Position Description: Freshwater GIS Assessment Intern Job Opening ID: 11077 Title: Freshwater GIS Assessment Intern (full time, temporary) Office Location: Chester, Morris County, New Jersey Position duration: 6 months (flexible start date, earliest preferred is July 1st 2009)
About Us The Nature Conservancy is the worlds leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Essential Functions The Freshwater Assessment Internship provides an opportunity for applying and developing an understanding of aquatic ecosystems to help identify priorities for freshwater conservation across a large geographic area. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), the assessment is focusing on the condition of key attributes of streams and floodplain systems. The position will primarily involve collecting, processing, and compiling various biotic and abiotic data and conducting GIS-based analyses of freshwater systems in New Jersey and the Delaware River Basin. Other responsibilities comprise a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, literature research, data entry, and report writing. The intern will be exposed to a range of opportunities to develop analytical and applied conservation skills during the course of the internship. These may include learning about key factors influencing freshwater habitats and the practical conservation of large landscapes, participating in conservation planning efforts, and gaining exposure to a global conservation organization. Primary Responsibilities: 1. Assist in the development and application of spatially-explicit freshwater ecosystem assessments. 2. Run spatial and statistical analyses using ArcGIS and other appropriate software. 3. Collect and format data from various sources, including federal, state, and other organizations. 4. Perform a variety of other office-based work including data entry, map production, and report writing. 5. Contribute to various on-going conservation science, planning, and on-the-ground-management activities, with opportunities to learn new skills and enhance existing knowledge. Basic Qualifications 1. Associates degree in natural resources, environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months of experience. 2. Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software and using ESRI ArcGIS software to conduct GIS analyses. Preferred Qualifications 1. Ability to work independently, efficiently, and in an organized manner with strong attention to detail. 2. Strong GIS and data management skills and a desire to advance analysis skills. 3. Effective communication skills, whether in writing, in person, or on the telephone. 4. A cheerful and outgoing personality, positive attitude, sense of humor, and team spirit. How to Apply http://www.nature.org/careers/work/art24244.html Please submit résumé and cover letter as one document by May 29, 2009 by accessing TNCs online system using the link above. All sections of the online application must be completed (e.g. work experience and education, even if this information is included on résumé) in order to be considered for the position. Questions may be addressed to Ellen Creveling at [email protected] Salary Information: $10 per hour EOE Statement The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
