PA Game Commission – Northwest Region 2023 Summer Internships

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Agency

Pennsylvania Game Commission - Northwest Region

Location

Multiple - NW Region of PA

Job Category

Internships

Salary

$15.88/hour for 40 hours/week

Start Date

05/17/2023

Last Date to Apply

02/17/2023

Website

https://www.pgc.pa.gov/InformationResources/CareersandVolunteers/Pages/Internships.aspx

Description

Are you excited to begin a career in conservation but lack field training and experience? Do you want your first steps to contribute to the management and protection of wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping? If so, your goals align with the mission of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our summer internship program is designed for you! Pennsylvania’s wildlife agency seeks hard-working, highly motivated students eager to develop their conservation knowledge and skills while experiencing all the agency has to offer. Available Opportunities and Learning Objectives: Internship opportunities are available within four disciplines – forestry, habitat management, information & education, and wildlife biology. Descriptions of each are provided below. We encourage you to apply to one or more opportunities depending on your interests. If awarded an internship, you will focus primarily on the designated subject area; however, exposure to and collaboration across disciplines will occur frequently and is considered an important part of the experience. Forestry Internship (2 positions) Work location(s): NW Region (Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties) The focus on habitat separates this internship from other introductions to forestry. Our forest management decisions impact wildlife as they shape the stage, quality, and quantity of forested habitat. Interns will report to and work daily with professional foresters. These foresters will provide a comprehensive look at forest management, how decisions are made, and what steps are involved. Interns will hone skills in tree, shrub, and plant identification. They will become familiar with timber typing, vegetative surveys (silvah plots & stem counts), project layout, and forestry practices that create desired habitat conditions. Under supervision, interns will also experience tally and marking, herbicide application, timber sale/project administration, and road layout. Habitat Management Internship (4 positions) Work Location(s): Butler County (41.08492, -79.89158); Crawford County (41.76651, -79.96411); Forest (41.47182, -79.26556); Venango (41.33487, -79.90676). Providing hunters, trappers, and wildlife enthusiasts access to premier wildlife habitats is key to our mission. Interns will be assigned to one of five land management groups responsible for over 65 state game lands covering more than 200,000 acres of habitat. Interns will gain hands-on experience in habitat management as they work side-by-side with crew members. They will learn how to safely operate farm implements and power/hand tools, and assist with infrastructure maintenance of gates, parking lots, boundary lines and propagation areas. They will gain experience in enhancing herbaceous, shrubland, forested and wetland habitats, and be introduced to our comprehensive planning process which provides the foundation for all work completed within the state game lands system. Under supervision, interns can expect to learn about proper herbicide application (hand and mechanical) to treat invasive species, as well as the use of prescribed fire to enhance habitats. Information and Education Internship (1 position) Work Location: NW Regional Office, Venango County (41.3674, -79.8603) One key factor to a successful conservation agency is remaining relevant. The objective of this internship is to provide experience in the development and delivery of content that promotes the mission and values of the PA Game Commission. The intern will be immersed in operations to foster a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s programs, goals, and accomplishments. Through the guidance of the regional information and education supervisor, the intern will develop content and draft articles for publication; assist in creating videos, posts, podcasts, and other efforts to publicize agency activities and events; create, package, and inventory promotional displays and items; coordinate and edit field note submissions; become familiar with Wildlife on Wi-Fi and other virtual educational platforms; assist and develop R3 outreach events; communicate with the marketing bureau to coordinate and publicize regional events; and inventory and update agency publications. Wildlife Biology Internship (2 positions) Work Location(s): Erie Area (42.1291, -80.0850) or Clarion Area (41.2147, -79.3852) This internship will offer real-world experience in the field of wildlife biology. Interns will be paired with agency biologists and assist with wildlife management duties. Duties will include black bear capture and tagging, acoustic sampling (bats & N. flying squirrels), shorebird nest monitoring and protection, nest box surveys, waterfowl and mourning dove banding, trap maintenance, habitat plan development, and various other wildlife and habitat surveys. Agency biologists will relate how data gathered impacts management decisions and population goals. Collaboration across professional disciplines will be encouraged to enhance outcomes and related objectives. Interns will also gain experience in equipment operation (GPS, UTV, kayak, motorboat, 4X4 and hand and power tools). Projects will occur throughout the NW region; however, daily reporting will be to one of the above general locations. Rewards: Our goal is to mentor and recruit the next generation of conservation professionals. As an intern, you will explore career and agency opportunities, gaining an inside look into your future. You will develop specialized skill sets through hands-on application while being mentored by professionals within your field of study. You will receive a midterm and final evaluation, providing a forum for constructive feedback and questions. You will collaborate with other conservationists and participate in agency meetings, forming relationships you can build on in the future. Finally, interns who successfully complete the program may be considered for future employment opportunities with our agency.

Qualifications

Current full-time students who will return to college in Fall 2023 Hard working and motivated Positive attitude and eager to learn Professional communication skills Open to collaboration/working with others Supportive of PGC’s mission to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations. Valid driver’s license Preferred candidates will have college-level coursework or experience in the fields of wildlife, forestry, natural resource management, environmental education, communications, and/or marketing.

Contact Person

Position Specific - see Job Description

Contact eMail

[email protected]

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