About the organization: High Desert Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting collaboration to tackle some of our community’s most complex challenges, such as restoring forests and wetlands, mitigating wildfires, creating opportunities for local youth, and growing our rural economy. Monitoring projects are one of the many support systems used to assist and inform our Collaborative Partners while remaining impartial in the data collection process. To view the culture and natural beauty of Harney County, see our video on YouTube Land Water Sky Soul and check out the High Desert Partnership website to learn more about the missions and goals of each collaborative we are involved in.
About the location: The High Desert Partnership is located in Harney county which is in Southeast Oregon. About 75% of the land base in Harney County is publicly managed. We have unique ecosystems in the high desert with even more challenging issues to enhance habitat for wildlife and ranching. These challenges include increasing the resilience of the sagebrush steppe and dry pine forests to wildfire by managing invasive species, such as cheatgrass and juniper as well as enhancing wetland habitat in the Harney Basin that is a critical stopover for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway.
About the Internship: This entry-level position will explore a career in Natural Resources through opportunities present within the community. The high school intern position will work with the HDP Monitoring Crew, Stream Monitoring Crew, Collaborative Partners, special interest groups, agency personnel, the public, and contractor personnel. This internship is meant to expand and build the intern’s resume. Interns will learn skills applicable to all workplaces including teamwork, collaboration, computer skills, communication skills within a team, and public speaking. Interns will also participate in the Youth Changing the Community Collaborative Summit. The intern will work closely with High Desert Partnership to gain academic credit either for High School or Treasure Valley Community College through their work experience. Either a written paper or presentation will need to be completed by the end of the internship to receive academic credit.
All positions will be required to drive and ride for long hours in 4WD vehicles over rough roads through rangelands and forests, camp and work cohesively with fellow co-workers, and hike over varied terrain carrying required equipment weighing less than 50 lbs to survey sites off trails. Field work will occur on weekdays on a 4/10 schedule usually starting early in the morning. Interns will also participate in collaborative meetings and settings, attend orientation to learn safety and monitoring protocols, and network with other seasonal and permanent co-workers. Experience gained will be similar to a biological science technician at the federal level of GS 02-05.
Locations: High Desert Partnership office in Hines, Oregon. Field locations in the Malheur Forest, Harney and Malheur Public and Private Rangelands, Malheur Wildlife Refuge.
Compensation: Seasonal full-time ($15.20-$17/ DOE), paid holidays, and academic credit.
Dates of employment: Start after high school summer dismissal, dates are variable with seasonality of plants and animals. Interns should expect a 10-week commitment.