Ecological Monitoring Intern

This is an opportunity for an individual currently studying Environmental Science, Biology, or a similar field who are interested in participating in and supporting an extensive ArcGIS-based ecological monitoring program on a diversified working farm, primarily on pastures grazed by cattle, goats, and chickens. As an Intern, your work will help build an understanding of how decisions affect the health of the soil, water quality, plants, and biotic communities we steward.

Findings will inform creative solutions to food system issues and how our food choices can impact the land.

Working under a variety of field conditions (e.g. sun, heat, insects, rain, and dense vegetation), you will work as part of a team to collect soil and water quality samples from across the farm landscape. You will use a diverse array of tools to measure water quality characteristics at 14 stations spread across the farm and surrounding Park Preserve, and physically extract soil samples from transects and experimental plots.

This position will also include a laboratory component: processing, measuring, and analyzing the soil samples and preparing them for archiving or further analysis. While soil and water sampling will be your primary focus, all interns will be expected to work collaboratively to achieve the overall goals of the monitoring program.

This individual will gain a deep understanding of how ecological data is used in conjunction with various areas of focus on the farm through collaboration and scheduled check-ins with Stone Barns Center leaders and other interns. This cross-departmental opportunity will allow the individual to obtain valuable professional work experience, knowledge and skills.

The Ecological Monitoring Intern reports to the Senior Ecological Monitoring Coordinator and Director of Ecological Monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the analysis of Quick Carbon soil samples in the lab
• Assist team in collecting a variety of soil health samples and data across the farm environment
• Conduct laboratory soil measurements
• Assist in performing water quality tests at key sampling points in the Stone Barns watershed
• Enter data into an ArcGIS-based database system and store samples in accordance with protocols developed with the ecological monitoring team
• Assist with presentation of information to the team and stakeholders in verbal/written format
• Participate occasionally in pastured livestock activities with the Livestock team
• Other ecological monitoring projects and assignments as needed

Benefits

• Stone Barns Center will provide educational materials at no cost.

Physical demands

This is a highly physical role. While performing these job duties, the individual is regularly required to see and reach. The individual is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand for long periods of time (e.g., up to 8 hours or longer) as well as required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, kneel, and reach above shoulder level.

The individual may be exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, dampness, moving machinery, food allergens, and cleaning agents. Due to the nature of the farming industry, the individual may be required to work longer hours and varying schedules to reflect the business needs, which may include overtime, weekends, and holidays. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, so long as they do not cause undue hardship.

Preferred Skills / Knowledge

• Committed to exploring the intersection between food and farming culture
• Able to follow a research project through to the end and to integrate feedback from collaborators and organizational leaders throughout the process
• Interested in learning to use GIS and basic database software for data entry and basic analysis
• Able to work effectively in a variety of environmental conditions (heat, rain, insects, etc.)
• Pursuing studies in Environmental Science, Biology, or related field, with a preference for a strong background in soil science…