KACD to Fill Natural Resource Intern Positions

The Kansas Association of Conservation District (KACD) in partnership with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a Technical Assistance Agreement to fill fifteen Natural Resource summer Intern positions across the state of Kansas.  Amanda Scott, KACD Assistant
Executive Director stated "the goal is to have the interns in place around May 1^st for the summer."  These are paid internship positions with an hourly rate of $20.00 being set through the KACD and NRCS agreement.

The Natural Resource Interns will then spend the summer assisting the local field office staff with a variety of tasks related to the management and protection of natural resources. This includes: soil and water conservation, pasture and rangeland management and other natural resource concerns. "The intern will gain valuable experience in natural resource management and have the opportunity to work with a team of professionals while adding a professional internship to their resumes" Scott said.  She went on to state that "these interns will be given a chance to make a difference in the environment while learning more about the valuable natural resources in Kansas. Interns could always use the experience learned during this opportunity to return and apply for future employment opportunities with local conservation districts and or USDA NRCS." 

Interns will work with NRCS and conservation district staff across the state to learn and assist with inventory and evaluation of cropland, rangeland and other land uses while completing survey, design, layout and checkout of conservation practices. In some counties the interns may also be asked to assist in the development and implementation of summer educational programs related to natural resources for camps or summer programs and community events. 

Potential interns must be full time students (high school or college) over the age of 16 and must hold a valid Kansas drivers license. Candidates should have a strong interest in natural resource management and possess good communication and interpersonal skills. Interns will be asked to work both independently and as part of a team, both in the field and in the office.  Strong computer skills and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions are a must. Potential interns should be able to meet physical demands of this position such as the ability to walk in various field conditions and lift or move up to 50 pounds.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment is sometimes outdoors and exposed to all weather conditions. Potential candidates must be willing to arrive daily with appropriate gear to allow them to spend the work day in the field (boots, jeans, sunscreen, hat, and water jug; lunch box may also be needed) Interested students should reach out to their local conservation district, you can find their contact information online at https://www.kacd.net/conservation-districts.cfm to inquire about the positions before the end of February.