French Broad River Paddle Trail Internship (Asheville Office) – Summer 2021
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 over 140 miles of the French Broad River. MountainTrue 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.
LOCATION: Asheville Downtown Office with travel throughout the French Broad River Watershed
DURATION: May- September. Flexible schedule and hours working 2-4 days a week with some weekend work required (specific work hours will be laid out at the beginning of the internship).
COMPENSATION: $5,000 stipend with academic credit possible
FOR MORE INFORMATION: frenchbroadpaddle.com
DESCRIPTION OF INTERN 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 including mowing, weed eating, cleaning compost toilets, shoveling access steps, fixing broken tables, etc. Work will also include patrolling the river to monitor for problems, updating the paddle trail website and mobile app, working with the public on paddle trail reservations, and helping with paddle trail trips.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to work outdoors in all conditions
- Good 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
- Paddling skills preferred, but not necessary
TRANSPORTATION: Will need reliable transportation to our truck and equipment, but can use the MountainTrue truck for most of the work that is needed.
TO APPLY: Send a statement of interest and resume to Hartwell Carson at hartwell@mountaintrue.org. Deadline to apply is May 10.
Water Quality Intern (Asheville Office) – Summer 2021
MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper are currently seeking an intern to help with monitoring for E.coli and microplastics in our local waterways. Bacteria is one of the biggest pollutants within the French Broad River basin. We have two monitoring programs aimed at tracking its sources. Our intent with these programs is twofold— 1). to alert the public of high E. coli levels to ensure safe water for safe recreation, and 2) pinpointing sewer/septic leaks and agricultural runoff problems in order to get them fixed. Microplastics are an emerging issue we are tackling. Not many studies have been done on microplastics on freshwater systems, especially on headwater watersheds. It is our goal to begin quantifying this pollution.
Ideally, this intern would help facilitate both programs, 2 days per week. It’s a paid position, and the experience is a particularly excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to demonstrate skills in science, leadership and project management with measurable outcomes. The ratio of inside to outside time is about 50:50.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The position involves coordinating sampling volunteers, performing lab and field work, managing data, conducting research, and distributing results to the public. The ideal candidate will possess charisma and leadership skills, and an above-average attention to detail. No prior knowledge or experience in water quality monitoring is necessary; training will be provided. Special attention will be given to individuals who historically have been underrepresented in the environmental field. It is a paid internship, working two days a week.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Strong attention to detail and organization
- Ability to adhere to strict, but simple, Quality Control measures
- Ability to lift and carry cooler full of ice, bend over to collect sample up to 30 times per day, and maintain a steady hand in the lab
- Familiarity with Excel and ability to keep accurate records
- Ability to teach others
- Willingness to drive your own car up to collect samples (mileage is reimbursed at a rate of approximately $0.43/mile)
- Commitment to the goal of improving water quality through citizen science
- Experience with communication around environmental issues preferred
- Must be able to work 2 days a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays, running from approximately May 26 – September 2, 2021 (end date is negotiable).
- This internship is a paid position and compensation will be discussed in the interview process.
TO APPLY:
Email a statement of interest and a resume to Anna Alsobrook at anna@mountaintrue.org. Deadline to apply is May 10.
Water Quality Intern (Boone Office)
The Water Quality Intern is responsible for aiding the High Country Water Quality Administrator (HCWQA) with managing multiple water quality monitoring programs. This position would require interactions with volunteers on many levels (recruiting, training, organizing). This position requires attention to detail and learning how to apply hard science skills to the needs of the community.
This internship will run from May to August.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Assist making maps (using GIS if applicable),
- Attend training on lab equipment used for analyzing water samples,
- Research state and federal water quality regulations
- Collaborate with community partners to conduct public education events
- Support event planning and attend events like live staking and river snorkeling,
- Support the HCWQA with various other projects and tasks.
Qualifications:
- Related education background preferred: environmental sciences/studies, natural resource management, sustainability/technology, geography and planning, etc.
- Experience working with or managing volunteers of various demographics
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with Microsoft Office, Google suite, Facebook, and GIS
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
General Requirements/Information:
- Need to provide own transportation (personal vehicle preferred)
- Ability to meet physical demands of paddling, hiking and outdoor work (must be able to swim)
- Most of the internship will be teleservice, but will require in person meetings for training and sampling
To apply, submit resume and cover letter to Andy Hill at andy@mountaintrue.org
Community Outreach and Water Quality Intern – Summer 2021
We are hiring an intern for the summer of 2021 who will participate in the 8-week Non Profit Internship Program (NPIP) sponsored by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. To learn more about this program, click here. This position will be split evenly between supporting general community outreach efforts and helping our French Broad Riverkeeper team. For the water quality portion of the position, this intern will help facilitate our summer water quality programs, both aimed at tracking sources of bacteria pollution in the river. Our intent with these programs is twofold— 1). to alert the public of high E. coli levels to ensure safe water for safe recreation, and 2) pinpointing sewer/septic leaks and agricultural runoff problems in order to get them fixed. This position will be coordinating water sampling volunteers, taking water samples, performing lab and field work, managing data, conducting research, and distributing and disseminating results to the public.
When not working with our water quality team, this position will support our Community Engagement Director with outreach events, educational programs and/or advocacy campaigns. This work could include promoting events on social media, helping coordinate volunteer work days, preparing materials for educational displays, managing information in our advocacy database, and other tasks that help us communicate with the public about the environmental threats our region faces and our plans to respond to those threats.
We are looking for someone:
- with a positive attitude,
- who is comfortable with a changing schedule as needed per weather and other factors.
- attention to detail,
- eager to learn,
- skilled in communications,
- ideally with experience writing press releases or other written pieces for the public to read,
- ideally some background in water quality monitoring, but not required.
Eligible students must be:
- A rising sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled full-time in a four-year North Carolina college or university; OR
- A rising sophomore, junior or senior North Carolina resident enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college outside the state; AND
- Pell grant-eligible in the academic year in which they apply for NPIP. As a part of the application process, students will be asked to upload their Student Aid Report verifying their Pell grant eligibility. Students can access this document through their FAFSA login. Click here for further directions. Students ineligible for a Pell grant due to documentation issues or criminal conviction may be eligible and should contact Maya Reynolds at mayar@zsr.org
Students of color are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline is February 22, 2021. A $3,200 stipend will be provided. Click HERE to submit an application and select MountainTrue from the list of participating non profit organizations. If you have questions about the position, please contact Susan Bean at susan@mountaintrue.org.
