Internship – Botanical Education: Seeds of Success Program

The Student Conservation Association is seeking a Botanical Education Intern for the Seeds of Success Program in Shepherdstown, WV. The intern will assist with outreach and education related to native seed collection and restoration projects. Key responsibilities include organizing training, developing educational materials, and collaborating with various partners. Candidates should have a strong interest in ecological restoration and possess good communication skills. The position runs from April 2025 to April 2026.
Job Description

Position Summary

The NCTC Botanical Education Intern would assist NCTC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Native Seed Coordinator with outreach and education efforts relative to DOI native seed collection teams and NCTC’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Burn Area Restoration (BIL BAR) tree nursery project. The project goal is to promote the sustainable collection of native seeds to increase the quality and quantity of genetically appropriate, locally adapted species for restoration of wildfire-burned habitats. The participant will be engaged in learning about the Seeds of Success program and supporting NCTC’s efforts to share project updates and information with a variety of partners and the public.

Schedule

April 21, 2025 – April 17, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Helping to organize in-person Seeds of Success training at NCTC; Aiding in the development of outreach/education materials and social media content; Serving as liaison between DOI native seed collection teams and the FWS Native Seed Coordinator; Attending project relevant meetings and calls; and learning to use the Seeds of Success Protocol and the Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetic Resources Propagation Protocol Database.

Marginal Duties

Assisting the NCTC tree nursery manager as needed; Participating in NCTC official events related to the BIL BAR project; assisting with other outreach and trainingopportunities with the FWS National Seed Strategy Implementation team; and helping to gather and analyze feedback from NCTC visitors/audiences to suggest improvements and inform future outreach efforts.

Required Qualifications

· Strong interest in ecological restoration, conservation, horticulture, and environmental education.· Must have good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.· Must be able to work as part of a dynamic team and independently.· Proficiency in Adobe, Microsoft Office Suite, and social media platforms.· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.· Must be able to work in a variety of outdoor and indoor settings.· Must have a valid driver’s license

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

· Previous experience in teaching, speaking, and developing outreach materials a plus.· Degree or experience in Communications, Graphic Design, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Botany, Ecology, Conservation, or related field.· Proficiency in ESRI ArcGIS products, graphic design tools such as Canva.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

No onsite accommodations are available.

Compensation

Weekly Living Stipend: $500One-Time Travel Allowance: $1,100 Monthly Housing Allowance: $1,000

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive TrainingOff-Road Vehicle SafetyAmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.