Start Date: 11/6/2025
End Date: 10/31/2026
Schedule: Monday - Thursday with occassional weekend work
Stipend: $520/Weekly
Application Deadline: September 19, 2025

Position Description:

Within the GGNRA’s 80,000 acres, the Marin Vegetation Team’s jurisdiction stretches from Stinson Beach to the Golden Gate Bridge, with focus areas in Redwood Creek, the five-mile waterway that stretches from the old-growth redwoods of Muir Woods to the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach; Tennessee Valley’s coastal prairies and creek corridors; and Rodeo and Gerbode Valleys grasslands and herbaceous wetlands. The Marin Vegetation team is part of “One Tam”, a partnership of state and local agencies working together to support healthy and resilient ecosystems.

The Marin Vegetation intern will work both independently and as part of a team to steward a variety of plant communities including redwood forest, riparian woodland, and coastal prairie. Work will primarily involve invasive species management and installation of native plants. This opportunity will include the chance to lead volunteers and to shadow non-vegetation teams that work in our watershed, including hydrology and wildlife species monitoring. 

Primary duties include:  

• Invasive plant management using a variety of treatment techniques (approx. 75% of field time) 
• Native plant revegetation, seed collection, and direct seeding 
• Mapping vegetation communities using Calflora’s Weed Manager platform and ESRI’s ArcGIS toolset 
• Leading volunteers in invasive plant management and native plant revegetation, and collecting data on volunteer program participation/work performed
• Implementing process-based restoration techniques (gully stuffing, beaver dam analog construction) 
•  Additional support projects may include:  Monitoring of plant communities, rare/endangered plant and animal species, and restoration sites; installing erosion control materials; serving as a biological monitor during construction projects; site interpretation and science communication; data management and analysis in Excel and ArcGIS; maintaining vehicles and field equipment. 
• The intern will have the opportunity to acquire their Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) through the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation as well as other technical certifications such as First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid, or chainsaw sawyer training

Work products: Key deliverables of the internship

• Vegetation management - Conduct invasive plant control work in rugged conditions with hand tools, power tools, and herbicide if qualified; plant native species and assisting in seed collection.
• Volunteer management – Concurrent with staff mentoring, plan & lead volunteer workdays. This includes site orientation and instruction on plant identification, management techniques, and field safety.
• Program support - Tool cleaning and maintenance; coordinating schedules and events; attending relevant meetings and trainings regularly.
• Data entry – Entering data associated with restoration monitoring, invasive species removal, and volunteer participation into park databases.
• Independent research project – Depending on program needs and intern’s interests.

Qualifications

Required:

• A love of nature and physically strenuous outdoor work, with an interest in resource management, ecological restoration, and endangered species stewardship.
• Aptitude for working outdoors in varying climates, on steep slopes, and ability to carry up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to work well in a team while balancing individual responsibilities.
• Experience working with or leading groups and the ability to supervise, train and inspire others.
• Ability to use basic computer programs (Microsoft Office and mobile devices, GPS/GIS experience not required, but a plus)
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds

Desired:

• Education and/or experience in the environmental sciences such as biology, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife biology, forestry, botany, and geography, or a similar program will also be considered.
• CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid training or willingness to be trained.
• Experience using ArcGIS software platforms- both desktop and AGOL.

Vehicle/Driver's License Requirements

Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

Physical/Natural Environment:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the largest urban parks in the world. The recreation area stretches across three counties in California’s San Francisco Bay Area: Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo. In total, the legislative boundary of the park is comprised of more than 80,000 acres of land and ocean waters, with 18,500 acres directly managed by GOGA.

The park is part of the California floristic province which is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. It is also home to many different habitat types and a large diversity of plant and animal species. Many rare species are found within Golden Gate National Recreation Area including 37 federally threatened or endangered species 

including the mission blue butterfly, northern spotted owl, and California red-legged frog. Golden Gate National Recreation Area also preserves 91 miles of shoreline along the outer coast and in Tomales and San Francisco Bays, and includes the nearshore waters within ¼ mile of the coast.

Weather is Mediterranean and ranges from dry summers (with frequent fog at coastal sites) to wet and cold in the winter. The dorm and field office are located within the Park.  There are no stores or other conveniences within the Park but are located nearby in the town of Sausalito and City of San Francisco.

Work Environment: Roughly 80% of the position will be field-based in conditions ranging from highly developed areas with many park visitors to remote, off trail sites in rugged terrain. Temps range from 45 to 85 degrees F, and some work will occur during winter rain events. Field sites have poison oak and ticks. Rigorous physical work is expected. Winds can often be strong in the summer months in the Marin Headlands. Interns will NOT be required to operate chainsaws, but must be comfortable working around others using power tools such as chainsaws and brushcutters, and may receive training in their operation if desired. Proper training in operational leadership, safe work practices, and the use of personal protective equipment will be provided.

Mentoring: The Marin Veg intern will work closely on a day-to-day basis with various team members of the vegetation and wildlife teams for at least 4 days a week for the duration for the internship.  We will pre-schedule meetings early in the internship: initially, to try to determine key areas where the intern has an interest in gaining experience; and then to have regular check-ins on how the internship is going.

Learning Goals:

Under direct supervision, the intern will receive extensive training in the identification and surveying of local flora and fauna, as well as general habitat restoration practices such as invasive plant mapping, management and revegetation of native plant communities through planting and direct seeding.  There will be workshops for skill development in botany, resume building, GIS, bird ID, etc. such that, upon completion of their internships, interns will be qualified to apply for federal jobs in the GS-5/-6 Biological Science Technician series. The GGNRA emphasizes mentorship and leadership skill building, so the intern will be encouraged to take a lead on one or more projects and work within a larger team of park staff or contractors. There will be ample opportunities to work alongside other NPS colleagues in fields related to aquatic ecology, coastal processes, hydrology, terrestrial wildlife, etc.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination of any kind. This policy applies to all aspects of employment.