Start/End Dates: June 16, 2025 – October 31, 2025 (20 weeks)

Mosaics in Science seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers.

Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description:
The selected intern will work in the Resource Management Division of Lassen Volcanic National Park, contributing to the implementation of the “Pikas and Plague” research project. The project’s objectives are to understand and manage the potential impacts of the invasive zoonotic disease plague (Yersinia pestis) on small mammal populations within the park.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with an ongoing mark-recapture study of small mammals at trapping plots located across an elevation range within the park.
• Gain experience in handling, tagging, and vaccinating small mammals.
• Navigate cross-country using GPS and compass.
• Collect field data and perform data entry.
• Work demanding split schedules, with shifts in the early morning and evening.
• Contribute to summary report writing, scientific posters, and educational presentations.

Interns will also be encouraged to participate in other ongoing projects within the park to gain additional experience and cross-training in resource management. These projects may include:

• California spotted owl and Northern goshawk surveys.
• Songbird banding.
• Bat monitoring.
• Wildlife camera monitoring.
• Cultural resource assessments.
• Whitebark Pine and other rare plant monitoring.
• Invasive species surveys and treatments.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in all operations of the Pika and Plague project, including fieldwork, field preparation, data entry, and report writing.

Qualifications:

• Must have completed at least three years toward a degree in wildlife biology, natural resources, resource management, or a related field.
• Interest in and ability to work in a rural, mountainous location.
• Must be physically capable of working in rugged, rocky terrain and extreme temperatures.
• Ability to work well both as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision once training is complete.
• Demonstrated skill or ability to conduct scientific field research and write summary documents based on this research.
• Proficient in computer skills, including MS Word and Excel, with strong organizational abilities.
• Understanding of safety protocols and respect for proper animal handling, tagging, and vaccination techniques.

Interns in this program will receive 800 hours toward Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. See below for more information.

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.