“While hiking, I have always appreciated the trails that have facilitated so many of my experiences and explorations in nature. It wasn’t until this summer, though, that I really contemplated or understood what it takes for those trails to persist; how they come into existence and how they remain accessible through time.” (2024 TPI Intern)
Overview: Two paid, part-time Trails & Preserves Internships (TPI) are available for college students to gain hands-on, real-world stewardship experience on land trust properties. Stewardship responsibilities include assisting in new trail construction, maintaining existing trails, serving preserve visitors, managing campsites, invasive species control, recreational management, and outreach activities. TPIs spend most of their time in the field, working independently and with SRA staff and volunteers to complete a variety of stewardship and recreational management duties. Interns complete a capstone project and report on results at the conclusion of the appointment.
Expectations:
- Keep a positive attitude, have an eagerness to learn, and a willingness to do one’s best
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of a small team
- Maintain accountability, responsibility, and respectfulness in one’s work, including daily tasks and logistics
- Develop learning goals and provide a reflection of experience and knowledge gained through the position
- Follow all safety guidelines and protocols
Specific tasks:
- Carry out recreational stewardship activities, including trail building/maintenance, campsite maintenance, carpentry projects, landscaping, and mapping
- Contribute to land and water stewardship projects, including habitat management, invasive species removal, and stream restoration projects
- Conceptualize and carry out a stewardship capstone project
- Serve as an outreach trail ambassador to visitors/hikers to facilitate a positive trail experience
- Assist with outreach programming, events, and visitor surveys as needed
- Conduct project-related administrative work, such as compiling data, organizing files as needed.
- Maintain various tools and equipment.
Qualifications:
- Interest in protecting and improving the environment for all
- Capacity to work outdoors in harsh conditions (precipitation, temperature extremes, insects, etc.)
- Must be able to regularly lift/carry 50 lbs.
- Minimum of one year of college (environmental science, forestry, natural resources management, outdoor recreation, or related major preferred) OR one year of related outdoor work experience
- Valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle for transportation amongst preserves. Experience with trucks, trailers, and utility vehicles preferred. Mileage is reimbursed at federal rate ($0.70/mile).
- Experience in land stewardship, trail maintenance, and/or landscaping preferred
- Enthusiasm for SRA’s conservation mission and good interpersonal & communication skills
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Working with Steep Rock Association: Compensation is $16.50/hour, 20 hours per week for ten weeks. Start and end times are flexible. SRA has a collegial and team-oriented work environment. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and act in accordance with laws applicable to employment practices. For more information, please visit www.steeprockassoc.org.
To Apply: Submit cover letter expressing interest in position and resume/cv to info@steeprockassoc.org. Please put “TPI Intern” in the Subject line.
