Aquatic Monitoring Intern

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: Summer 2023, dates TBD  Compensation: Unpaid

The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation manages 14 percent of the land in New York City with facilities ranging from playgrounds and large parks to tranquil wooded areas and more than 14 miles of beaches. Parks serve as New Yorkers’ backyards, as vital meeting areas for outdoor play and recreation – but also as an important tool in mitigating the effects of climate change, critical engines for economic growth and development.
NYC Parks’ mission is to grow, maintain, and program a world-class park system prioritizing equity, access, safety, and nature. Highlights of Parks’ work over the last year include: 
• Expanding our tree canopy by planting a milestone 13,000 trees in FY22 -- more trees than were planted in the past five fiscal years
• Building and improving our spaces with more than 600 capital projects across the city in progress
• Increasing hours at nine of our Recreation Centers, giving New Yorkers greater access to positive programming and safe spaces
The work of our staff goes far beyond the maintenance of New York City's nearly 30,000 acres and more than 2.5 million trees. Parks is the City's leading programmer of cultural, athletic, and social activities, including nature walks, volunteer programs, sports clinics, historic house tours, and much more. In addition, Parks produces special events, concerts and movie premieres, and manages agreements with more than 300 businesses that operate on public parkland.

UNIT DESCRIPTION
Natural Resources Group (NRG) is a division within NYC Parks & Recreation (Parks) and is responsible for acquisition, protection, restoration, and management of remnant and restored natural areas within the nearly 29,000 acres of City parkland. NRG develops natural area management and restoration programs and provides technical research that aids in the protection of the City’s natural resources. The Wetlands Team within NRG, which focuses on the assessment, management and restoration of wetlands and riparian resources, has positions available for qualified interns.

Responsibilities/Duties

The 2023 spring/summer Aquatic Monitoring Intern (2 positions) will work closely with the Ecologist and other staff at NRG to monitor aquatic habitat in the Bronx River and at lakes and ponds throughout NYC. The position is 20-35 hours/week; flexible/by arrangement and is largely field-oriented with two half-day per week at a desk, the intern’s responsibilities will include:

  • Monitoring diadromous fish populations on the Bronx River
  • Independently collecting environmental, aquatic organism, and water quality (including Harmful Algal Blooms) data to evaluate habitat condition
  • Entering monitoring data and uploading photo and video data into office database
  • Assisting with quality control of all data and databases
  • Assisting with data analysis and reporting
  • Working with staff to train and educate volunteers and students in aquatic monitoring activities

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Current college students or recent graduate with a background or strong interest in aquatic ecology and wildlife
  • Experience with field data collection
  • Knowledge of fish and macroinvertebrate species
  • Familiarity with aquatic wildlife population and water quality monitoring techniques
  • Ability to independently work in and travel to field sites
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and written communication skills
  • Ability to work in challenging outdoor environments and weather conditions

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please email cover letter and resume to Leslie.Nusblatt@parks.nyc.gov

Movement in the face of civil service lists is prohibited under civil service law. The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy

Telecommunications device for the deaf: (212) 504-4115

Contact Information

NYC Parks
Website: Apply Online