Western Montana Public Lands Intern

About The Wilderness Society

The Wilderness Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting America’s wild places since 1935. Our mission is to unite people to protect America’s wild places. Through science, advocacy and partnerships with communities and policymakers, we champion the protection of wilderness, national parks, forests, and other public lands that provide clean air and water, wildlife habitat and the freedom to connect with nature. For more information, visit www.wilderness.org. 

Internship Overview 

The Lolo National Forest encompasses over 2 million acres of public lands in western Montana and is home to four designated Wilderness areas, critical habitat and headwaters, and an array of roadless areas, all of which support local livelihoods and ecosystems. The United States Forest Service is currently in the process of revising the Lolo National Forest Plan, which will direct management of the Forest for the next twenty years or more. The Western Montana Public Lands Intern will work closely with TWS staff and partners to research and draft comments on the Lolo National Forest Plan Revision Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), urging the Forest Service to consider alternatives that prioritize the value and health of this important landscape for generations to come. This position may also support community outreach for two local legislative campaigns – the Lincoln Prosperity Proposal and A River Runs Through It Proposal (previously the Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Act).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities  

• Work with TWS staff to build a base of knowledge on the Forest Plan revision process, 2012 Planning Rule, Chapter 70 wilderness evaluation, and other relevant public land management processes as needed
• Attend public and partner meetings related to the Lolo National Forest Plan revision process
• Work with the Crown of the Continent Community Conservation Specialist and others to identify and compile research to inform comments on the Lolo National Forest Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
• Conduct an in-depth review of and compile research on the Lolo National Forest Chapter 70 wilderness evaluation, recreation-related plan components, and wildlife/landscape connectivity (if the timeline for submitting comments is delayed past the end of the internship, this body of work may be expanded to fill more time)
• Support related conservation work taking place in western Montana if the timeline for drafting comments is delayed past the end of the internship 
• Adhere to all policies and procedures set forth by TWS (including, but not limited to, finance, human resources and legal) to maintain a compliant and efficient work environment. 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Education: Currently enrolled in or recent graduate (within 2 years) of an accredited college or university
• Interests/experience: Strong interest and/or experience in public land management processes, public policy, natural resource management, and related fields
• Public engagement: Willingness to engage with a diverse array of local partners and stakeholders, including Tribal Nations, conservation orgs, hunting and angling groups, guides and outfitters, motorized and non-motorized recreation user groups, and others
• Skills: Strong communication (written and verbal), ability to work independently with support from a supervisor
• Adaptability: Ability to shift focus and support related conservation work in western Montana if the timeline for drafting comments is delayed past the end of the internship

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of experience, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

The ​preferred location(s) for this position are Missoula or the surrounding area (Flathead Valley, Bitterroot Valley, Blackfoot Valley, Swan Valley). The ​compensation for this position is $18/hour.  ​To apply, please submit resume and ​cover ​letter by March 15th through our online application portal.

TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair treatment of our employees and constituents across culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, veteran status or sexual orientation. 

As an organization, we aspire to being inclusive in the work that we do, and in the kind of organization we are.  Internally, this means working as a team that listens to different points of view, recognizes the contributions of every employee and empowers each employee to bring their whole selves to work every day. Externally, this means ensuring that public lands are inclusive and welcoming, so that our shared wildlands can help people and nature to thrive.  We are committed to equity throughout our work, which we define as our commitment to realizing the promise of our public lands and ensuring that all can share in their universal benefits.

To learn more about our commitment, please see http://wilderness.org/our-commitment-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-wilderness-society 

Pursuant to applicable fair chance laws, TWS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

TWS complies with federal and state disability laws and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact careers@tws.org.  TWS only accepts resumes submitted for positions that are currently open. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via the online application process (where applicable), will not be reviewed or retained.