Wind Cave National Park Grant Opportunity: Vegetation Management Assistant Internship

Park: Wind Cave National Park, 26611 US Hwy 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Project title: 2014 Intern: Vegetation Management Assistant
Proposed Project Date: 05/19/2014 – 08/31/2014
Estimated funding available: $4,600
Number of Positions Available: 1

Summary:
This position will work with Wind Cave National Park botanist and permanent vegetation technician to accomplish a full spectrum of vegetation management activities from rare native plant species monitoring, to tracking residual forage and streambank/streamside vegetation condition, to treating non-native, invasive plant species.

Background:
Wind Cave National Park encompasses 33,851 acres in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. The mission of the park is to protect the unique resources of Wind Cave and preserve and enhance mixed-grass prairie and native wildlife (e.g., bison, elk, antelope, prairie dogs), while providing for the enjoyment of the public. Desired conditions include maintaining and protecting healthy plant communities and hydrological processes over time to support wildlife, vegetation, and cave resources. The climate at Wind Cave NP ranges from sub-zero temperatures during winter to over 100 degrees during summer. Hot Springs (12 miles; pop. 3,750) and Custer (20 miles; pop. 1,988) each have 2 smaller grocery stores, restaurants, medical and dental services, schools K-12, limited shopping, and churches of most faiths. Rapid City (pop. 65,000) is 60 miles away and has many larger grocery stores, more extensive shopping and many other conveniences found in metropolitan areas.

Possible Projects and Work Activities for 2014:
• Inventory and monitor multiple occurrences of 17 plant species tracked by the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program and known or reported to occur in Wind Cave NP
• Assist with data collection to track condition of perennial streams in Wind Cave NP (using BLM Multiple Indicator Monitoring protocol)
• Assist with data collection to document residual forage in Wind Cave NP using modified Robel protocol calibrated for the southern Black Hills (Dr. D. Uresk) to track wildlife impact that must be supportive of long-term plant health
• Assist with invasive plant treatments (chemical and mechanical methods) as determined in the 2014 WICA Invasive Species Action Plan; primary targets include white horehound (Marrubium vulgare), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgare), and Dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica).
• Assist with Wind Cave Canyon Vegetation Rehabilitation Project to rehabilitate native vegetation in a high profile area of the park (near Wind Cave entrance and Visitor Center) that has lost integrity over time due to the restriction of natural processes (e.g. wildfire, wildlife grazing) as well as vegetation manipulation (e.g. Civilian Conservation Corps planting thousands of trees and shrubs in the 1930s and 1940s)
• Assist in data collection to track mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) activity in Wind Cave NP.

Work will include training and operation of GPS units, computers, cameras, and vehicles. A valid state driver’s license is required. Work will be performed primarily outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions (particularly heat: 90-100F). Possession of a SD Commercial Applicator License is not required but the position requires studying for and successfully obtaining a SD license on the job. The job may include operating an ATV for herbicide application (training will be provided).

Skills desired:
Hand tools – Some experience
Orienteering/compass skills – Some experience
Field research – Some experience
Plant identification – Some experience
GPS – Some experience

Educational background desired:
Botany – Some coursework or experience
Ecological Restoration – Some coursework or experience
Ecology – Some coursework or experience
Range Management – Some coursework or experience
Resource Management – Some coursework or experience

Materials Requested for Statement of Information/Qualifications:
Please prepare a Statement of Information (three-page maximum) including a summary of how you would implement and manage this project in conjunction with NPS staff. Include your name, organization, and contact information, a brief description of the organization and mission, as well as a description of relevant qualifications and experience, past projects, and staff, faculty, or students who would be available to work on the project. In conjunction with the Statement of Information you are also required to submit a preliminary bid. The Statement of Information and preliminary bid will be reviewed by the NPS in order determine the organization best suited to provide services for this specific project. Final costs and budget will be negotiatied following selection of a recipient.. Submit electronic Statements of Interest to catherine_schroeder@nps and julie_hendricks@nps.gov by 5:00 CST on February 7, 2014 as well as any questions you may have concerning the project.