Download Introduction - Division of Physical Sciences

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Student Internship
Defining Successful Habitat Restoration Influences
Environmental Systems Program
University of California at San Diego Physical Sciences Program
And
HELIX Environmental Planning: San Diego Office
INTRODUCTION
The student intern will assist ecologists and habitat restoration professionals with collection and
analysis of physical site factors which influence the success of habitat restoration projects in Southern
California. The intern will serve as a field assistant, collect data, analyze data and assist with
producing a final delivery system for the data, which will be updated on an ongoing basis. The goal
will be to identify those factors that influence the success of habitat restoration efforts for use in design
and planning of future projects.
This will be a paid internship and will begin in October 2016 and end in March 2017, at approximately
10 hours per week.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The design and implementation of habitat restoration projects is a substantial undertaking, both as a
measure of effort and funding. Time spent during the planning phase of such projects is valuable in
that a well planned project can result in substantial savings of time and money during implementation,
particularly if success can be achieved with a minimal number of project changes. There are a
spectrum of factors to consider during project design that may affect the timeframe in which success
may be achieved, or even if the effort is successful at all.
This effort will collect information during field investigation, analyze that data and pair it with
information collected over years of prior investigation. We will be looking for correlations between
these various sets of data to identify those factors and ranges which most strongly influence the success
of habitat restoration projects in Southern California. Examples of factors which be evaluated include
vegetation density, types of vegetation, hydrology, soils composition and types of irrigation, among
others.
MAJOR DUTIES
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Work with HELIX biologists and habitat restoration professionals to collect data relevant to the
overall goal of this project.
Visit project sites to collect data necessary, and ensure proper methodologies are used.
Perform data entry and analysis.
Work with HELIX staff to determine the best format for data presentation and organization.
DELIVERABLES
A final report and/or poster describing the result of the student’s work. The report/poster will describe
the methodologies implemented and the general observations. Additionally, the project will produce a
searchable data set which will be updated on an ongoing basis.
FACTOR 1: KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
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Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive attitude. You will be interacting with a number of
different people, both internal to HELIX and external.
Basic field skills to work independently in remote situations. Ability to navigate to and from
project sites.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work load in concert with other demanding schedules.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. The success of this effort will depend
on the ability to communicate successfully to ensure data is collected according to protocols.
Possess a valid state driver license.
o Use of company vehicle will be authorized.
FACTOR 2: SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The intern will work under the general supervision of the HELIX Habitat Restoration Practice lead.
While most work will be completed independently, this position will integrate with the HELIX
Restoration Practice and the professionals involved in that work. This effort is one of a number of
ongoing efforts related to the advancement of habitat restoration knowledge and, as such, the intern
will have access to staff with a range of experience related to this scope. The intern is encouraged to
solicit guidance and advice from University faculty in relation to the project goals.
FACTOR 3: GUIDELINES
Guidelines include performance standards established by the Environmental Systems Program at the
University of California at San Diego. The intern will be closely advised by University faculty in
concert with HELIX management.
FACTOR 4: COMPLEXITY
This effort will afford the intern an opportunity to participate in design, implementation and analysis of
data which will affect real world habitat restoration efforts. The study will be designed such that the
number of factors evaluated may be increased as our understanding of relevant factors increases. The
complexity is therefore scalable, and limited only to the effort we are willing to contribute at this point
in time. This effort will be most appropriate for someone who wants to actively participate in
collaboration with experienced staff to develop study parameters and then actively pursue the study
guidelines somewhat independently. At the conclusion of this stage of data collection, the intern will
work with senior staff to interpret the study results and format those results for future use.
FACTOR 5: PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The majority of the field work can be physically demanding including hiking, climbing, bending,
crouching, stooping, digging, lifting and similar activities. The intern must be able to work alone in
the field.
FACTOR 6: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Although work may be performed both indoors and outdoors, the majority of work will be performed
indoors in an office setting. When outdoor work is required, the intern will be subject to various
weather conditions. HELIX will supply the intern with a work space, in the HELIX La Mesa Office.
Work will generally occur during the work week, during daylight hours, although weekend work may
be necessary on occasion.
For additional information, please contact Shanna Brown, Human Resources Director at (619) 4621515. Any interested persons should send a cover letter and resume to: Shanna Brown at
[email protected]