Stewardship intern
The McKenzie River Trust (Eugene, OR) is seeking applications for a temporary summer stewardship intern to join us for the 2024 field season. This is an educational internship. Enrolled students and non-traditional learners are encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions
To apply for this internship, please send the following information via email to jobs@mckenzieriver.org. Please include Stewardship Intern in the subject line. Applications are due by 5pm on Friday, April 12th.
- A resume that highlights any academic or professional experience related to the internship
- Completed copy of internship application questions (download below)
Position Title: Stewardship Intern
Location: Eugene, Oregon, and surrounding area
Duration: 10 weeks, July 1st – September 6th
Hours: 10-20 hours per week (depending on intern schedule, and business demands)
Compensation: $16.50/hour (sick time is the only benefit included for the internship position)
Position Description
The stewardship intern will work with conservation staff to support habitat restoration on McKenzie River Trust-owned properties. The intern will build skills related to conservation fieldwork practices, floodplain restoration techniques, and monitoring. They will also increase their understanding of land trust operations and be offered opportunities for educational goal-setting and community engagement. Through this position, the intern will be encouraged to explore their own educational and professional goals as they align with McKenzie River Trust’s projects and needs.
Stewardship Intern activities will include:
Land Stewardship, Restoration, and Management (85% of time)
This position is primarily field-based at several of McKenzie River Trust’s protected properties. Time will be split between properties at the approximate rates: 30% at Green Island (Coburg, OR), 30% at the Willamette Confluence Property (Eugene, OR), and 40% between Finn Rock Reach (near Blue River, OR), Waite Ranch (near Florence, OR), as well as at several other smaller properties. Tasks performed will include:
- Monitoring for invasive species
- Managing invasive plants
- Identifying and flagging non-native plant species
- Completing manual, mechanical, and chemical invasive species removal
- Learning about different control methods including manual, mechanical, cultural, biological, and chemical controls
- Maintaining and monitoring native plantings
- Clearing undergrowth
- Assisting with irrigation for native trees and shrubs
- Assisting with riparian/stream habitat assessments
- Utilizing geospatial tools
- Working with volunteers, partners, and MRT staff to accomplish group workday tasks
- Assisting with various activities to support MRT’s Living River Exploration Days that happen monthly on the second Saturday at Green Island
- Other opportunities as assigned
Capstone Project (10% of time)
- In collaboration and with support of McKenzie River Trust staff, develop and implement a project of your choosing to help further your educational goals and grow your personal resume. The project can include research, mapping, presentations, etc.
Monitoring (5% of time)
- Monitoring and reporting previous restoration planting; fee-title property monitoring
Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:
- Interest in floodplain restoration, ecology, botany, and related fields
- Interest in public access to conservation lands and other protected areas
- Ability to work independently and be self-directed
- Ability to identify and distinguish among common native and non-native plants in the field
- Comfort working in adverse weather conditions (dry, hot, inclement weather)
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Must be comfortable standing, walking, bending over, and moving through rough terrain for extended periods of time
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must have access to a reliable vehicle and be willing to drive to project sites