What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Diversity Intern position at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture?
Location: Stone Barns Center For Food & Agriculture
Supervisor: Ecological Monitoring Coordinator, Director of Ecological Monitoring
Employment Classification: Internship - hourly, non-exempt
Frequency of Pay: Bi-weekly
Compensation: $17/hr
Schedule: June 2 - August 15, 2025. Up to 30 hours/week for 9-10 weeks. Monday through Thursday, some flexibility with advance notice.
This is an opportunity for individuals currently studying environmental science or biology who are interested in participating in and supporting an extensive ArcGIS-based ecological monitoring program on a diversified working farm, primarily on pastures grazed by cattle and goats. This work will help build an understanding of how decisions affect the health of the soil, water quality, plants, and biotic communities we steward. Findings will inform creative solutions to food system issues and how our food choices can impact the land.
Working under a variety of field conditions (e.g. sun, heat, insects, rain, and dense vegetation), you will investigate plant diversity across the farm landscape. Primary work will include conducting line intercept plant surveys on 72 grassland and 18 woodland plant transects. Other duties may include assisting with invasive and rare species surveys, forage quality sampling, and tree surveys. While plant monitoring will be your primary focus, all interns will be expected to work collaboratively to achieve the overall goals of the monitoring program.
This individual will gain a deep understanding of how the ecological data is used in conjunction with various areas of focus on the farm through collaboration and scheduled check-ins with Stone Barns Center leaders and other interns. This cross-departmental opportunity will allow the individual to obtain valuable professional work experience, knowledge and skills.
Responsibilities
This is a highly physical role. While performing these job duties, the individual is regularly required to see and reach. The individual is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand for long periods of time (e.g., up to 8 hours or longer). The individual is required to use dominant hand coordination for simple grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation. The individual is also required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, kneel, and reach above shoulder level. The individual may be exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, dampness, moving machinery, food allergens, and cleaning agents. Due to the nature of the farming industry, the individual may be required to work longer hours and varying schedules to reflect the business needs, which may include weekends and holidays. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, so long as they do not cause undue hardship.
Preferred Skills / Knowledge
For over 20 years, Stone Barns Center and Blue Hill have demonstrated the power of farmer-chef collaborations to inspire change in the food system. We are now poised to deepen our impact and address some of the greatest environmental, health, and economic challenges of our time. We have a bold vision to catalyze an ecological food culture that supports a thriving regenerative food and farm economy.
We will build on our long standing work at the intersection of farmers and chefs to activate critical areas with the potential for exponential impact on ecological and human health, farm viability, and other elements of thriving food systems. In service of this vision, we will reimagine how we use our Lower Hudson Valley campus to serve as the R&D lab for the ecological food culture we seek.
Stone Barns Center is committed to equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this learning opportunity.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify
Supervisor: Ecological Monitoring Coordinator, Director of Ecological Monitoring
Employment Classification: Internship - hourly, non-exempt
Frequency of Pay: Bi-weekly
Compensation: $17/hr
Schedule: June 2 - August 15, 2025. Up to 30 hours/week for 9-10 weeks. Monday through Thursday, some flexibility with advance notice.
This is an opportunity for individuals currently studying environmental science or biology who are interested in participating in and supporting an extensive ArcGIS-based ecological monitoring program on a diversified working farm, primarily on pastures grazed by cattle and goats. This work will help build an understanding of how decisions affect the health of the soil, water quality, plants, and biotic communities we steward. Findings will inform creative solutions to food system issues and how our food choices can impact the land.
Working under a variety of field conditions (e.g. sun, heat, insects, rain, and dense vegetation), you will investigate plant diversity across the farm landscape. Primary work will include conducting line intercept plant surveys on 72 grassland and 18 woodland plant transects. Other duties may include assisting with invasive and rare species surveys, forage quality sampling, and tree surveys. While plant monitoring will be your primary focus, all interns will be expected to work collaboratively to achieve the overall goals of the monitoring program.
This individual will gain a deep understanding of how the ecological data is used in conjunction with various areas of focus on the farm through collaboration and scheduled check-ins with Stone Barns Center leaders and other interns. This cross-departmental opportunity will allow the individual to obtain valuable professional work experience, knowledge and skills.
Responsibilities
- Identify plant species in grassland and forest habitats in accordance with Stone Barns monitoring protocols and enter into our ArcGIS database using mobile field apps
- Collect samples of all new species encountered and press for preservation
- Complete forage sampling and calculation of available biomass in pastures
- Conduct basic analysis and summary of the incoming data
- Assist with presentation of information to the team and stakeholders in verbal or written format
- Participate occasionally in pastured livestock activities with the Livestock team
- Other ecological monitoring projects and assignments as needed
- Stone Barns Center will provide educational materials at no cost.
This is a highly physical role. While performing these job duties, the individual is regularly required to see and reach. The individual is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand for long periods of time (e.g., up to 8 hours or longer). The individual is required to use dominant hand coordination for simple grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation. The individual is also required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, kneel, and reach above shoulder level. The individual may be exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, dampness, moving machinery, food allergens, and cleaning agents. Due to the nature of the farming industry, the individual may be required to work longer hours and varying schedules to reflect the business needs, which may include weekends and holidays. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, so long as they do not cause undue hardship.
Preferred Skills / Knowledge
- Committed to exploring the intersection between a food and farming culture
- Able to follow a research project through to the end report and to integrate feedback from collaborators and organizational leaders throughout the process
- Interested in learning to use GIS, and basic database software, for data entry and basic analysis
- Able to work effectively in a variety of environmental conditions (heat, rain, insects, etc.)
- Pursuing studies in environmental science or biology, with a preference for a strong background in plant biology, field plant ID, and/or ecology
- Proficient in plant ID skills and the skills to pursue difficult plant identifications
- Able to work independently and as a part of an academic pod
- Effective in verbal, written and interpersonal communications; able to communicate clearly with various personnel to share/gather information
- Experienced with field work, sample collection, and data organization/entry
For over 20 years, Stone Barns Center and Blue Hill have demonstrated the power of farmer-chef collaborations to inspire change in the food system. We are now poised to deepen our impact and address some of the greatest environmental, health, and economic challenges of our time. We have a bold vision to catalyze an ecological food culture that supports a thriving regenerative food and farm economy.
We will build on our long standing work at the intersection of farmers and chefs to activate critical areas with the potential for exponential impact on ecological and human health, farm viability, and other elements of thriving food systems. In service of this vision, we will reimagine how we use our Lower Hudson Valley campus to serve as the R&D lab for the ecological food culture we seek.
Stone Barns Center is committed to equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this learning opportunity.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify
Salary : $17
