Overview

The CNPS Natalie Hopkins Conservation Intern is a temporary, part‐time to full-time non-exempt position directly supervised by the Conservation Program Manager and overseen by the Conservation Program Director. The Hopkins intern shall be employed a minimum of 1,040 hours to be completed between six months and one year. As a member of the Conservation Program team, the Natalie Hopkins intern works in support of on-going initiatives and campaigns with the goal of increasing CNPS’s capacity to advance the conservation of California wildlands and the species and natural communities they support, while training as an early career professional expected to make ongoing contributions toward conservation of California plants and places.

What You’ll Do

The Hopkins Intern’s primary role will be to assist volunteers and program staff in advocacy related to the impacts of cannabis cultivation. The intern will assist the Conservation Program Manager in planning and facilitating a multi-stakeholder forum focused on building understanding and relationships between diverse stakeholders and identifying potential solutions for cannabis-related issues that environmental advocates, growers, agencies, and local governments are facing. The intern will also assist the Conservation Program Manager with facilitating CNPS’s monthly cannabis meetings and cannabis-related projects and research. In addition to cannabis work, the intern will assist staff on other key conservation priorities by helping to write comment letters, assisting with Important Plant Areas program projects, and engaging in other forms of advocacy.

The Hopkins Intern’s other general responsibilities include providing logistical and communications support for the Conservation Program. Projects and tasks assigned will vary as priorities change and needs arise.

Cannabis Projects – 50%

  • Plan, organize, and facilitate a meeting of groups or individuals affected by or interested in cannabis cultivation, identify common problems or issues that all stakeholders face, and discuss potential solutions that a diverse group of stakeholders can collaboratively work toward implementing.
  • Research and synthesize news and information related to the environmental impacts of legal and illegal cannabis cultivation in California, legislation related to cannabis, and state and federal cannabis regulations and policy.
  • Assist Conservation Program Manager with facilitating monthly volunteer group focused on cannabis issues.

Program Support – 45%

  • Attend monthly meetings with CNPS conservation volunteers and provide updates on status of work assignments.
  • Review and provide feedback on fuel management projects around the state.
  • Support CNPS staff on advocacy (e.g. writing comment letters, preparing oral testimony) on key conservation issues.
  • Compile Important Plant Area data into reports and maps for advocacy needs.

Communications Support – 5%

  • Help craft communications related to projects in coordination with Conservation Program and Communications Program staff.
  • Help craft communications related to projects in coordination with Conservation Program, Important Plant Areas Program, and Communications Program staff.
  • Assist in communications with CNPS Chapter conservation volunteers.

Who You Are

  • Completed college-level coursework in Environmental Science, Ecology, Land Management Policy, Botany, Biology, Political Science, or a related area of study.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with people of different backgrounds.
  • Familiarity with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, e.g. ESRI ArcMap, ArcGIS Online.
  • Ability to maintain calm under pressure and under changing conditions.
  • Demonstrated ability to complete detail-oriented work with high level of accuracy working independently or with a team.

Nice to Have’s

While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all of these characteristics, the successful candidate will possess at least one – and ideally more than one – of the following:

  • Spatial data analysis using Python or R.
  • Ability to create web applications with ArcGIS Experience Builder, Dashboards, and Story Maps.
  • Knowledge of CNPS, familiarity with native plants and plant communities throughout California.
  • A commitment to habitat conservation, environmental justice, and public participation in decision making processes.
  • Strong grounding in the value of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice; understanding of how those values intersect with conservation.
  • Fluency in Spanish or other languages spoken by Californians.
  • Ability to manage multiple complex projects independently and efficiently.

What You’ll Get

  • Hourly rate of 19.54 – 21.05.
  • 100% of employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401 (k) retirement plan with up to 6% matching contributions, eligible immediately.
  • Annual paid leave benefits include 13 holidays, 12 sick/wellness days, and 10 paid vacation days.
  • A CNPS-issued laptop and remote work stipends.

Additional Job Information 

  • Work time is generally Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. Flexible work schedules are possible, with prior approval from the Conservation Program Manager or Program Director.
  • This is a remote position but may transition to a Sacramento-based position if work dictates and safety allows. Periodic travel to locations throughout California may be required.
  • A valid California driver’s license and proof of car insurance are required.

Physical Requirements

This job requires prolonged sitting and computer use. It may require participation in field trips on uneven trails with variable grade. These requirements are representative, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Policy 

CNPS’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. This policy demonstrates CNPS’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that values different perspectives and fosters belonging. To better understand the demographic profile of applicants, CNPS requests candidates to fill out the volunteer questionnaire that is part of the application form. Your responses will remain confidential, anonymized, and not shared with the hiring committee.

Tagged as: communications, conservation, plant science

About California Native Plant Society

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS, www.cnps.org) is the state’s leading voice in conservation, plant science, and native plant appreciation. Founded in 1965, with more than 11,000 members in 35 chapters across California and Baja California Mexico, CNPS’s mission is to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats, and increase understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. CNPS achieves this mission through nine programs: Conservation, Biodiversity, Rare Plant, Vegetation, Development, Education and Engagement, Horticulture, Operations, and Public Affairs.

The CNPS organizational structure consists of local chapters and their members, a Chapter Council, a Board of Directors, Executive Director, staff, and Program Committees. The Chapter Council is composed of a delegate representing each chapter. The Chapter Council elects the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and Chapter Council collaborate on important projects with joint committees composed of representatives from both bodies.

For more information, please visit www.cnps.org/