Sustainable Forestry Intern (Forestry Conservation)

  NorthWoods Stewardship Center

  East Charleston, Vermont, United States

The NorthWoods Stewardship Center is a non-profit conservation organization serving the communities of northern Vermont and New Hampshire since 1989. Our Education, Conservation Corps, and Forest Stewardship programs provide the knowledge and skills needed to understand the northern landscape, make use of its resources wisely, and help sustain vibrant communities and a healthier natural environment. Our Charleston, Vermont campus and 1,450 acre demonstration forest are a destination for outdoor recreation, as well as a hub for youth and adult education, sustainable land management, and ecological conservation.

The crew of three Sustainable Forestry Interns will work primarily with Forest Stewardship staff on management projects in the Lydia Spitzer Demonstration Forest at NorthWoods, as well as contract projects with other landowners in northeastern Vermont.

Focus projects during this internship will include pre-commercial thinning and low impact tractor logging, with approximately 80% of the internship time spent working in the woods with chainsaws and other equipment. Other projects (approximately 20% of the internship) will include trailwork, forest inventories, management planning, tree planting, NorthWoods education/outreach events, GIS/GPS mapping, invasive plant control, trainings/conferences, and visits with other forestry/forest products organizations. Emphasis will be placed on gaining knowledge and understanding during our “boots-on-the-ground” projects, with reading and discussions about silviculture, management goals/decisions, and forest dynamics. Current forest health priorities such as climate change resilience and invasive species pressure will be addressed.

Qualified applicants should have basic knowledge of ecology and/or forestry, ability to identify local tree species, and chainsaw training (Game of Logging, US Forest Service or equivalent; if you do not have one of these certifications, training will be available during the first weekend of the internship). Preferred qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in forestry or environmental science, GPS/GIS mapping, Wilderness First Aid/First Responder training, and/or forest management experience.

This position is very physically demanding and requires extensive outdoor work in varied weather. Applicants must be comfortable with this work environment and able to navigate in the woods with a map/compass and GPS unit. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, physical fitness, and interest in forest ecology, management and education are essential!

The Forestry Intern will gain experience in conservation and forestry, relevant to many future careers. We are committed to making this a valuable experience and will work with enthusiastic, qualified applicants to create an internship that fits your skills and interests.

Employment Period: September 5, 2018 – December 20, 2018 (14 work weeks, week off for Thanksgiving holiday). 40 hrs/week. Occasional weekend days and/or overnight trips may be required.

Compensation

Compensation: $12/hr. Discounted housing may be available- inquire for details. Free/discounted participation in NorthWoods events and free equipment rentals (canoes, camping gear, woodshop, etc.)

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