Oregon PSM

Opening Date: Monday, February 20, 2012
Closing Date: Friday, March 9, 2012 4:00 PM
Starting Date: Around Monday, March 26, 2012
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is a state-designated special district formed to conserve and protect soil and water resources for people, wildlife and the environment. The district is governed by a seven-member elected board of directors. The District encompasses all of Multnomah County west of the Willamette River and includes all of Sauvie Island.
SPRING INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
General Summary
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is hiring one limited-duration, at will, non-exempt, parttime Field Intern for the spring of 2012 (approximately April – mid June). This job is designed to fill a need for technical field assistance and data collection and exists to provide assistance to District staff in the areas of water quality, invasives species, habitat restoration, forestry and agricultural land uses. There will be a split of around half for office and field work. Most office work will involve mapping with ArcGIS with some technical writing and office communication. Candidates should have a good understanding of GIS and be able to create shapefiles and produce maps. The person filling the position should also possess knowledge/experience in the following areas:
- Native and invasive plant identification
- Field work & basic surveying
- Public speaking
- Report & article writing
- Project management
- Ability to use personal vehicle and clean driving record
The Intern must have the ability to work independently and as a part of a team; and be able to communicate with project leaders.

Job Duration
Some flexibility will be allowed for starting and ending dates to accommodate school schedules. There may be the opportunity to continue the internship into the summer.

Essential Functions of the Job

Proficiency using GIS software.

Understands, interprets, and uses various maps, aerial photography and soils information.

Identify both native and invasive plant species.

Conducts field survey of existing land use activities

Assists with surveying projects and field inventories

Communicates with federal, state, and local agency personnel involved in similar work to
coordinate work and avoid duplication.

Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with co-workers and conducts work responsibilities in
a professional manner.
Other Duties and Responsibilities

Meets regularly with Internship Program Supervisor.

Participates in office meetings with District board members, District employees, and other agency
employees to coordinate work and prioritize where technical assistance will be provided.

Conducts outreach on natural resource issues, water quality, and conservation, at workshops,
seminars, fairs, shows and conventions or assists the District Board and/or staff in these activities.

Communicates and works directly with property owners and operators through face-to-face
contact, the telephone, written correspondence, or e-mail.

Performs other duties as assigned by the District Board.

Qualifications

A student working toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with the major course work in natural
sciences, natural resource management, soils, water quality, agriculture sciences, or a related
natural sciences discipline is preferred.

Experience in collecting field data and maintaining field notes is required.

Good oral and written communication skills are required.

The ability to use a personal computer for information entry and retrieval, correspondence,
developing data spreadsheets and graphs, mapping, and conservation practice design is required.

Must be proficient with Microsoft Suite.
Job Conditions

This position works both in the field and in the office.

The fieldwork will include working in and around such locations as farms and ranches; rivers,
streams, and ponds; properties with dense vegetation or woodlands; and other areas with steep,
slippery, muddy, rocky, or other hazardous terrain.

The office work may include working at a desk; using a computer; or working or standing at a table.

This position requires travel to field sites, workshops, training sessions, plus daytime and evening
meetings outside the office. Occasional overnight travel may be involved. In order to carry out
these assigned duties, a valid Oregon driver’s license is required. Although the District has some
vehicles, occasional use of the intern’s own vehicle may be necessary (available reimbursement is
based on State mileage rate).

Some physical exertion may be required during field work such as walking, and using technical or
power equipment and hand tools.
Compensation
Stipend paid twice a month based on hours worked, amount commensurate to experience and
education. Expenses incurred for required job functions, including mileage, will be reimbursable.
Costs associated with trainings that are related to the position may be covered with pre-approval of District Manager.

To Apply
Send a ONE page cover letter and a resume no longer than TWO pages to scott@wmswcd.org or to
West Multnomah SWCD
Attn: Scott Gall
2701 NW Vaughn Street, Suite 450
Portland, OR 97210.
For questions call Scott Gall @ 503-238-4775 x 105 or send to email above.