Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation - Wilderness Steward Internship Opportunities
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Wilderness Steward Internship Opportunities
with the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Summer 2015
About the Bob Marshall Wilderness
Considered by many to be the “crown jewel” of the wilderness preservation system,
the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is comprised of over 1.5 million acres of un-
trammeled, wild vastness that stretches from Glacier National Park in the north, to
Rogers Pass to the south in the northern Rockies of Montana. Straddling the continen-
tal divide, the “Bob” as it’s known locally, is comprised of towering limestone reefs
(including the famous Chinese Wall), range after range of majestic mountains, lush
forests, broad basins and valleys, and two “wild and scenic” designated rivers. It also
contains some of the best wildlife habitat in the lower 48 for elk, deer, moose, moun-
tain goats, bighorn sheep, black bear, and the “threatened” grizzly bear. The Bob
Marshall Wilderness Complex is named after the early day forester and conservation-
ist. Bob Marshall was an early advocate for protecting roadless areas, organizer and
benefactor of the Wilderness Society, and legendary hiker, sometimes covering 30 to
50 miles of trail in a day. Today the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (BMWF)
continues to promote this legacy by clearing and maintaining trails within the Bob
Marshall Wilderness Complex. The BMWF is seeking individuals with a passion for wil-
derness conservation to participate as Wilderness Stewardship Interns as part of a
Wilderness Conservation Corp.
About the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (BMWF) has been serving the wilderness rec-
reation community for eighteen years by organizing and leading projects that clear
trails and keep the wilderness wild by restoring damaged areas and removing noxious
weeds. BMWF works to ensure that all Americans have access to Montana’s Bob Mar-
shall Wilderness Complex, the crown jewel of the Wilderness System and one of the
world’s most spectacular places. Each year 300 to 400 BMWF volunteers, ages 12 to
80, participate in 40 to 50 projects in coordination and cooperation with the Forest
Service on trails and land within and adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Com-
plex. Since its incorporation in 1997, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
(BMWF) and its volunteers have cleared almost 5,000 miles of trail and have donate
millions of dollars of labor to improve public lands.
Wilderness Steward Internship Opportunities
with the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Summer 2015
Wilderness Steward Internship Job Description
The purpose of the WSI is to help students develop competencies and job skills that
will lead to natural resource related careers. Interns receive training in primitive tools
use, herbicide application, outdoor leadership, and other wilderness conservation
skills. Upon completion of the internship, participants are evaluated on wilderness
skills development, aptitude for conservation work, knowledge and competencies to-
ward leadership.
This position involves working under the supervision of a Wilderness Stewardship
Cooridinator (WSC) with a team with 3 other interns. After completing 3 weeks of
training, interns will work as a team to coordinate and implement wilderness trail
maintenance, noxious weed treatment (using hand-pulling, herbicide application, and
biocontrol methods), and campsite impact monitoring projects throughout the Bob
Marshall Wilderness Complex. This position requires both field and office/computer
work. Office work includes working with the BMWF Program Director and Program Co-
ordinator, U.S. Forest Service managers and volunteer groups to coordinate project
logistics and paperwork prior to a volunteer project and accomplishment reporting af-
ter each project. In addition, interns are required to create an Individual Accomplish-
ment Plan to set goals for the summer and keep a daily journal to reflect on lessons
learned, or reflections achieved.
Wilderness steward interns will occasionally work with
both adult and youth volunteers. Volunteers receive
practical lessons in Leave No Trace camping, backcoun-
try safety, proper food storage and behavior in bear
country, and trail maintenance. Evenings include
“campfire talks” about the area’s natural history, flora,
and fauna. Additional duties will include maintaining
hand tools, organizing the tool cache, and providing
volunteers with the appropriate safety gear and information. Extra time will be
scheduled for training, project planning, menu planning and shopping, volunteer
recognition and supplemental office work.
Project work takes place both in the front country and the backcountry. This position
requires camping in primitive sites, extensive hiking over varied terrain and working
in a variety of weather conditions. There may be opportunities to work with pack
stock on some projects, but stock will not be provided for every project. The Wilder-
ness Steward Intern will have the opportunity to meet numerous professionals in the
wilderness management field and make connections for future opportunities in wilder-
ness and recreation management.
Wilderness Steward Internship Opportunities
with the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Summer 2015
Training
On the job training with the Program Director and Wilderness Stewardship Coordinator
will take place upon arrival for the first two weeks in the Hungry Horse area with the
BMWF and the following week and at Spotted Bear ranger station for Forest Service
orientation. BMWF and Forest Service training covers:
Wilderness Orientation Backcountry Living Skills
Bear Awareness/Safety Trail Maintenance Training
Stock Use/Safety Safety Orientation
Defensive Driving Crosscut Saw and Chainsaw Certification
Natural History Education
Interns will also spend a weekend obtaining a Wilderness First Aid certification
through Aerie School for backcountry Medicine.
Required Skills & Background:
Ability to work efficiently within a team.
Backpack over strenuous terrain for up to 10 days in a row for multiple hitches.
Maintain a positive attitude with a rigorous schedule throughout field season.
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to function at a high level, both independently
and under pressure. Project plans and logistics may change on a weekly basis;
flexibility is a MUST!
Understanding of basic weed identification and treatments (or ability to learn
quickly).
Backcountry living and travel experience.
Oral and written communication skills including experience facilitating conflict reso-
lution and mediation.
Ability to work with limited supervision in a field and office environment.
Ability to keep neat and accurate records and reports.
Motivation and willingness to work above and beyond duties (non-traditional hours,
including nights and weekends).
Basic computer proficiency including email communication, knowledge of Microsoft
Word, digital photo downloading and sharing, ability and willingness to learn other
software as needed.
Wilderness Steward Internship Opportunities
with the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Summer 2015
Preferred Skills & Background:
Academic experience or equivalent experience in wilderness management, recrea-
tion, environmental studies, outdoor education, or related field
Knowledge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
Experience working with volunteers or groups with varied backgrounds and ability
levels.
Experience with government agency, outdoor program, or non-profit organization.
Proficiency with GPS and mapping software.
Transportation
For this position, a reliable, personal vehicle is required to access job site locations.
This often requires driving to trailheads on primitive, gravel roads. The BMWF will re-
imburse for the cost of using a personal vehicle for official duties at the standard gov-
ernment rate. Mileage will be calculated from your designated duty station to deter-
mined location. Other vehicle repairs are the responsibility of the Intern. The interns
will have projects throughout the Bob Marshall Wilderness and will have to drive to
each project. Carpooling is highly encouraged.
Duty Station, Housing, Meals and Gear
Wilderness Stewardship Intern:
Housing is not provided for this position. It is rec-
ommended that interns obtain seasonal housing in
the Flathead Valley (Whitefish, Kalispell, Columbia
Falls, Hungry Horse). Meals are provided when work-
ing with crews in the field, but employees are ex-
pected to cover their own food expenses while on
personal time. Personal backpacking gear will be re-
quired for this position, most importantly a good
sleeping bag, backpack, rain gear, and sturdy hiking
boots. Some gear will be available through the
BMWF including stoves, water filters, and tents.
Wilderness Steward Internship Opportunities
with the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Summer 2015
Salary and Benefits
This position is a non-salaried internship. However there are some significant benefits.
They include:
Living stipend to total $3,000 for the 14 weeks of service.
Mileage reimbursement for use of personal vehicle while preforming official duties
Meals while working in the field.
Valuable skill building & career building opportunities in
the nonprofit partner field as well as Forest Service.
Academic Credit
The BMWF will work with colleges or universities that offer
natural resource internship courses to provide all necessary
coordination, documentation and evaluation for the intern-
ship course.
Position Length
Interns will report to BMWF office at the Hungry Horse Ranger Station by May 18th
and will end work on August 23rd. This position will be full time, 40 hrs per week.
To Apply
Email a resume, cover letter and an indication to what position you are applying for to
Rebecca Powell, Program Director, at program@bmwf.org. Also, be sure to review the
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation website for a better understanding of the organi-
zation www.bmwf.org. Selected applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter to
schedule an interview. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
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