Sonoran Desert Network Welcomes International Volunteers in Parks

Saguaros at sunset, Saguaro National Park.

Come work for the National Park Service’s premier science program in Tucson, Arizona—while gaining valuable skills and memories to last a lifetime! The Sonoran Desert Network (SODN) conducts long-term monitoring of key natural resources in 11 national parks. SODN parks contain rich natural and cultural resources unique to this region of the American Southwest. International Volunteers in Parks (IVIPs) are an important part of SODN’s operations. Over the past several years, the network has hosted IVIPs from nations including France, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Romania. Read about their experiences

Skills/interests required

• Botany
• Plant taxonomy
• Soils and geology
• Natural resources studies
• Field data collection
• Hiking and backpacking

Who should apply?

Ideal candidates include enthusiastic individuals who are interested in getting lots of excellent fieldwork experience while learning about vegetation and soils monitoring methods, plant identification skills, native plant diversity, and best data management practices. Botanical or soils experience or interest is welcomed and preferred, but basic training on identification and taxonomy of common local species will be provided.

How long is the internship?

We offer internships each year, ranging in length from 21 to 52 weeks. Six-month internships typically start in July or August (with our field season), ending in December or January. Positions lasting longer than six months can have flexible start dates.

What would I be doing?

Our internships combine training, practical experience, and opportunities for professional development through mentored personal projects. Working as part of a 4–5-person team, you would conduct vegetation monitoring of both riparian (water-influenced) and upland (arid to semi-arid dryland) systems. Protocols use established methods, such as line-point intercept and frequency counts to evaluate the presence and abundance of all plant species found at each long-term monitoring site. At each site, the team conducts a suite of measurements to document the diversity, structure and abundance of plants and the stability and character of the soils. Each site is resampled every 5 years, and over time this data is used to quantify changes in the overall landscape and plant communities, allowing national park managers to better understand the changes occurring and plan for future stewardship.

This position is ~75% fieldwork, with ~25% office-based tasks related to data management of monitoring data. You will be expected to carry out field work safely and efficiently. This means following instructions and standardized procedures, collecting and organizing field data, and adhering to quality-control standards for data collected. In addition, you will calibrate, operate, and maintain resource management equipment, as necessary. This will include timely communication relating to repair or replacement. You will also utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information.

Each intern will have the chance to participate in other SODN monitoring protocols that are active during the period of their internship—such as monitoring water resources (primarily springs and streams) and mammal monitoring via remotely triggered wildlife cameras.

IVIPs do a variety of field work for the Sonoran Desert Network.

What are the working conditions like?

This position offers a unique opportunity for immersion in the national parks. Vegetation monitoring fieldwork involves daily hiking into the backcountry (off-trail) to remote sites, carrying backpacks with survey equipment and personal gear up to ~25 lbs (11 kg), and working in hot temperatures with little shade. Hiking can be over difficult terrain, often taking over an hour to reach sites, so this work is best suited to those with hiking experience and a love of the rugged outdoors.

The work schedule follows an 8-day on, 6-day off schedule with 10-hour workdays, 7 am–5 pm. Work is conducted away at different national parks, so you should expect to be away from the home office in Tucson for 8 days at a time and be required to camp in tents for up to 8 days at a time. Each year there are between 1–3 trips that involve backpacking into the higher-elevation wilderness of Saguaro National Park (animal packing support is provided). Field gear, such as backpacks, tents, sleeping bags/pads, compass, first aid kits and all camping cooking gear is provided. Interns are expected to bring suitable clothing and hiking boots.

Interns live and work at the Desert Research Learning Center (DRLC), located in Tucson, adjacent to Saguaro National Park. The DRLC provides comfortable, shared spaces for completing office tasks, such as data management. Living space for interns, provided free of charge as part of the internship, consists of a furnished private bedroom, with shared bathroom and kitchen spaces and a washer/dryer on site.

How do I apply?

International candidates should refer to the NPS International Volunteers webpage for details on IVIP applications, requirements for international visas, and monetary considerations.

In your application, please include details about your academic and professional experiences working in the outdoors while collecting data, camping and backpacking, and identifying plants. If you have any questions about working with the Sonoran Desert Network before you apply, please contact SODN vegetation ecologist Sarah Studd.