Winter Botany Intern (Unpaid)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Westborough, MA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Winter Botany Intern will assist the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program’s Conservation Planning Botanist with verifying the completeness and accuracy of plant records and mapping habitats using ArcGIS under the Botanist’s guidance. The intern will also support other tasks related to rare plant conservation, which may include preparing proposals to list species as rare or invasive. The primary work involves mapping plant habitats in ArcGIS on a state-provided computer, writing rare plant web descriptions, assisting with proposals to include plants on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list, and writing about invasive plants for possible inclusion on the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group list. Early-season fieldwork may also be available for interested interns. At least one day per week is in the Westborough office; other days may be remote. This is an unpaid internship.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with Excel.
Experience with ArcGIS.
Ability to work effectively independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to maintain accurate records and organize files and documents.
Experience with ArcGIS Pro; training can be provided.

Responsibilities

Verify the completeness and accuracy of plant records.
Map plant habitats using ArcGIS on a state-provided computer, under the guidance of the Conservation Planning Botanist.
Write rare plant web descriptions.
Assist with proposals to include plants on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list.
Write about invasive plants for possible inclusion on the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group invasive plant list.
Assist with early-season fieldwork if interested.
Support other tasks related to the conservation of rare plants.