ABOUT US 

For nearly 50 years, NatureServe has been the authoritative source for biodiversity data throughout the U.S. and Canada, answering fundamental questions about what exists, where it is found, and how it is doing. With an international network of over 60 natural heritage programs, NatureServe is the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems. To protect threatened biodiversity, NatureServe works with over 1,000 conservation scientists to collect, aggregate, and standardize biodiversity statistics, providing comprehensive data to the public for strategic conservation efforts.  

 

PURPOSE 

For decades, NatureServe and the Network have leveraged the Element Occurrence (EO) data standard as a common foundation on which zoologists, botanists, and ecologists can build discipline-specific guidance for surveying, assessing, and mapping locations of high-priority "elements of biodiversity." In addition to EO data, NatureServe and the Network increasingly engage in projects requiring the collection and management of two additional spatial data types—observations, and species habitat models (SHM).  

The goals of this internship are to (1) learn more about different spatial data types that are important for data-driven biodiversity conservation, and (2) increase the amount of biodiversity data available to NatureServe and partners, including by: 

      • Learning about biodiversity location data standards and methods, including through, NatureServe’s observation standard and toolkit; 
      • Learning about species habitat modeling through hands-on experience with NatureServe’s Species Habitat Modeling program; 
      • Researching the availability of observation data for target species from both within and outside our Network of partners; 
      • Becoming familiar with existing workflows for collecting, managing, and publishing observation and SHM data and applying those workflows to obtain, format, and publish data; 
      • Helping evaluate and suggest improvements to existing workflows; and, 
      • Collaborating with NatureServe staff, the NatureServe Network, and others to increase the amount of observation data and species habitat models that are managed centrally by NatureServe and shared with different partners to increase biodiversity conservation outcomes.  


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Interest in NatureServe’s mission of leveraging the power of science, data, and technology to guide biodiversity conservation and stewardship. 

2. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree attained, or expected within the next year, in a Biological Science, 

Conservation Science, Geography/Geographic Information Systems or a related field. 

3. Experience with data management in large databases. 

4. Basic experience with GIS. 

5. Proficiency with MS Office Suite software.   

6. Well‐organized and able to keep records up‐to‐date and accurate, with attention to detail. 


PREFERRED SKILLS: 

1. Advanced experience with GIS, 

2. Experience with R, SQL, Python, and/or Survey 123, 

3. Excellent communication skills (speaking, writing persuasively, editing, and proofreading). 

4. Knowledge of, or experience with, natural heritage programs or conservation data centers 

 

DATES/HOURS/COMPENSATION: 

The target timeline for this internship is August 14, 2023 through October 31, 2023. Hours will be flexible, with anticipated commitments ranging from 15-25 hours/week. The hourly rate for this position is $21/hour. 

 

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

1. Ability to converse verbally and in writing.   

2. Ability to use organizational technology 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Submit a cover letter and resume via TriNet ATS system to indicate why you are interested in an internship with NatureServe, your skills and qualifications as they relate to the position, and your availability over the duration of the internship as described above.   

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. 
 

NatureServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

This position has been filled.