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 p