Overview

Overview
The Environmental Surveillance, Education, and Research (ESER) Program monitors vegetation on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site. Multiple ecological positions are available to work as paid internships collecting and managing data on ecological monitoring projects funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). Vegetation data will be collected for a project supporting monitoring efforts for sage grouse habitat. Data collected for this project are used to assess sage grouse habitat condition annually, monitor changes in habitat condition, and measure the effects of vegetation change on habitat availability. The positions are temporary, full-time for the 2021 summer field season (late May to mid-August) and the anticipated start date is May 24, 2021. Pay will range from $15.00 to $20.00/hour, depending on experience. Interns will report to our Idaho Falls office between 5:30 – 6:30 am., Monday – Thursday for ten-hour shifts. Daily field work will be conducted within 900 square miles of sagebrush steppe on the Snake River Plan on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site.

Responsibilities:
Field crews will be conducting vegetation surveys in rugged backcountry terrain. Duties include vegetation sampling, plant identification, navigating by GPS, transporting survey equipment up to 50 pounds, hike off-trail to sampling locations, operating 4WD vehicles on unimproved roads, recording information on electronic tablets, and operate in inclement weather conditions.

Qualifications:
Applicants should currently be college students or recent graduates. Preference will be given to students in ecology, biology, wildlife, environmental science, rangeland science, or related natural resources major. Field crews often work in remote areas of the INL Site with limited access, so successful candidates must be mature, responsible, self-motivated, team oriented, and able to work with minimal supervision. Interns must be comfortable working in harsh field conditions. Must be able to lift objects that weigh up to 50 pounds including a backpack and kneel/squat/stand for extended periods of time. Must be able to hike over rugged terrain. Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. Must be a US citizen.