Trail Accessibility Assessment Intern
Golden Gate National Parks, Parkwide
Part Time, Spring Semester 2014
Available only to students currently enrolled at SFSU and CCSF
Overview
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a destination for both locals and international visitors with its sweeping vistas, immense biological diversity, and unique cultural resources. With over 15 million visitors annually and over 80,000 acres of land, the GGNRA is the largest urban national park in the country.
As part of the new Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas, soon to be adopted into US ADA and ABAAS regulations, all parks are going to be required to assess new and existing trails. This trail information will then be used to guide a process of upgrades to meet Accessible Trail guidelines. It will also drive a communication effort to educate the public about specific trail conditions: length, width, slope, side slope, and surface.
Overview of Position
Is a day outdoors your idea of the perfect job? Are you passionate about the hiking? Would you like to help the your local national park reach out all possible park visitors? Come help us gather data about our local hiking environment, and communicate it to all our visitors, and hikers yet to be.
We are looking for an intern interested in recreation, landscape architecture, and /or data collection and management to participate in a real world project.
With your help, the GGNRA can be prepared for new assessment and communication requirements. We will be able to start the public education process now, rather than scrambling to catch up.
Working as part of a team, the intern will conduct assessment tours of selected trails in the GGNRA, enter rigorously structured data into a Trail Assessment Software System, and help drive trail maintenance and upgrade projects for the future.
Description of Duties
· Assess Trails
o Train for the use of a HETAP (High Efficiency Trail Assesment Program) software system
o Train for the use of a rolling instrument platform that collects using digital clinometers, distance measurements, GPS, digital images, and user entered observation data into the HETAP
o Travel to trailhead locations throughout the park, and push the HETAP collection device along trails, entering data along the way
o Collate and transfer the HETAP data into NPS server database
o Summarize collected trail assessments for use in trailhead kiosk signs, maps, and the NPS and GGNPC websites
· Other Duties
o Educate and enlighten visitors by answering questions
o Note and communicate immediate safety concerns to trail maintenance crew
o Participate in trainings and education opportunities provided by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Benefits
· Gain professional development in a team setting at a highly respected non-profit organization that has a model partnership between 3 agencies: National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and the Bridge District
· Learn to conduct research using automated data collection equipment in the field
· Learn to visually assess other conditions, and integrate this information into auto data collection system
· Participate in developing report formats to support park divisions involved in trail design, maintenance, and communication
· Great opportunity to work with staff and volunteers from a diverse backgrounds, while engaging visitors to become future park stewards
· Opportunity for personal/professional development days to pursue an interest, including training and education in various departments within the Park Service and Parks Conservancy
· Fifty Dollar ($50.00) per day stipend available, plus academic credit
Desired Qualifications
· Interest in hiking and outdoor recreation
· At least basic computer skills, database management a plus
· Some interest in landscape architecture and design, or resource management
· Energetic and self-motivated
· Good communication skills, respect for others
· Ability to work with a diversity of people with different backgrounds, ethnicity, races, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints
· Ability to work independently once provided direction
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
· Intern will work both indoors and outdoors, but mostly outdoors. Weather conditions vary from day to day
· This is a physically strenuous job- most days will require walking 8-12 miles, pushing a 30 lbs. wheeled cart
· Ability to climb steep hills, and load and unload equipment from a van
· Intern will be required to collect and enter data into a custom software system
Terms
· Desired Start Date: January 2014
· 2 – 3 days per week, January through May. Summer (full time) extension possible. Schedule will include some nights and weekends.
· Available only to students currently enrolled in SF State and City College of San Francisco
To apply for this position, please send a resume and a thoughtful cover letter to . Please indicate the position title in your email subject line. In the letter, please indicate your preference if applying to more than one internship. No phone calls please.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service are committed to diversity in the workplace. Minorities and people of color are encouraged to apply.