Dickinson, ND & British Columbia

Position Title: Threatened Species Conservation Intern

Organization: Abnova Ecological Solutions, Restoration Futures Lab and University of Victoria

Location: Dickinson, ND & British Columbia

Organization Overview:  The Restoration Futures Lab is on the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples at the University of Victoria. It is directed by Dr. Nancy Shackelford and aims to advance the understanding of how to design and conduct successful restoration of ecological communities. The research investigates the drivers of restoration outcomes, bringing together ecological theory with on-ground results to make restoration more predictable at all scales.

Abnova Ecological Solutions is a small ecological consulting and research business owned and operated by Dr. Michael Curran. Abnova specializes in ecological restoration, land reclamation, environmental monitoring, environmental data management, wildlife habitat assessments and surveys, and a variety of other ecology related matters.

Position Overview: In Fall 2024, the candidate will begin as a graduate assistant at the University of Victoria. The graduate assistantship is for two years. The expected start date as an intern will be late Spring/early Summer 2024 with the graduate student program beginning September 2024. The graduate student will be responsible for completion of a research project (planning, analysis, and writing), sharing results via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, and completion of coursework. The candidate will gain experience working with government agencies, consultants, and industry partners in this position.

Duties: The candidate will begin as an intern in late Spring or early Summer of 2024 with Abnova Ecological Solutions and transition into a MS research assistant role in Fall 2024 at University of Victoria. Internship responsibilities will include conducting literature reviews related to the Dakota skipper and its habitat requirements as well as ecological restoration efforts associated with non-native grass species common to North Dakota. Additionally, the candidate will assist conducting interviews and surveys with ecological restoration practitioners, government agents, and others who have worked in prairie restoration efforts within the Dakota skipper’s range. Baseline monitoring of vegetation on a ~250 acre property will be conducted in Summer 2024 and the candidate will use information from the aforementioned literature review, interviews, surveys, and fieldwork to assist with the development of a habitat restoration plan.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in environment or natural resource field (e.g., Biology, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Plant Science) completed no later than May 2024. Those with a strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work independently and as productive member of a research team are encouraged to apply. Previous research experience including field work, writing, data management, GIS or statistical analysis, and programming skills are a plus.

Start/End Dates: May 2024 – December 2026

Salary/Pay: $20 per hour internship/ $30,000 per year graduate assistant stipend

Application Deadline:  January 31, 2024

How to Apply:  Please submit: A cover letter detailing your interest in the position and your qualifications, curriculum vitae and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Nancy Shackelford and Dr. Michael Curran