Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Landscape Architecture Intern
Job Description
January 2017
This intern reports to the Watershed Projects Director, Jennifer Buchanan. Ms. Buchanan has a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and has been with the Watershed Council since 2004.
Intern Responsibilities:
Low-impact development (LID) research project and outreach and education: The Watershed Council seeks to gather and compile current LID research and data that are relevant to Northern Michigan applications. The research will include a comprehensive assessment of LID practices and include their individual applicability, limitations, effectiveness, costs, and other details. The research will be translated into a report for community-wide distribution and a PowerPoint for future presentations.
Belvedere Golf Course Master Plan: The Watershed Council will partner with the Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix, MI, to develop a master plan that seeks to enhance the golf course’s water quality protection of Stover Creek. Stover Creek runs through the course and shows evidence of water quality degradation. The project will include working with the club’s management to implement the master planning process, which may include a series of charrettes, site plans, cost estimates, and best management practices. The resulting product will be used as a roadmap for future projects.
Elk River Chain of Lakes Shoreline Projects: As part of a Department of Environmental Quality grant, the Watershed Council will promote and implement 10 natural shoreline projects during 2017 and 2018. The project will include meeting with riparians, developing shoreline site plans (including bioengineering with native plants), coordinating installation with the contractor and property owners, and assisting with installation.
Natural Shoreline Projects Documentation: The Watershed Council has designed and installed over a hundred projects on Northern Michigan lakes and streams since the mid-1990s. The Watershed Council seeks to revisit many of these sites and document current conditions as a means to assess their long-term degree of success. The project will include a summary report and PowerPoint for future promotion of natural shorelines and bioengineering.
Native Plants: The Watershed Council promotes the use of Michigan native plants in shoreline, streambank, and stormwater/LID projects, such as rain gardens. The Watershed Council seeks to synthesize native plant information from several sources into one resource that may be used as a basis for a future publication. The project may include developing a database or other online resource (potentially housed within the Watershed Council’s website) that would be used by property owners or professionals who seek to use Michigan native plants in their shoreline, streambank, or stormwater projects.
Qualifications:
Must be pursuing a degree in Landscape Architecture or environmental design; possess strong written and verbal skills, and have a valid driver’s license. Strong computer skills also required. Submit a cover letter and resume. A small stipend will be provided. Anticipated work dates are mid-May through mid-August (13 weeks). Number of hours per week is 35 - 40. Start and end dates are flexible. Housing is not provided, but there is limited availability through a collaborative arrangement with the University of Michigan Biostation. Interested candidates should contact Jennifer Buchanan, Watershed Projects Director at (231) 347-1181, ext. 112, .
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
426 Bay St., Petoskey, MI 49770 231-347-1181 www.watershedcouncil.org