The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking applications for our River Steward of Tomorrow Watershed Conservation Internship position, available for summer 2019. Based in HVA’s Stockbridge, Massachusetts’ office, the River Steward will work on a variety of projects related to water resource management and protection. The River Steward position lasts a minimum of 8 weeks from June – August (approximately 35 hours/week).
Internship Overview:
Work will include a mix of office and field-based activities. (approximately 75% field-based and 25% office-based). The intern will work with staff and volunteers on the following and potentially other projects
- Road-Stream Crossing Assessments in the Berkshires: River Steward will visit and assess bridges and culverts (using the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative protocol) throughout towns in the Massachusetts portion of the watershed to identify barriers to fish and wildlife passage, and assist with post-assessment data management and processing.
- Stream Reach Assessments: The River Steward will assist HVA staff in the field to conduct visual surveys (“streamwalks”) along important stream reaches to document threats and identify restoration opportunities. River Steward will assist in post-assessment data management and processing.
- Environmental Monitoring: The River Steward will conduct water quality monitoring and habitat assessment activities including collecting water samples for chemical analysis and bacteria-source tracking.
- Restoration project monitoring and maintenance: The River Steward will assist with riparian and aquatic restoration projects and conduct maintenance activities such as invasive species removal, rain garden maintenance and assist with a riparian planting project in Great Barrington.
- Assist with public events including paddle trips, river cleanups and outreach events on an as needed basis.
Qualifications:
Candidates must be detail-oriented, highly-motivated, passionate about watershed conservation, and able to succeed both independently and as part of a team. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess:
- Enthusiasm for outdoor field work, including working under potentially inclement environmental conditions (hot, rainy, etc.);
- Willingness to work occasional weekends
- Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to approach and conduct outreach to strangers, and the ability to represent HVA in a professional manner;
- Strong organization and data management skills;
- Experience using GPS and GIS is helpful, but not essential.
Requirements:
Daily access to a reliable personal vehicle is a requirement of the position (HVA does not have a field vehicle, so all field work will be done in personal cars with mileage reimbursements.) The intern must also be physically able to participate in potentially strenuous field work (i.e., physically active work outside for several hours at a time during the heat of the summer).
Compensation:
The intern will receive a $2,400 stipend for the course of the internship.
Housing & Travel:
Work related travel is compensated at a rate of $0.48/mile. Housing is not provided. Successful applicants will be responsible for locating housing. We will assist as much as we are able.
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials via email:
- COVER LETTER explaining your interest and qualifications
- RESUME
- TWO (2) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
- Optional but encouraged – Examples of past projects relevant to HVA’s mission (please limit to 1 page, max of three projects)
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Deadline:
Applications to be received by March 15, 2019.
Direct questions and applications to:
Dennis Regan, Berkshire Director
Housatonic Valley Association
14 Main Street, Stockbridge MA 01262
E-mail: dregan@hvatoday.org
Phone: (413) 298-7024
