Position Description: Preserve Management Intern

This seasonal ten (10) week position of Preserve Management Intern is ideal for a physically fit, self-starter with a strong work ethic, solid interpersonal skills and a bachelor’s degree (or current student) in parks, tourism and recreation management, natural resource or ecological sciences, or a related field who desires practical experience in land and natural resource management. This position requires the ability to perform physical labor on a regular basis. The ability to safely operate power equipment along with strong interpersonal skills, initiative, work ethic, as well as the knowledge and physical ability to effectively and safely solve problems in the field is mandatory. Assisting with project management, ecological restoration, maintaining property aesthetic, engagement of the visiting public and volunteers are core tasks.

The standard workday is 8AM-4:30PM with a half hour for lunch, 4 days/week. Flexing time will be required throughout the work week at the direction of the Program Manager to accommodate weather conditions, prepare for activities on the Preserve, or as may be required. This position reports directly to the Program Manager at NALT headquarters in Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  The position is based on approximately 320hrs/season; workdays per week and length of internship can be flexible and adjusted accordingly.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist the Program Manager and additional NALT stewardship staff
• Maintain aesthetics and safe public access to several (NALT) preserves.
• Assist with ongoing stewardship activities of NALT managed and conserved properties.
• Properly operate, maintain, and store all equipment and Trust property including tools and motor vehicles.
• Support planning and implementation of various programs held on preserve properties.
• Present a knowledgeable and positive manor to visitors as a representative of the organization and advocate for our conservation goals.

Requirements:

• Actively pursuing degree in parks, tourism and recreation management, education, history, or natural resource/ecological sciences related field.
• Superior work ethic, initiative, and stamina executing manual labor.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Dependability, flexibility, and ability to proactively identify and implement ways to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of field operations, programs, and events.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a value-added member of a team.
• Demonstrate attitude and ability to work harmoniously and productively with staff, and committees, representing the Trust in an ethical and professional manner.
• Experience operating power equipment a plus.
• Experience implementing educational/interpretive programming a plus.
• Experience with volunteer or community group projects a plus.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and an insured motor vehicle.
• A love of nature, history, culture and passion for conservation!

Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions:

• Position requires hiking hills and walking uneven terrain in addition to reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling items up to 50 pounds.
• Bending, walking, hiking, reaching.
• Physical and mental strength for consistently productive consecutive days of field work for the work week is required.
• Work conditions are outdoors and inherently unpredictable.
• Engaging with the public visitors and landowners in a professional manner.
• The position requires reporting mainly to Brinton Run Preserve, located at 6 Oakland Rd, Chadds Ford, PA, but will require working at several of NALTs preserve locations. Potential for maintaining a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends for scheduled events, programs and committees.

Period of Employment/Compensation:

Seasonal 32-hour weeks for 10 weeks, although hours and day per week can be flexible.  There is also some flexibility on exact timing, but in general the position is created to meet NALT’s needs between mid-May to early August. The workday begins at 8:00am, with a half-hour lunch, ending at 4:30pm. This position will require flexing time as may be needed to complete site preparations for events, to accommodate weather variability, and meet the needs of the Program Manager within the work week. Compensation is $17.00 per hour.