Natural Areas Internship, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, Statewide

Position Summary:

The Natural Areas Tech assists the Regional Natural Areas Manager with the implementation of management plans on select natural areas owned or managed by the Kentucky Nature Preserves. Extensive statewide travel, including routine and extended overnight travel, may be required. Duties include, but are not limited to, exotic species control, herbicide application, brush/tree removal, trail maintenance and construction, boundary posting, firebreak construction and assisting with fire management as a member of the burn crew. Individuals will also be responsible for the general upkeep of preserve parking areas, boundary patrol, preventative equipment maintenance, writing activity reports and occasional public contact. The completion of these tasks will aid in the protection of rare species and the restoration of important ecological communities throughout Kentucky.

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements:

Thirty credit hours in college biology, natural resources, or related field, or a high school diploma and one year of employment experience in natural resources.
Applicant must possess valid driver’s license. • Ability to safely operate and maintain equipment such as chain saws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, brush cutters, power tools, pump units, ATV and 4WD vehicles.
Ability to do strenuous labor and lift and carry fifty-pound objects (backpacks, etc.) for long periods of time under adverse field conditions and uneven terrain.
Willingness and ability to travel overnight for up to a week at a time (state vehicle will be provided; meals and lodging will be reimbursed).
Occasional weekend or alternative hours may be required for specific projects.
Applicants must participate in prescribed fire and will be offered any applicable trainings necessary to maintain qualifications. Priority will be given to those individuals who are certified by NWCG as FFT2 firefighter or have experience or other comparable qualifications.
Individuals should be self-motivated and able to work without direct supervision.
Individuals with good plant identification skills are preferred.
Individuals with experience operating tractors or skid steer machines is preferred.

Working Conditions:

Selected candidates are/may be exposed to biting/stinging insects, venomous snakes, poison ivy, and adverse weather conditions (precipitation, temperature and humidity extremes.) etc.
Individuals will often work in remote areas away from facilities and roads.

Web Address: Internships – Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

How to Apply:

Interested individuals may contact Josh Lillpop at (502) 782-7830 or by email josh.lillpop@ky.gov. An electronic copy of resume and transcript should be sent to josh.lillpop@ky.gov or by mail to: Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, C/O Josh Lillpop 300 Sower Blvd, 4th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-1403.