The French Broad Riverkeeper was founded in 2001, and serves as the primary protector and defender of the French Broad River watershed in Western North Carolina.
The Riverkeeper works for healthy and safe waterways in the French Broad River watershed by partnering with citizens and communities to identify pollution sources, enforce environmental laws, advocate for stronger environmental laws, engage in restoration, build recreation options, and educate and empower the public.
The French Broad Riverkeeper is a program of MountainTrue, a conservation non-profit that champions clean water, resilient forests and healthy communities.
The French Broad River Paddle Trail℠ is a series of campsites and access points that now connects more than 140 miles of French Broad River.
MountainTrue (formerly WNCA) built six new campsites and opened the paddle trail in the summer of 2012. These campsites are all located on private land maintained by MountainTrue and our partners. The French Broad River Paddle Trail℠ is proudly sponsored by Oskar Blues Brewery. Learn more at www.frenchbroadpaddle.com.
INTERNSHIP DETAILS
LOCATION: Asheville downtown office, with travel throughout the French Broad River Watershed
DURATION: 16 weeks, mid May-mid September. Flexible schedule and hours working 1-4 days a week with some weekend work required. (Specific work hours will be laid out at the beginning of the internship.)
COMPENSATION: $2,500 stipend with academic credit possible
TRANSPORTATION: Will need reliable transportation to and from the Asheville Office and throughout the French Broad River Watershed.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The French Broad River Paddle Trail intern will work with the French Broad Riverkeeper to maintain and patrol all aspects of the French Broad River Paddle Trail. This will include visiting each site on a regular basis, checking and working on maintenance issues at the sites, patrolling the river to monitor for problems, updating the paddle trail website and mobile app, working with the public on paddle trail reservation, and helping with paddle trail trips. The position will also include trip guiding including being a guide a on our 2015 five-day paddle trip on May 30‐ June 3 and July 12‐15, as well as weekend guided day trips. Visitor surveys will also be conducted.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Good paddling skills
- Ability to work outdoors in all conditions
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Able to operate power tools and perform landscape maintenance
- Good social media skills preferred
- Ability to manage time effectively
- Ability to work on many projects at once and maintain attention to details
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently
TRANSPORTATION: Will need reliable transportation to and from the Asheville office and throughout the French Broad watershed. Having a trailer hitch and the ability to drive a manual transmission vehicle are also a big plus!
HOW TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter and resume BY APRIL 20, 2015 to:
Hartwell Carson, French Broad Riverkeeper
c/o MountainTrue
29 N. Market St., Suite 610
Asheville, NC, 28801