Internship - Windom Wetland Invasive Species STRIKE Team

Position Summary

SCA members will serve as a member of the Windom Wetland Management District invasive species strike team, with a focus on mapping and treating invasive plant species.

The positions will be headquartered out of the Windom WMD office, with work being completed on National Wildlife Refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas within the Windom and Iowa WMDs. Interns will learn how to identify invasive plant species and how to safely apply herbicides, as well as assist District staff with other fieldwork. Interns will have the opportunity to assist with environmental education programs, complete wildlife surveys and grassland inventories, and also assist with maintenance projects. There will be opportunity to job shadow and work alongside permanent USFWS staff including land managers, biologists, maintenance, and realty staff.

Schedule

May 12, 2025 - August 15, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Treatment of invasive species through herbicide and mechanical methods (50%);
• Collect and manage invasive treatment data (10%);
• Utilize GIS/GPS applications and mapping (20%);
• Assist with other maintenance on refuges lands (20%).

Marginal Duties

• Assist with environmental education programs;
• Complete wildlife surveys such as breeding waterfowl counts;
• Complete grassland inventories.

Required Qualifications

• Personal vehicle required to commute to work;
• Valid driver's license;
• Members will be required to take Commercial Pesticide Application Course after starting position and must be comfortable applying herbicide
• This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience applying pesticides;
• Prior experience using ATV/UTVs;
• Prior experience operating pickups and trailers;
• Using mapping applications such as Field Maps and Survey123

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Please note that housing is not provided for this position.

Compensation

• $600/week* Living Allowance;
• $1,100* round-trip Travel Allowance, paid once

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Personal vehicle is required

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.