Wetland Ecology and Monitoring Techniques with the Washington State Department of Transportation
Twelve to sixteen internship positions are available through The Evergreen State College for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Olympia, WA.
Contact: Tony Bush, Field Coordinator, Wetland Monitoring busht@wsdot.wa.gov
Internship Title: Wetland Ecology and Monitoring Techniques
Position Title: Wetland Biologist Intern
Faculty Sponsor: Paul Butler, Ph.D., Member of The Evergreen State College Faculty
Description of Internship: Students enrolled in this internship program gain hands-on field and laboratory experience as they collect and analyze environmental data gathered from WSDOT wetland mitigation sites. During the eleven-week course, students will use quantitative and qualitative monitoring methods while conducting surveys of vegetation, soils, hydrology, and wildlife. Approximately 80% of the field activities will focus on vegetation sampling and plant identification. Students will use statistical methods to evaluate data collected.
Weekly Schedule: Though there will be some variation in the weekly work schedule, most weeks will include three field days (7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.) and one lab day (8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.). Fieldwork will be conducted on WSDOT wetland mitigation sites. Plant identification laboratory sessions will be conducted on The Evergreen State College campus.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the summer school of The Evergreen State College, and payment of appropriate tuition.
For undergraduate credit, students must enroll for a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 16 undergraduate credits.
For graduate credit, students must enroll for 4 graduate credits.
Candidate Selection: Students from a broad variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply, however, we are particularly interested in those students with the following skills and academic preparation:
- A degree in (or near completion) the natural, environmental, or biological sciences
- Experience in the use of a technical plant key
- Coursework in wetlands ecology, botany, and/or statistics
- Plant and wildlife identification skills
Candidates must make a commitment to participate in both field (10 hour days) and lab (8 hour days) activities Monday through Thursday for the duration of the internship (June 23 - September 4). Fieldwork will be conducted rain or shine. |
Internship duration: June 23 - September 4, 2008
Days/hours: Monday through Thursday, approximately 8-10 hours per day, 38 hrs/wk
Compensation: $3000.00 stipend
To Apply: Complete internship application (doc 20 kb) - typewritten or computer generated. Please also include a resume and references.
Applications are preferred via e-mail (or a hard copy may be sent) to:
Tony Bush
WSDOT, Environmental Services
PO Box 47332
Olympia, WA 98504-7332
busht@wsdot.wa.gov
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: April 14, 2008
Interviews will be conducted at The Evergreen State College from April 21 through April 23. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications by April 29. Those selected for the internship must attend a mandatory orientation session on May 14, 3:00–5:00 P.M. at The Evergreen State College (TESC). Internship contract forms will be completed at this time.
Required texts and equipment (available at TESC Bookstore):
- Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock and Cronquist)
- How to Identify Plants (Harrington and Durrell)
- How to Identify Grasses and Grasslike Plants (Harrington)
- Plant-dissecting kit: 2 probes, tweezers, razor knife (scalpel), 10X hand lens, and a 15cm ruler (metric)
- Calculator with basic statistical functions (recommended)
Other gear and equipment needs: Students are expected to be equipped with the following, but may wish to borrow this equipment from a friend or from lab stores at TESC, instead of making an additional purchase.
- Hip waders or knee boots
- Binoculars and a bird guide (National Geographic recommended)
- Appropriate foul weather gear
- Folding pocket knife or a knife with cover for plant collection
Evaluations: Evaluations will be based on the student’s participation, attendance, and performance in field and laboratory activities.