Summer 2012 Internship >> Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, CO- Deadline extended beyond March 2, 2012
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
| Position Title | Project Assistant |
| Position Type | Internship for Duke NSOE/Yale School of Forestry Graduate students |
| Location | All jobs are based out of Salida in South Central Colorado |
Background: The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is a river-based state recreation area that spans from central to south central Colorado. The park encompasses 152 miles of river corridor between Leadville and Lake Pueblo State Park. It is co-managed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management. The Arkansas River is the most commercially rafted river in the United States. Common recreational activities along the river corridor include: river rafting (commercial and private), kayaking, fishing, camping, sightseeing, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and gold panning.
Eligibility: NSOE/Yale graduate student with interest and knowledge of carrying capacity issues as they pertain to outdoor recreation and/or boating capacity, survey design and analysis, and good personal communication skills. A personal vehicle, and valid driver’s license is recommended. Must be available from late May through mid August for field work.
Housing: AHRA will assist intern in securing affordable temporary housing (in the Salida Area).
Job Description: This position is an exciting opportunity to apply what you have learned in the classroom to real-world outdoor recreation management issues. Currently, Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the BLM are considering updating the 2001 AHRA Management Plan. In anticipation of this update, both agencies would like to gather boating activity (capacity/user conflict) data to help inform if/whether adjustments need to be made to the current allocation of commercial and private boats. The future management plan may also need to consider permits for private boaters. Development and implementation of a survey instrument will help guide future decisions on these matters.
The selected project assistant will have an opportunity to assist in the design of this survey instrument, to help gage needed adjustments to river capacity and use. This will entail working with river users and other public stakeholders. The intern will lead administration of this survey; however, development of the survey is envisioned as being a collaborative effort that will involve the project assistant, Colorado Parks & Wildlife staff, BLM staff, and likely Dr. Doug Whittaker of Confluence Research and Consulting. It is envisioned that the project assistant would be able to assist in evaluating survey results after administering the survey and achieving an adequate sample size. Administration of the survey will need to be consistent with Federal NEPA process guidelines and establish a framework for future capacity discussions.
This is an ideal opportunity for the project assistant to learn about the Natural Resources Management career field – the internship will provide a first-hand opportunity to experience issues related to balancing recreation use with natural resource management. Interns will have an opportunity to work with all sections of AHRA’s staff – park managers, park rangers, river rangers, maintenance, administration, CPW planning staff, and various BLM staff members. Through projects and normal duties, the project assistant will have the opportunity to work with other agencies and community groups such as US Forest Service, local community recreation programs and The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association. The project assistant may work or ride along with all AHRA work sections for a 2 to 4 week period per section to study and learn the particular aspects and operations to the section as well.
Application deadline: March 2, 2012. Interested graduate students should submit a letter of interest, AHRA application and resume. Some uniform items will be provided. A temporary employee application form is also needed. A PDF can be found at: http://parks.state.co.us/SiteCollectionImages/parks/Parks/AHRA/AHRA_Seasonal%20App.pdf
For more information contact:
Stew Pappenfort, Senior Park Ranger
307 W. Sackett Ave.
Salida, CO 81201
719-539-7289
719-539-3771 (fax)
This announcement was sent to us by a Duke NSOE graduate:
Scott Babcock, AICP
Strategic Planning Program Manager – Parks
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
1313 Sherman Street, #618
Denver, CO 80203
Ph: 303.866.3203 x4306
Fax: 303.866.3206
Email: scott.babcock@state.co.us
+++++++++++++++++++++++++