AEC Summer Internships 2017 (Deadline to apply extended)

There are openings for three interns during the summer of 2017. One at the University Park office of the AEC and two in our Lower Susquehanna Office.

AEC UNIVERSITY PARK INTERNSHIP:
The AEC is in need of a full time summer intern at its University Park based office to assist the AEC Director and other staff in the delivery of a multitude of its projects and programs. Work would involve planning and assisting in the delivery of outreach materials, events and approaches that communicate the work of the AEC and research and information on best management practices and help to integrate the College's research, extension and education missions on agriculture and the environment; helping to build partnerships with entities involved in conservation work across the public/private and local/state/federal spectrums; helping staff deliver conservation trainings to conservation professionals who help landowners implement conservation practices on private lands; providing assistance on implementing the public outreach and education components of the Penn State Center for Nutrient Solutions and the Center for Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management; assisting staff in building and maintaining watershed partnership in priority watersheds, including Spring Creek (Centre County), Lost Creek (Juniata County), Conewago Creek (Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster Counties), Chiques Creek (Lancaster County), and others. Because of the partnership nature of the AEC's work, the intern will gain exposure to different partners from private, public agency, and nonprofit sectors. Other duties (as assigned) to assist the Director of the AEC and AEC/ENRI staff.

Qualified Candidate should have relevant major and interest in community engagement and outreach, public environmental policy, water resources and environmental sciences and/or agricultural sciences; be upper-class (Jr. or Sr. level, but all are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on experience/background); have excellent writing and communication skills; and be willing to conduct occasional travel (valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required).

Application Deadline: February 28, 2017

To apply, please submit a resume (with 3 references), a letter of interest, and a writing sample (10 page maximum) to Anna Marie Nachman by February 14, 2017. Please specify your interest in the University Park office summer internship position.

Job Type: Full Time, Paid Internship
Location: 111 Ferguson Building, University Park

AEC LOWER SUSQUEHANNA INTERNSHIP:
The AEC is in need of a full time summer intern at its Harrisburg Campus (Lower Susquehanna) office to assist the AEC Director, AEC Lower Susquehanna Project Coordinator, and other staff in the delivery of a multitude of its projects and programs in the Lower Susquehanna region. In particular, the intern will work on projects and programs related to implementation of riparian buffers and green infrastructure throughout the Lower Susquehanna. Primary duties will be field based work, including: maintaining the Lower Susquehanna Native Tree Nursery located at nearby Sunset Park in Londonderry Township; visiting landowners and municipalities to discuss opportunities for implementing riparian buffers and "turf to trees" reforestation projects and developing planting plans; organizing and coordinating tree pickup for restoration projects in the Lower Susquehanna region; assisting AEC staff in planning, coordinating and supervising volunteer plantings and other events through the AEC's Lower Susquehanna Volunteer Conservation Corps; working with local nurseries to promote native species for conservation projects; assisting Penn State Extension and other technical partners to help deliver green infrastructure trainings; conducting field work on restoration and best management practice (BMP) implementation, including conducting maintenance on riparian buffers, native meadows, rain gardens, and other green infrastructure practices; assisting in watershed planning and water quality monitoring; assisting AEC staff in facilitating and managing watershed based partnerships in the region, in particular in the Conewago Creek and Chiques Creek watersheds; and assisting in the delivery of outreach materials, events and approaches that build partnerships with entities involved in conservation work in the Lower Susquehanna region. Because of the partnership nature of the AEC's work, the intern will gain exposure to different partners from private, public agency, and nonprofit sectors. Other duties (as assigned) to assist the Lower Susquehanna Project Coordinator and AEC Director.

The ideal candidate should have relevant major and interest in water resources, natural resources, and environmental and/or agricultural sciences; interest and skills in community and landowner engagement and outreach; be upper-class (Jr. or Sr. level, but all are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on experience/background); have excellent writing and communication skills; and be willing to conduct occasional travel (valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required).

Application Deadline: February 28, 2017

To apply, please submit a resume (with 3 references), a letter of interest, and a writing sample (10 page maximum) to Anna Marie Nachman by February 14, 2017. Please specify your interest in the Lower Susquehanna Office internship position.

Job type: Full Time, Paid Internship
Location: 3rd Floor Church Hall, Penn State Harrisburg

AEC AGRICULTURE SUMMER INTERN (Lower Susquehanna office):
The AEC is in need of a full time summer agriculture intern at its Harrisburg Campus (Lower Susquehanna) office to assist the AEC Director, AEC Lower Susquehanna Project Coordinator, and other staff in the delivery of conservation outreach and assistance to farmers in the Chiques Creek watershed (Lancaster County) and other priority watersheds in the Lower Susquehanna region. In particular, the intern will support the Chiques Creek Reenvisioned Agriculture Team, chaired by the AEC Director, and consisting of partners with expertise and knowledge of agriculture in the watershed. This work is part of "Chiques Creek Reenvisioned," a diverse watershed based partnership facilitated by the AEC and working together to improve water quality in the Chiques. The intern will receive training on manure management planning and will work with experienced agriculture technicians to outreach to farmers to develop plans and provide guidance to farmers on program or technical assistance opportunities to implement conservation practices. The intern will work closely with agriculture technical staff at the Lancaster County Conservation District and other partners on the Chiques Ag Team. Other duties may include assisting in the maintenance of the AEC's Lower Susquehanna Native Tree Nursery; visiting landowners and municipalities to discuss opportunities for implementing riparian buffers and "turf to trees" reforestation projects and developing planting plans; assisting AEC staff in planning, coordinating and supervising volunteer plantings and other events through the AEC's Lower Susquehanna Volunteer Conservation Corps; conducting field work on restoration and maintenance best management practice (BMP) implementation, including conducting maintenance on riparian buffers, native meadows, rain gardens, and other green infrastructure practices; assisting in watershed planning and water quality monitoring; assisting AEC staff in facilitating and managing watershed based partnerships in the region, in particular in the Conewago Creek and Chiques Creek watersheds; and assisting in the delivery of outreach materials, events and approaches that build partnerships with entities involved in conservation work in the Lower Susquehanna region. Because of the partnership nature of the AEC's work, the intern will gain exposure to different partners from private, public agency, and nonprofit sectors. Other duties (as assigned) to assist the Lower Susquehanna Project Coordinator and AEC Director.

Qualified candidate should have relevant major and interest in agricultural sciences, water resources, natural resources, and/or environmental sciences; a passion for rural conservation and farming; interest or experience in agriculture, particularly livestock systems; skills in community and landowner engagement and outreach; be upper-class (Jr. or Sr. level, but all are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on experience/background); have excellent writing and communication skills; and be willing to travel to and within the Lancaster County area (valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required).

Application Deadline: February 28, 2017

To apply, please submit a resume (with 3 references), a letter of interest, and a writing sample (10 page maximum) to Anna Marie Nachman by February 14, 2017. Please specify your interest in the AEC Agriculture Intern position.

Job type: Full Time, Paid Internship
Location: 3rd Floor Church Hall, Penn State Harrisburg

For more information about any of these internships, email Matt Royer, Director, Agriculture and Environment Center or call (814) 863-8756.