assist Washtenaw County residents through countywide resource assessments, conservation resource distributions, conservation education, and one-on-one technical assistance.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The WCCD internship is designed to support interest in professional opportunities within the natural resource conservation/agricultural related fields. The WCCD Internship program will provide leadership and development opportunities for individuals early in their career.  Interns will assist the WCCD with primarily event activities, field work, and community engagement with a final summary presentation of completed work to the board of directors at the conclusion of the program.

The internship position is a non-exempt, temporary, part-time position (estimated 15 hours per week). The Internship Program will begin in May 2023 and continues for 16 weeks.

Position Duties & Responsibilities:                                                                       

1. Community Engagement:
   • Rain Barrel Distributions
     • Participate in all distributions

1. • Outreach Events

• Promote District, other programs, and events
  1. County/State Fair
  2. Ann Arbor Farmers Market
• District Events
  • Assist with organizing, setting up, and tearing down events and field days
    1. Native Plant Expo & Marketplace
    2. Native Plant Swap
    3. MAEAP Field Day
    4. Coffee & Conservation
    5. Well Water Testing Event
    6. Fall Tree & Native Plant Sale

1. Equipment Rental Program
   • Transport or retrieve equipment as needed
   • Assist residents with scheduling equipment usage
   • Create system for promoting tree planter program
   • Develop effective equipment inventory tracking
   • Identify conservation equipment needs of landowners and expand program as appropriate
2. Career networking/development
   • Lunch and learn with HRWC
   • Attend MACD Summer Conference (first week in June)

• Attend 3 Township Meetings
• Attend 1 Farm Bureau Meeting
• Attend 1 Project RED Meeting
• Attend 1 NAP field work day

4. Volunteer Recruitment
   • Assist with new volunteer recruitment
   • Research CRM
5. Promotion and Marketing
   • Create & distribute promotional materials as assigned
   • Enhance Youtube engagement
6. Field Experience
   • Shadow the WCCD staff to understand role and responsibilities
   • Soil and water sampling
7. Event/Sales Planning Process
   • Research and plan for soil sample drive
   • Promote Rain Barrel & Composter Sales

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Have completed the first year of an undergraduate program.
2. Currently enrolled in relevant field of study (natural resources, agriculture, forestry, biology, conservation, etc.)
3. Valid driver’s license
4. Reliable personal transportation
5. S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
6. A 3.0 minimum grade point average on a 4.0 scale

ABILITIES:

1. Strong social and interpersonal skills.
2. Very strong communication skills- both written and verbal.
3. Entrepreneurial and able to solve problems independently and creatively.
4. Self-motivated and goal oriented.
5. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
6. Comfortable with hybrid remote working environment.
7. Excellent computer skills are required. Computer workstation will be provided, including a standard PC with Windows-based software.
8. Able to work cooperatively with district personnel and other agencies.
9. Able to work efficiently outdoors in varying conditions and rough terrain; must be able to lift 20 lbs.
10. Regular travel to event and field locations around the county and is required.
11. Must be able to pass a security background check.
12. Must have full COVID-19 vaccination, meet religious or medical exception eligibility requirements.

SALARY, BENEFITS, WORK HOURS, LOCATION

This position will be based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Work time will be generally split between the main WCCD office, remote (home) office and field work. The Washtenaw County Conservation District office is located at the Washtenaw County Service Building at 705 N. Zeeb Rd, #201, Ann Arbor 48103.

This is a temporary, (estimated 15 hours per week) part-time hourly position. Starting hourly compensation at $15/hr. Typical work hours will be Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

ABOUT THE WCCD

The WCCD is a local government agency and has played a significant role in assisting residents and landowners with access to trees, plants, and conservation tools in Washtenaw County since 1948. Our mission is to assist residents with the conservation, management, and wise use of natural resources in Washtenaw County. Since 1951 the WCCD has distributed over 7.1 million trees, shrubs, and native plants for various conservation purposes.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, two professional references by email to Outreach Coordinator, Dru Mark-Wilson [email protected]  by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10^th.  Please combine all application materials into one PDF file for review and state “Application – Intern” in the email subject line. Contact Dru Mark-Wilson at the above email address with any questions related to the position. To obtain further information about the Washtenaw County Conservation District visit our website at www.washtenawcd.org