American Conservation Experience: Native Trout Recovery and Conservation Internship
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is seeking a Native Trout Recovery and Conservation Intern to dedicate three months to assisting in various conservation and recovery actions for Apache and Gila trout. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young adults with a background in Fisheries or related environmental field and a dedicated interest in pursuing a career with the Department of Game and Fish, other land management agency, or further advancement in ACE. Start Date: September 4, 2010 End Date: November 27, 2010 A three month commitment is required. Opportunity exists to continue working with other ACE crews beyond the three month term. Location: Pinetop, AZ Compensation: $110/week living allowance. Housing is provided. Position Description: The Native Trout Intern will assist in various conservation and recovery actions for Apache and Gila trout, primarily Apache trout. Most of the work will consist of stream habitat and fish surveys using various gear types (e.g. electrofishing, habitat measurements, snorkeling), fish barrier improvements and construction, and fish stockings. The interns will assist the Regional fish biologists with field work preparation and logistics, data collection, data entry, and report preparation if warranted. The intern will work on a crew with biologists from state, federal, and tribal agencies, as well as volunteers and other interns. Project Background and Objectives: The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been recovering the state's two native trout (Apache trout and Gila trout) for many years. Apache trout streams straddle the zone separating the Colorado Plateau and Basin and Range Physiographic Provinces in the White Mountains area, east-central Arizona. They drain the White Mountains Volcanic Field and adjacent areas in the Little Colorado and Gila River basins, the latter consisting of tributaries in the White, Black, and Blue sub-basins. Apache trout became federally protected as endangered with passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973. A recovery team was formed, and in 1975 Apache trout was one of the first species to be downlisted from endangered to threatened after re-evaluation of its status. Recovery activities for Apache trout in the White Mountains of Arizona have been aggressive for several decades and we are getting closer every year to recovery of the species. The Gila trout was recently downlisted from endangered to threatened (in 2006). There is currently only one occupied Gila trout stream in Arizona, with the majority of streams located in New Mexico. You will assist in various conservation and recovery actions for Apache and Gila trout. Project Location: Field projects will be in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim including public lands on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Field conditions will mostly be high elevation streams (6000- 10,000’) and will involve hiking that entails steep climbs and descents and camping. Training Provided: Electrofishing safety and application; stream renovation and fish sampling; on-the-job training. Qualifications: Applicants for ACE’s Native Trout Internship must be 21 years of age or older, have an established interest in conservation issues and/or a background in Fisheries or similar field, and should take evident joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset. Applicants must be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather and terrain, and to participate as a team member, dedicated to ACE’s mission. Drug users, including recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing and generally abhors the presence of drug users in our program. Required Skills: Valid driver’s license; ability to drive 4WD vehicles; ability to work independently as well as in a group; backcountry experience, particularly hiking in rough terrain with heavy loads for extended periods of time mandatory; camping experience. Degree in Fisheries or related field. Experience handling, sampling, and/or tagging fish species not mandatory, but preferred; knowledge of fisheries management and ecology preferred; experience in data collection and entry preferred. Other Requirements: • Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only. • Interns must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE. Room and Board: Housing is a bunkhouse with full kitchen, bathroom with showers, and laundry facilities on the same property as the Regional Pinetop office. You are responsible to bring your own bedding/pillow/sleeping bag/towels. You will also have access to a computer, telephone, fax, and can receive mail at the Pinetop office during regular business hours (M-F, 8am-5pm). Interns usually bring a laptop with wireless connection and use local businesses with Wi-Fi for internet access. You will be responsible for buying your own food; there are grocery stores near the bunkhouse in Pinetop. During work time, state vehicles will be used and the primary drivers will be AZGFD employees. ACE will provide intern with $110/wk living allowance to cover the cost of food and incidental expenses. Camping trips (2-5 days) may be frequent. For camping, campsites are near the study locations; tents, thermarest, waders, cook gear, etc. will be provided. You will need your own rain gear, day back pack, sleeping bag, hiking boots, water bottles, bug spray and sunscreen. Many field trips will be day trips only and interns will return to the bunkhouse at night. We generally don't work weekends and the bunkhouse is where interns will stay. It is recommended that an intern has a personal vehicle, but it is not mandatory. Position available immediately and open until filled. To Apply: Please email a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references to i...@usaconservation.org with “Native Trout Internship - ECOLOG referred” in the subject heading of your email.
