Pollinator Conservation and Outreach Internship

Project Title: Pollinator Conservation and Outreach Internship

Project Type: In-person

Duration: 16 weeks (4 months) start date flexible 

Location: Minneapolis – St. Paul Metro, Minnesota, Minnesota 

Project Background:

The intern will participate in a 4 month pollinator conservation and outreach internship for endangered and threated butterflies and bumble bees in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Ecological Services Field Office of the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Bloomington, Minnesota. The intern will conduct pollinator surveys for federally listed species, including but not limited to Dakota skipper, Rusty patched bumble bee, and Karner blue butterfly. They will also help design and facilitate outreach and public engagement programs that foster cultural connection and awareness of pollinators in diverse communities across the Twin Cities area. The intern will learn about the USFWS Standards of Excellence for community engagement and be encouraged to use these eight tenets as a foundation for public engagement programs.

The intern will primarily focus on supporting Dakota skipper conservation and recovery during the flight season of the species. There is also opportunity to meet and work with other partners across Minnesota and North Dakota to learn about captive rearing, release, and reintroductions of Dakota skippers. Public engagement and outreach around butterfly conservation will also be central to the internship. No experience in outreach is necessary, but ideally the intern would have interest in engaging in training and learning opportunities to acquire the skills to develop programs that connect communities with the world of butterfly conservation.

This a perfect opportunity for someone interested in developing field skills, getting first-hand experience with federally listed species, and learning how the Endangered Species Act of 1973 is implemented in Ecological Services and across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While the intern will work out of the Twin Cities office, there is opportunity to visit our other Field Offices in Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin to learn about other programs in Ecological Services, such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) cases, and the Coastal Program.

Project Duties:

The intern will work on the following major projects:

• Conduct habitat and presence-absence surveys for Dakota skipper and rusty patched bumble bee and help analyze data (35%).
• Develop and facilitate public engagement and outreach programs and other educational events for diverse communities (30%)
• Help identify and develop new community partnerships, especially with historically marginalized communities (10%)
• Potential for collaboration with the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge staff on certain outreach events (10%).
• Attend weekly staff meetings and participate in other office-wide trainings (5%)
• There is an opportunity for the intern to develop an independent or capstone project if they are interested. Therefore, these breakdown percentages are flexible and can be adjusted if needed.

Additionally, fellows will work and communicate with a Hispanic Access Program Associate during their fellowship. Fellows will be expected to participate in scheduled conference calls, webinars, and meetings conducted throughout their term. Fellows will capture photos and/or videos for reporting purposes and submit 3-5 blog posts highlighting their experience and development.

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent teamwork skills
• Rising college juniors and seniors by summer 2024 or recent college graduates
• Working proficiency in a second language in addition to English
• Strong communication skills
• Experience and comfortable working outdoors in areas with tall grasses and insects
• Interest in public service

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ages 18 to 30; up to 35 for veterans
• Completion of at least two college courses in biology, environmental science, ecology, or related science
• Interest in conservation, natural resources/the outdoors
• US citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.

Working Conditions:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a bustling Field Office with a supportive, welcoming culture. Our team works in unique landscapes with diverse partners to conserve and protect endangered species and their habitats and support landscape-scale habitat restoration in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our staff is divided among three offices located in Bloomington, Minnesota, Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. Our responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 include conserving declining species before listing is necessary; listing species under the ESA; working to recover those species that have been listed; and cooperating with other Federal agencies and partners to conserve endangered species. Through early communication and coordination, we work to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats by providing technical assistance on a variety of projects including construction activities, energy development (transmission lines, hydro and wind power), transportation and urban development. Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) cases, the Coastal Program, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provide opportunities to build partnerships, restore and protect habitat, and recover degraded areas of the Great Lakes.

Stipend + Benefits:

• A biweekly stipend: $1,200 based on a 40-hour workweek
• $1,300/month housing stipend
• Travel reimbursement up to $1,000 to defray cost of relocation travel to and from duty station
• $100/month commuting stipend
• Health insurance coverage during duration of internship
• Travel expenses paid to participate in Hispanic Access Cohort Conference (date tbd)
• Up to $1,800 in funds available to support professional development opportunities that align with role and goals (training, conference, etc.)
• The intern needs to complete at least one defined project, serving a minimum of 640 hrs in order to be eligible for Public Land Corp hiring certificate. Additionally, they have to be between the age of 16 and 30, unless they are a veteran (can be up to 35). PLC status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for certain federal positions.

Application:
Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is managing the recruitment for these positions. All applications should be submitted through Hispanic Access' MANO Project application page. A resume and two references will be required for submission. Your application or resume should include professional and educational experience, along with any awards, technical skills or volunteer activities. Application questions or issues may be directed to Anastasia Elvira Hernandez, anastasia@hispanicaccess.org.

Applications for this position are due on Sunday, April 28, 2024 11:59 pm. 

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement:
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process should contact Hispanic Access Foundation directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission:

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

The Minneapolis -St. Paul region is home to more than 3.5 million people. Living in the Twin Cities you can enjoy outdoor recreation, music and art, watching professional sports or participating in local sports leagues 365 days of the year. The Twin Cities is also perfect for those that enjoy getting around by bike or taking a walk, with over 75 miles of pedestrian, bike, and skate trails just in Minneapolis alone. A light rail also connects major parts of the cities, such as the airport, Mall of America, and runs through both downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Hispanic Access Foundation Mission:
Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos and People of Color to partners and opportunities improving lives and creating an equitable society. Hispanic Access’s vision is that all Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America.