Field Conservation Intern, GIS & Field Conservation Intern

jobshiringnearme.org Internships Job Announcement

Two positions available:

1) Field jobshiringnearme.org Intern and 2) GIS & Field jobshiringnearme.org Intern

Location: 3236 S. Kelly Ave., Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97239

Period of Employment: Seasonal position, approximately 6 months: April 6th – October 16th, 2026 Pay: $20.97/hour

Work hours: Part-time, alternating weekly schedule of two and three 8-hour days (40 hours every 2 weeks), 8:30am to 5:00pm (times somewhat flexible). Mon-Fri, with occasional optional evening and weekend hours Application deadline: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, by 11:59pm (PST)

General Summary

West Multnomah Soil & Water jobshiringnearme.org District (“District”) is hiring two adult (18+ years old) temporary, part-time jobshiringnearme.org Interns for spring through fall of 2026. Work is both in the field primarily within our

District service area (largely on private properties), and at our office in S. Portland. jobshiringnearme.org Interns will contribute to our programs and projects and receive mentorship, hands-on field experience, and opportunities to learn more about natural resource conservation through caring for and giving back to the land. We are looking for people with a desire to work outdoors; educate constituents; actively improve our air and water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and soil health; and an ability to work as part of a dynamic team of dedicated and compassionate professionals.

Who We Are

The West Multnomah Soil & Water jobshiringnearme.org District is a publicly funded special district whose mission is to provide resources, information, and expertise to inspire people to actively improve air and water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and soil health. We partner with many organizations and individuals, including residents and private landowners to accomplish our mission in Multnomah County west of the Willamette River, including all of Sauvie Island. Our services include invasive weed management, wildlife habitat and riparian restoration, financial assistance for conservation projects and community partners, establishing community gardens, conservation themed workshops, and conservation planning for healthy forests, farms, streams, and soil.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Staff and board strive to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity and fosters fairness, equity, inclusion and belonging. Interns are expected to contribute to an inclusive environment with staff and constituents and are invited to participate in equity training and explore issues and opportunities through the District’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding a candidate who will succeed in this role and understand that all candidates may not have experiences that seem to meet the listed Minimum and Desired qualifications. Your work, education and lived/personal experiences may still count towards these qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Survey, collect field data, and treat priority invasive weeds (including hand-pulling and use of herbicides), especially for Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) throughout the critical field season of April through June
• Monitor native and invasive plants at various project sites, especially for native plant cover and survival of plantings throughout the spring and fall seasons
• Perform data entry and analysis, make graphs, and write or contribute to articles, summaries and reports
• Create maps with ArcGIS or similar software (for the GIS & Field jobshiringnearme.org Intern only)
• Communicate effectively and respectfully and work directly with staff, the public, property owners, and contractors through face-to-face contact, phone, and email or other written communications
• Balance multiple tasks, routinely communicate work progress, and meet regularly with Internship Program Supervisor for mentorship, professional development and support

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Collect additional field data, such as water quality and forest measurements (includes using GPS, apps on mobile devices, and other specialized field equipment)
• Monitor for tree health at various project sites after learning to identify priority invasive pests and signs of infestation; may include deployment and regular inspection of insect traps from May to September
• Assist with outreach and educational activities to inform the public on natural resource conservation issues, services, and to support collaborations with local partners
• Assist individual staff with special projects (opportunities may include drafting conservation plans, assisting with implementation of conservation practices, involvement in DEI initiatives and strategies, and helping prepare education and outreach materials)
• Participate in educational workshops, tours, independent trainings and potential customized projects based on individual professional interests and/or intersection with the District’s goals
• Other duties as assigned, based on the needs of the organization

Minimum Qualifications for BOTH positions (required to be eligible for either jobshiringnearme.org Intern position; experience level in 1&2 used in evaluating and ranking applicants)

1. Experienced with plant identification: Proficient in recognizing and naming common plants of the Pacific Northwest, trained in the use of plant identification resources, knowledgeable of plant anatomy and/or traditional ecological knowledge of plants and first foods

2. Skilled in the use of Microsoft Excel and Word software (or similar): Ability to enter data, create graphs and compose written documents incorporating text, pictures, and tables

3. Ability to work outdoors under a range of conditions and terrain with or without reasonable accommodations

4. Willingness to work outside in inclement weather and on rough terrain, hand-pull weeds and work with and apply herbicides (using hand-operated sprayers) alongside licensed District staff members — after being provided training and obtaining a trainee license.

Additional Minimum Qualification for the GIS & Field jobshiringnearme.org Intern position ONLY

5. Proficient in ArcGIS mapping software: Ability to import, create, and edit both spatial and attribute data in ArcGIS (ArcMap, ArcPro or QGIS) and to create maps that incorporate clear symbology and basic cartography elements such as labels, keys and scale references

Desired Experience, Abilities, and Attributes (also used in evaluating and ranking applicants)

• Previous participation in an environmental workforce development program (such as, but not limited to: Green Jobs Internship and Training Program, Verde, Wisdom Workforce, Blueprint Foundation/Connecting Canopies, Friends of Tryon Interns, Greenspaces Restoration and Urban Naturalist Team/Teen Nature Team, TALON, Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, or Northwest Youth Corps)
• Active enrollment in a vocational/trade or associates degree program with a demonstrated interest in natural sciences, natural resource management, environmental education, or another related field
• Personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including exploration of power and privilege, a willingness to self-reflect, and experience engaging with marginalized communities and individuals in a welcoming and respectful manner
• Experience collecting field data and maintaining field notes
• Proven ability to maintain positive, cooperative relationships with others, and to conduct work in a professional manner

Job Conditions

• Both positions involve work in the field approximately 60% of the time, and office work approximately 40% of the time (dependent on field work needs and conditions). Work outdoors is in a range of weather and terrain conditions. Outdoor work may occur in and around urban areas, working forests, farms, farm animals and pets, water bodies, land with steep and slippery slopes, dense and thorny vegetation or other hazardous terrain. Potential physical hazards include stinging insects, high summer temperatures, pollen, poor air quality, use of various tools, kayaking and boating, and applying herbicides.
• Interns are provided stringent safety protocols that mirror OSHA guidelines surrounding heat, air quality, and other listed hazards to ensure that our workers are not exposed to dangerous conditions either in the office and/or the field – interns are expected to adhere to these safety practices to reduce risk of harm to self and others, and will be provided safety trainings for the use of equipment (e.g., herbicide applicators, epi-pens, kayaks, etc.) and as relevant work conditions necessitate.
• Physical exertion is commonly required for field tasks, such as hiking outdoors and carrying equipment and tools. Interns are expected to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
• Interns may need to transport themselves and field equipment throughout the day in an efficient and timely manner to and from and/or between conservation project sites. Sites in the rural West Hills and on Sauvie Island can be 20 miles or more from our office in S. Portland. Possession of a valid driver’s license is very helpful and strongly preferred, and a District vehicle may be provided when available (once the results of a motor vehicle report are determined to be satisfactory). Miles driven for work in a personal vehicle can be reimbursed if a District vehicle is unavailable.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay is $20.97 per hour. Holiday pay and sick leave are provided on a pro-rated basis (but not health, retirement and other benefits available to permanent employees). The District will pay for any required training and licenses, such as a trainee pesticide-applicator license. Use of a personal vehicle, phone, computer, or internet is not required (but if such use becomes necessary or beneficial, certain related expenses may be eligible for reimbursement).

Hiring Timeline

Below is the anticipated hiring schedule (which is subject to change):

• Interview Scheduling: February 9th, 2026
• Interviews: February 19th and February 20th, 2026
• Target Start Date: April 6th, 2026