Monday, October 27, 2014

Globalization and Community Health Field School: Combining Social Science and Engineering in Costa Rica

The course is an intensive study abroad program led by Dr.Nancy Romero-Daza, PhD, that addresses community health issues. This course offers a hands on experience in applied anthropology, and environmental and civil engineering.




Thursday, October 23, 2014

Rockford Park District Seasonal Employment

Natural Areas Maintenance Internships - Rockford Park District

JOB DESCRIPTION
Primary duties emphasize field implementation of restoration work and or monitoring native systems, including but not limited to brush removal and herbicide application; exotic weed control; seed collection, processing and planting; wildlife management; and wetland and stream restoration; collection and analysis of biological data, and ecosystem surveys.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE: 
Intern will gain an understanding of how and why ecological restoration is practiced in Northern Illinois natural areas.   Furthermore, interns will have the opportunity to learn about the operations of other RPD Departments, such as Horticulture and Urban Forestry.

QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Applicants should have a minimum of 1 year of course work in ecology, biology, geography, natural resource management, earth sciences or a related conservation field; willingness to acquire Illinois herbicide operator’s license; possess a current, valid driver’s license. Internship involves outdoor work in all weather conditions as well as indoor work, involving both light and heavy lifting. Frequent amount of time spent walking and moderate time spent sitting and standing. Possible work hazards include herbicides/pesticides operation, use of power equipment (i.e. chainsaws), and contact with nature (i.e. bees, insects/spiders, poison ivy, etc.).

SCHEDULE: 
Mid/late May through August; up to 40 hour work week Monday through Friday, usually 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m with occasional overtime and weekend / holiday work. **

WAGES & BENEFITS: 
$9.00 per hour, college credit is possible as approved by applicant’s institution and advisor.

APPLICATION: 
Send cover letter and resume of relevant training and experience, dates of availability, and (unofficial) transcript. Evaluation of applications begins as they are received so early application is encouraged.
  
CONTACT:
Nathan Hill
Supervisor, Horticulture and Natural Areas
Rockford Park District
Mobile: 815 289-9901
Mail: 401 S. Main St. STE 117, Rockford, IL 61101


**They have 3 general options for employment –
1. Now through December 31, 2014 finishing State Wildlife Grant at Searls Park Prairie Nature Preserve, Work involves bobcat operation, chainsaw, spraying herbicides, seed collection, seeding, mowing and prescribed fire.
2. Starting around March 2015 up to about October 2015 general natural areas restoration work, spraying, mowing, planting, seeding, seed collection, tree planting etc
3. Starting Spring 2015 monitoring and research opportunities. Update Rockford Park District Tree Inventory using GIS/GPS, Conduct  Insect/Butterfly monitoring at Searls Park Praire Nature Preserve, Conduct Plant/Forest monitoring at various high quality natural areas. Any other research or monitoring you would be interested in doing that fits with our management goals.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Herbicide Training and Testing Workshops with The Nature Conservancy



Graduate Student research positions

FUNDED MA AND PHD RESEARCH POSITIONS IN POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF RESOURCE GOVERNANCE OF FORESTS/PLANTATIONS, FISHERIES/AQUACUTURE IN MAINLAND SOUTHEAST ASIA

Drs. Peter Vandergeest, Robin Roth (Department of Geography, York University), and Melissa Marschke (School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa) are recruiting several MA and up to two PhD students beginning September 2015 as part of the SSHRC-funded project "New Directions in Environmental Governance:  Remaking Public and Private Authority in Southeast Asian Resource Frontiers  

Students will be provided with fieldwork funding, guidance, and opportunities for both in-depth fieldwork and research dissemination on a multi-sited research project in Southeast Asia. The study will examine the emerging relationships between private, public, and local authorities in forestry and fisheries, defined to include plantations and aquaculture.  The focus will be on how emerging governance arrangements for forestry and fisheries remake the ways that farmers, fishers, and workers access land and natural resources in the Southeast Asia uplands and coastal zones.

Applicants must have an appropriate background in a relevant field, including Human Geography; Development Studies, Political Ecology; Environmental Studies; Anthropology; or Southeast Asian Studies. Applicants with previous research or applied experience will be particularly competitive.  

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest and current CV to Peter Vandergeest (pvander@yorku.ca), Robin Roth (rothr@yorku.ca) and/or Melissa Marschke (melissa.marschke@uottawa.ca) by November 5, 2014.


The deadline for admission to York's Graduate Program in Geography is January 14, 2015. More information on the department can be found at:http://www.yorku.ca/gradgeog/.   The deadline for admission to U Ottawa’s Graduate Program in International Development and Global Studies is January 15, 2015. More information can be found at: http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/dvm/graduate-studies

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

NOAA has a new social scientist opening in their DC climate office

Social Scientist Position open in the NOAA Climate Program Office:

This position offers a rare opportunity for a social scientist with management experience to join a dynamic group of experts working on and managing projects related to the societal dimensions of climate. The position will provide management and support for research, assessments, and climate services development activities designed to bring sound, interdisciplinary science to bear on climate sensitive resource management and adaptation challenges in key sectors and regions. In particular, the specific area of focus for this position will be NOAA’s Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) Program, which supports physical and social science research and engages resource managers, communities, and government agencies in the use of climate information. The Climate Program Office is located in Silver Spring, MD. 

The details can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/383035600 until October 15.

MS in Environmental Sciences at Emory


Monday, October 6, 2014

Join the Green Corps

Green Corps


Part One: Classroom Training

Green Corps trainees participate in eight weeks of intensive classroom training conducted by representatives from a wide range of organizations and campaigns. Past trainers include Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org; Phil Radford, former executive director of Greenpeace; Margie Alt, executive director of Environment America; and other respected leaders who have contributed to the growth and victories of major environmental organizations over the past three decades.
Through instruction and practice, our staff and trainers present overviews on the biggest issues facing our environment and case studies on defining campaigns as well as teaching a variety of valuable skills, such as volunteer recruitment, campaign planning, public speaking, fundraising, and much more.

Part Two: Field Training on Real Campaigns

Green Corps organizers receive the bulk of their training through hands-on experience working on behalf of organizations such as the Sierra Club and Food & Water Watch. Organizers are able to implement classroom training skills working on some of the most pressing issues of the day with responsibilities including recruiting, training and supervising volunteers; organizing visibility events; securing media coverage; and building strong coalitions.
Green Corps organizers lead three to five different campaigns in communities across the country. By working with several different campaign partners, organizers experience a diversity of issues, tactics and organizations. Green Corps organizers travel to different cities for campaigns, allowing them to work with different communities and constituencies.
For example, a team of organizers last year helped run a campaign that persuaded Kellogg’s to pressure its supplier of palm oil to stop destroying tropical forests.
Other Green Corps organizers have played critical roles in the retirement of over a dozen coal-fired power plants on the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign.

Part Three: After Your Green Corps Year

After completing the training program, Green Corps connects graduates to groups looking to hire full-time staff. Our alumni now work with organizations such as Environment America, the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Corporate Accountability International, Rainforest Action Network, National Wildlife Federation, 350.org, and NRDC, among others. Due to Green Corps’ rigorous training program and the great need for trained organizers in many social change organizations, Green Corps organizers are often able to find professional positions immediately after completing the program.

Location and Salary

Salary for this position is $25,000. Green Corps offers a competitive benefits package. Eligible staff receive paid holidays, sick days, and vacation days; and the opportunity to enroll in our group health care, college loan assistance programs. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.
We take into consideration location preferences as well as people's skill sets to see where organizers will make the biggest impact and receive the best training experience.