Raritan Valley Community College - North Branch, NJ
posted 3 days ago
About the position
Raritan Valley Community College is currently accepting applications for a Part-Time, Forest Ecology Intern in the Science & Engineering Department. The Forest Ecology Interns will be responsible for data collection for ongoing research on forest ecology in central and northern New Jersey. Data will be collected on the structure and composition of forest vegetation throughout the state, and comparing forests of different ages, habitat types, and landscape contexts. Research is focused on the effects of overabundant deer, invasive plant species, land use and other factors on forest conditions, and the benefits of different tools for forest restoration. Interns may also assist with installation of deer exclosures, street tree and botanical inventories, microclimate monitoring, invasive species removal and/or other related projects.
Responsibilities
- Data collection for ongoing research on forest ecology in central and northern New Jersey.
- Collect data on the structure and composition of forest vegetation throughout the state.
- Compare forests of different ages, habitat types, and landscape contexts.
- Research the effects of overabundant deer, invasive plant species, land use, and other factors on forest conditions.
- Assist with installation of deer exclosures.
- Conduct street tree and botanical inventories.
- Monitor microclimates.
- Participate in invasive species removal and other related projects.
Requirements
- Must be a current RVCC student in good academic standing or a recent graduate.
- Interest and/or experience in ecology/conservation field work.
- Physical ability to perform manual labor outdoors under varying weather conditions for 6-8 hours/day.
- Must have personal transportation and be willing to drive up to 1-2 hours to field sites, as needed.
- Plant and/or animal identification skills.
- Interpersonal communication skills (written and oral).
- Ability to work independently and in teams.
Nice-to-haves
- Ability to accurately identify plant species of the eastern U.S., preferred.
- Field research experience in forest ecology, preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically in Microsoft Excel.
