Recreation Capacity Intern

Internship Title: Recreation Capacity Intern

Internship Site: Dept. of Forests, Parks, and Recreation Barre District Office

Description: The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation has been collecting a variety of data linked to usage of the public’s recreation-based resources. This information is a key tool in supporting the development of the recreation aspect of Long Range Management Plans, determining how resources are allocated to maintain recreation infrastructure, and to make decisions related to trail network growth or alteration.

The selected student intern will support the collection and processing of recreation-based data taken from the following methods:

• Infrared trail usage sensors: The intern will help coordinate sensor location, calibration, and data collection. Collected data will be uploaded to an on-line management area. Data will be correlated and linked to trail amenities such as parking areas to show capacity thresholds.
• User surveys: The intern will help design survey structure and develop a user-friendly method to give the survey in the field. The user survey will be administered by both the intern and contractors. The intern will help process the collected data for use in management decisions.
• ESRI Collector App: This app is being used to record the location and condition of all trail infrastructure on State Land. The intern will use this data to generate reports that will direct management decisions. Working with this data will require introductory knowledge of GIS.
• Parking area photos and vehicle tallies: Parking area usage data will be collected by contractors. The intern will help process this information by drawing correlations between the parking area data and trail counter data.

The processed data will be used to generate reports. Processed data will also be integrated into the ArcMap GIS program to create heatmaps and spatial imagery to relay the capacity constraints and demands that are placed on the recreation infrastructure on State Land.

Desired qualifications/skills/coursework: The intern must have proficiency with ArcGIS 10.x software and using hand-held GPS units to gather and transfer data into GIS. The intern must also have a strong foundation and interest in analytical statistic and be able to use Excel. The intern must be comfortable hiking alone over various terrains to collect trail data in the field, for up to 8 hours in a day. It will also be important that the intern be comfortable interacting with the general public. The intern must be able to travel independently to trail locations, and will be reimbursed for personal vehicle use for state purposes. The intern must be willing to travel state-wide, although a majority of the work will occur in central Vermont. A valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle with insurance are therefore required. Candidates should be self-motivated, comfortable working independently, well-organized, able to communicate well with project partners, and capable of setting and meeting project goals. The intern will have the ability to make reservations at Vermont State Parks to support field efforts.

Supervision:

Walter Opuszynski, Field Recreation Specialist, Barre FPR District Office, will direct the work and supervise the intern throughout the intern’s employment. Most of the work will be completed independently.

Start and End Dates: June 1 to August 15, but dates are negotiable.

Total Hours: 24 hours/week, 10 -12 weeks

Compensation:  $3,000 Stipend.  If you are offered and accept this internship, please be aware that your funding for this position is provided by CCI, and therefore you will be required to complete funded internship paperwork. 

 Reimbursement of mileage if personal vehicle is used for state purposes.

How to apply: Upload your RESUME, COVER LETTER and AN ACADEMIC REFERENCE (PROFESSOR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION) to Handshake by March 25, 2018 (11:55pm).