The Nature Conservancy
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
JOB FAMILY:
JOB NUMBER:
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Conservation Intern – GIS /Monitoring
Conservation
950001
2
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
 HS Diploma or equivalent plus at least 1 year of higher education.
 Experience using MS Office, Word, Excel, ArcMap, and navigating the Internet. Ability to manipulate, analyze and
interpret data.
 Experience working outdoors.
 Valid class D driver’s license and clean driving record.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Intern will be part of The Nature Conservancy’s central Minnesota stewardship team. GIS data collected will be used
as part of TNC’s adaptive land management program. Data will be analyzed to determine effectiveness of past land
management efforts and for planning future efforts. Vegetative monitoring data will be analyzed to determine broad
changes in condition of native grasslands in response to grazing and other land management techniques. Data will
contribute to a coordinated effort to compare management practices across ownerships throughout the northern tallgrass
prairie region. The intern will fill a critical role in helping the chapter and the Grassland Monitoring Collaborative to close
the adaptive management loop.
The intern will be responsible for collecting GIS data in the field and for conducting rapid belt transect surveys in
coordination with TNC staff and partners. The work will be conducted on TNC owned nature preserves in central and
southeastern Minnesota. The intern will be required to travel as a team to different properties within the work area (vehicle
provided). This will require occasional overnight stay. Data management in an office setting will also be part of the job.
The intern will be responsible for managing data safely, including regular downloads to a hard drive, creating backups, etc.
This is an excellent opportunity to apply learned GIS skills in a conservation setting, and to enhance botanical skills and
experience first-hand the unique beauty and biodiversity of Minnesota prairies.
This unpaid internship is during the summer, beginning June 9, 2015, and ending Aug 7, 2015. Academic credit may be
available, pending approval.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
 HS Diploma or equivalent plus at least 1 year of higher education (preferably in biological sciences).
 Strong field botanical skills (or interest) and experience conducting field sampling preferred
 Excellent verbal and written skills in English.
 Demonstrated experience in ArcMap, MS Office, Word, Excel, and Power Point.
 Experience using Global Positioning Systems and handheld computer devices preferred
 Proven organizational skills and attention to detail. Meet deadlines.
 Demonstrated flexibility to changing situations and priorities.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Interns will spend the majority of their time outdoors, experiencing the beauty of some of the highest quality prairies
remaining in the Minnesota. However, terrain can be rugged with numerous ephemeral and semi-permanent wetlands
scattered throughout. Interns should be prepared for hiking across this terrain, and dealing with often hot and humid
conditions.
HOW TO APPLY:
 Email your cover letter and resume to: Mgraeve@tnc.org by 3/1/15.
For more information about The Nature Conservancy, please visit www.nature.org/minnesota
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer