Science Career Development Intern (NPS, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the National Park Service at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK), is recruiting two positions to support the emerging Tule Springs Expedition Research Learning Center program. This youth stewardship program will provide career opportunities, training, and natural and cultural resource management skills to the selected interns. These interns will perform hands-on field studies and resource management aimed at the National Park Service mission with a focus on restoring and interpreting native plant habitats, desert wildlife, and the paleontological resources unique to TUSK. 
 

The NPS will collaborate with the youth interns to:

1. Support resource management objectives outlined in TUSK’s General Management Plan
2. Coordinate and execute volunteer service and citizen science programming to the public
3. Foster the training and career development of the youth interns, including data collection, data management, and problem solving
    

The interns will be supervised by the TUSK lead Park Ranger and work collaboratively across divisions, such as resource management, maintenance, and volunteers.

Primary Responsibilities:

Selected applicants will spend 75-80% of their time improving science literacy and learning new field techniques & data collection and management skills. 
 

 Training and mentoring:

• Problem identification, fieldwork planning, safety operations, navigation, data collection protocols, and technical writing.
• Natural resource data management within TUSK operational archives and databases, including training with ArcGIS software, and data entry into park databases and Microsoft Excel.
• Audubon Climate Watch service-learning program event coordinated and led by youth hires with NPS staff and partner support.

 Community Outreach & Informal Interpretation:

• Interns conduct community outreach to engage the diverse surrounding community.
• Operate pop-up tables at park trailheads to encourage good stewardship and curb resource problems (e.g. B.A.R.K. Ranger program, wildlife, plants, etc.)

Volunteer Service Programs:

• Youth-led volunteer service event focused on habitat restoration.
• Youth-supported volunteer service event in partnership with the park’s Friends Group focused on trash cleanup.

Career Development & Training:

• Shadow other divisions as interest and as scheduling allows (e.g. Interpretation, Education, Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, Volunteers, Maintenance).
• Shadow programs from other local NPS units or local Public Land sites as scheduling allows.
• Attend local and/or online trainings by the NPS or affiliated organizations as scheduling and funding allows (e.g. grant writing, safety, first aid, GIS, interpretation, Federal Job resumes, etc.).
   

Timeline:

• Term dates, 14 project weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week)
• Schedule: 8 hours daily/ 5 days a week

Location:

The 22,650-acre urban National Monument is located just north of the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, Nevada. A full range of shopping, dining, medical, dental, religious and recreational facilities are available in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City. There is also an international airport located in the city center. The offices for TUSK staff are in Boulder City, NV, approximately 45 minutes away from the park. TUSK is located within the Mojave Desert. Fall and Spring temperatures are approximately highs in the 80s/70s with overnight lows in the 50s/40s Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures are approximately highs in the 70s/60s with overnight lows in the 30s Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures can reach as high as 115 Fahrenheit. TUSK has heat safety procedures, equipment, and precautions for staff, volunteers, and partners. The upper Las Vegas Wash within TUSK can experience intermittent flash flooding during winter rains and monsoon events. It is frequently windy at the park, regardless of the time of year. The average elevation is approximately 2,300 feet above sea level; the park is within the valley and does not go into the mountains. The park has no on-site facilities, including restrooms, water refill stations, or visitor centers. There are public restrooms nearby that staff may use while doing fieldwork at the park. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $18 hourly;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: 

• Will not be provided and the selected participant will be expected to procure housing on their own. TUSK office headquarters are located in Boulder City, Nevada, in the Las Vegas metro area. The office and the park are located within a 45 minute drive in either direction to Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, Nevada. 

Required:

• Must have finished at least high school with a diploma or hold a high school equivalent (HSE) credential;
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting with peers, senior staff, volunteers, and the community;
• Willingness to work with diverse audiences;
• Ability to use mobile devices, such as basic working knowledge of using a smart phone and tablet;
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to National Park Service human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

Preferred: 

• Reliability: ability to follow through on assigned tasks, communicating struggles and asking for help, and punctuality; 
• Communication: clear and timely written and oral communication;
• Teamwork: collaborates effectively;
• Technology: uses digital tools/media, such as Microsoft Office; 
• Leadership: shows initiative, is willing to take chances, and is open to learning opportunities;
• Education: College-level classes in any related subject matter (e.g. natural sciences, history, writing, etc.)

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The work requires some physical exertion and can involve extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines outdoors, and carrying backpacks, tools, monitoring and inventorying equipment, or other loads. The monument is considered an urban monument, but there are park roads that require four wheel drive. Driving to and from the monument is done on freeways and surface streets. Since the park is new, there are no permanent restrooms on the monument, and no water sources. Employees are required to carry and bring supplies with them as needed for field work (all required Personal Protective Equipment and field supplies will be supplied by TUSK). 

How to Apply: 

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume no longer than 2 pages, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for two professional and/or academic references (can be a supervisor from volunteer work). Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes: 

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.
 

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
 

Disclaimer: 

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.