Natural History Institute Internship, Summer 2022
Description of agency and internship overview:
NHI provides leadership and resources for a revitalized practice of natural history that integrates art, science, and humanities to promote the health and well-being of humans and the rest of the natural world.
The intern is responsible for collaborating with the Science Director, Program Director and Collections Manager in building a science communication program that highlights the biotic diversity of the Mogollon Highlands Ecoregion. One focal point of the science communication effort is developing public engagement programs for NHI's 10,000 specimen herbarium collection. Another area of focus is NHI's scientific databases which currently serve only our science efforts and can be used to elevate public engagement with the ecoregion's rich biodiversity. Finally, the intern would assist the Program Director in creating a community science effort focused on gathering data and specimens where gaps exist in both NHI's scientific data bases and social media databases such as iNaturalist.
- Create public engagement programs focused on NHI's herbarium
- Develop interactive, online programs featuring NHI's snake and plant databases
- Assist in creating and implementing a community science biota inventory plan
- Develop "projects" for online social media platforms focused on the Mogollon Highlands Ecoregion
- Analyze existing online social media databases for gaps in locality sampling and taxa representation
Eligibility:
Bill Lane Center internships are part of Cardinal Quarter opportunities and we encourage students from all disciplines to apply to our opportunities. The opportunities are full-time (35-40 hours a week) for 10-weeks during the summer. Specific start and end dates can be coordinated directly with the supervisor.
Students of all years are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Possible majors or interests may include Science Communication, Biology, Earth Science, Marketing, Education and English.
Note: Students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the 2021-22 academic year (inclusive of summer).
For more helpful application advice, please visit the BLC’s FAQs page.
Required Skills:
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Strong science communication skills including writing, graphic design and speaking
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The ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
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The ability to work independently
Desired Skills:
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GIS background
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Familiarity with plant taxonomy
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Facility in using online social media platforms such as iNaturalist
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Marketing background
Selection of applicants:
Complete applications are screened and finalists are contacted for an interview with staff from the Bill Lane Center for the American West. The top candidates for each position are forwarded to the agency for direct interviews with their potential supervisors and other agency staff. Host agencies will then notify the Lane Center of their preferred candidate and that applicant will receive an internship offer by email. The applicant is expected to respond promptly (within 48 hours) via email to the offer, or the offer will be rescinded. Once an applicant accepts an offer, the student should promptly notify all other Stanford and non-Stanford programs to which they have applied that they have accepted another offer and to withdraw their candidacy.
