Forestry Institute Crew Intern

Working with Glacier Peak Institute is a unique opportunity to work in outdoor education and recreation in a beautiful mountain community! Enveloped in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, Glacier Peak Institute (GPI) empowers youth, community, and ecosystems to prosper and cultivate a shared resilient future through action-based outdoor education. GPI provides STrEaMs based education to rural youth (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math experienced through recreation and art to gain skills) as well as having and operating a youth forestry crew.

Interns should be passionate about empowering at-risk youth, and willing to serve both directly and behind the scenes. These positions are vital to our capacity as we are a very small non-profit serving in an under resourced community. Our internship program is designed to provide valuable professional and personal experiences.

Job Summary: The Forestry Crew Intern will assist the Forest Crew Lead in supervising a crew of 5 high school youth on projects relating to forestry. As a team, the Crew Lead and Intern will plan and implement activities in collaboration with Glacier Peak Institute and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The work will support the US Forest Service (USFS) native tree restoration projects, improve trails, restore culturally significant resources, and improve wildlife habitat and forest infrastructure while simultaneously getting exposure to careers in forestry and natural resources. This position will be composed mostly of field work and much of the days will be spent in the backcountry, both on day trips and overnights.

We are hiring 1 intern for this position


Dates: June-August **dates are flexible

Interviews: Ongoing until position is filled

Location: Darrington, WA

Supervisors: GPI Executive Director, Forestry Crew Lead

Pay and Housing: Stipend of $500 a month. Shared housing will be provided.

To Apply: please send your cover letter and resume to info@glacierpeakinstitute.org

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Maintain a healthy work environment and assure the safety of the crew at all times

  • Supervise and collaborate with part time high school crew on projects

  • Develop and coordinate projects with Glacier Peak staff, volunteers, government agencies and local specialists. Partners include US Forest Service, National Park Service, WA Department of Natural Resources, and more

  • Create safety and activity implementation protocols, organize/maintain equipment and gear

  • Safely drive the crew to and from work location each day, usually on gravel roads

  • Mark trees for pruning and removal following specific guidelines

  • Keep track of work completed on forms, spreadsheets, and/or maps

  • Provide a positive and diligent work ethic to high schoolers, help teach job expectations and responsibility

  • Work with the youth crew to reteach lessons learned in the field biweekly

  • Learn why tree genetics are important in forestry, and how to keep trees healthy

  • Collect native grass seed and tree cones for use in native plant restoration

  • Aid USFS in trail maintenance of trails and removal of noxious weeds

Required Qualifications:

  • Must be 21 years of age

  • Must have a valid drivers license

  • Preferred up-to-date first aid certification (such as WFA, WFR, CPR/First Aid)