Land Use Management Intern

Job Overview

This internship is offered in partnership with Wild Rivers Conservancy and the National Park Service at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. 

Wild Rivers Conservancy is currently recruiting applicants for up to two Land Use Management internships at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway during the summer of 2024. Positions will be temporary, full-time, with a minimum of 10 weeks, beginning May 30, 2024. 

The Riverway, one of the nation’s first wild and scenic rivers, is a National Park consisting of 255 river miles that flow through some of the most scenic and least developed land in the Upper Midwest. Learn more at: ​www.nps.gov/sacn​. 

 Wild Rivers Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that works to inspire stewardship to forever ensure the rare ecological integrity of the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway. Learn more at: www.wildriversconservancy.org 

Position Summary 

These positions are duty stationed at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway headquarters in Saint Croix Falls, WI, and are supervised by the Riverway’s Lands Program Manager. They provide students with practical work experience in the field of land management via on-site scenic easement monitoring and using GIS and other computer tools to develop maps and other products. This internship provides exposure to multiple National Park Service career opportunities with a special emphasis on land-use management. 

Core Functions

Both interns will work with the Lands Program Manager to conduct monitoring of scenic easements at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. 

• 70% of the time will be spent (1) creating field information folders for each easement parcel, (2) then using these field folders in monitoring scenic easements in the field. NPS scenic easement monitors are critical in helping us achieve our goals and protecting the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway for this and future generations. Monitoring requires good communication skills and being able to work with landowners as well as skill with a camera, GPS, and current tablet/app technology such as Survey 123, coupled with visual inspection and observation and (3) GIS analysis and creation of maps that can be taken into the field to identify changes to scenic easement properties.
• 30% of the intern’s time will be spent working directly with lands staff members to evaluate landowner building requests and populate individual tract files with information gathered as a result of easement monitoring. 

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• College student or recent graduate with coursework in natural, physical or cultural sciences; land use planning; GIS; database management; park/recreation management; outdoor recreation; natural or cultural resource management; or resource interpretation. 
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team, be detail-oriented and organized, and follow oral and written directions.
• Good oral and written communication skills. Ability to provide information to both the visiting public and private property landowners.
• Basic computer familiarity, Microsoft Office programs, basic understanding of ArcGIS Pro and/or Google Earth preferred. 
• A valid state driver’s license is required.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds independently, 50 pounds with assistance.

Work Site and Conditions

• The intern will be based at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway headquarters office in St. Croix Falls, WI.
• 50% of work will be in the office manipulating data, using the GIS software to make maps, creating reporting tools to be used during easement monitoring, and working on land use related problems.
• 50% of work will be in the field conducting easement monitoring and this will involve some physical activity, including walking on uneven terrain, standing for long periods, and in some cases paddling a kayak or canoe. 
• The internship will run from May 30 through mid-August 2024.
• An internship of a minimum of 10 weeks is preferred. Flexibility in the length of the internship is negotiable.
• Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., standard 40-hour work week is preferred.   
• A fingerprint and background check is required. 

Benefits

• Food and expense allowance of $500 per month
• Housing is provided for the duration of the internship for those coming from outside of the area.
• Training in paddling skills, CPR/First Aid, and any necessary training to perform internship duties.
• Up to $1500 for college credits/tuition is provided to the school in which the student is enrolled upon completion of the internship. 
• With 250 hours worked, you will receive a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies (valid for 12 months after issue).

How to Apply

Send all of the following information:

1. Cover letter.  State the internship you are applying for, why are you interested in the internship and in working in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
2. Detailed resume, including work experience.
3. Three references

Email to:

Wendy Tremblay
Community Engagement Manager
Wild Rivers Conservancy
[email protected]
(715) 483-3300 x 30

Deadline:  Applications must be received by 5 pm on Friday, February 9, 2024.