Intern - Land Conservation and Management

Alachua County • Gainesville, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a temporary, part-time, non-exempt intern position. The anticipated appointment period is August through December 2026, subject to funding availability and operational needs. The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is seeking applicants for a seasonal Land Conservation and Management Student Internship position to run from August through December, pending funding availability. This 300-hour fall internship position in the Land Conservation Program of the Environmental Protection Department will assist County staff to conduct land management activities and outreach programs across the program's 24 nature preserves. This position will assist staff in stewardship and outreach activities on the county nature preserves acquired through the Alachua County Forever Program. The Alachua County Forever Program manages 24 preserves, totaling over 36,000 acres throughout Alachua County, Florida. Some days may be designated to gain experience from other sections of the Program or EPD including working with the Arboriculture Program, Lands Acquisition team, Natural Resources Program, and Water Resources Program. This is a part-time, non-exempt, temporary intern position tied to ongoing enrollment in an educational program as specified in the job description. This position is funded for up to 300 hours to assist in stewardship activities on Alachua County preserves and natural areas under supervision of county staff. Stewardship activities may include invasive plant control, prescribed burning, recreational plan implementation, and general preserve maintenance. Additionally, this internship will assist with public outreach related to interpretive sign development, volunteer projects, and developing and implementing other outreach programs. The position is funded for up to 300 total hours during the appointment period. The selected intern must be available to work a minimum of two regularly scheduled 7-hour workdays per week, generally from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free meal period. Additional hours may be scheduled on other weekdays in shorter or variable shifts, based on program needs, workload, funding, and the intern’s availability. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. All hours worked must be accurately recorded and paid in accordance with applicable law and County policy.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate program in biology, wildlife ecology, forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or a closely related field at an accredited college or university.
• Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least two academic years of study, or equivalent progress toward the degree, including relevant coursework beyond general education requirements in one or more of the following areas: biology, ecology, wildlife, botany, forestry, natural resources, environmental science, land management, or a related discipline.
• Available to work the required schedule, including two regularly scheduled 7-hour workdays per week and additional variable hours, as assigned, up to 300 total hours during the internship period.
• Able to work safely and effectively in varying outdoor field conditions, including heat, rain, biting or stinging insects, wildlife, and uneven or difficult terrain.
• Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Able to follow County safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Coursework, training, or experience related to the identification of flora and fauna of North Central Florida.
• Coursework, training, or experience in land management, ecological restoration, invasive-species management, native-plant identification, forestry, wildlife ecology, or environmental education.
• S-130/S-190 Basic Wildland Firefighter Training and successful completion of the applicable work-capacity test.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Publisher, or similar outreach and design software.
• Basic experience using ArcGIS Pro, Avenza Maps, GPS technology, or other field-data-collection tools.
• Experience assisting with volunteer events, guided nature walks, outreach tabling, environmental education, or public-engagement activities.
• Availability to work occasional evenings or weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assist County staff to conduct land management activities and outreach programs across the program's 24 nature preserves.
• Assist staff in stewardship and outreach activities on the county nature preserves acquired through the Alachua County Forever Program.
• Assist with stewardship activities such as invasive-plant survey and treatment, habitat-restoration projects, recreational-plan implementation, preserve maintenance, and prescribed-fire support, when assigned and qualified.
• Assist with developing creative outreach program event opportunities and materials such as guided nature walks, volunteer events, or outreach tabling events.
• Assist with creating interpretive materials including signs, brochures, kiosk posters, and updates to the Alachua County Forever webpage and social media account.
• Land/Preserve Management – invasive plant survey and treatment, native plant survey, habitat restoration projects, and prescribed fire (if qualified).
• Preserve Maintenance – checking/clearing trails; fixing/installing fences, kiosks, interpretive signs, and gates.
• Outreach and Interpretation – Assist with developing creative outreach program event opportunities and materials such as guided nature walks, volunteer events, or outreach tabling events.
• Assist with creating interpretive materials including signs, brochures, kiosk posters, and updates to the Alachua County Forever webpage and social media account.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree