Summer Management Intern

About the Office of the Duke Forest:

The Office of the Duke Forest (ODF) is the university department responsible for the management and stewardship of the Duke Forest Teaching and Research Laboratory. The mission of the Duke Forest is to facilitate research that addresses fundamental and applied questions across a variety of disciplines and to aid in the instruction of all students in their pursuit of knowledge, especially regarding the stewardship of our natural resources.

In total, the Duke Forest is approximately 7,100 acres in Durham, Orange, and Alamance counties. Management of the Duke Forest is guided by a comprehensive plan that promotes the Forest’s academic mission while ensuring the protection of its natural resources. Five major management priorities that aim to maximize a wide variety of forest benefits guide the allocation of forest resources, and in particular, direct staff time and energy. These priorities also underlie strategic efforts to enhance the value of the Duke Forest as a Duke University and community asset. More information is available at: dukeforest.duke.edu.

General Position Summary:

Duke Forest summer management interns are exposed to all aspects of managing a multi-use forest. The full-time summer intern works closely with the Forest Supervisor, Technician, and Maintenance and Infrastructure Manager and may be assigned special projects, depending on current needs. In some circumstances, interns may also spend some portion of time on a self-directed, forest-related research project. Otherwise, typical duties include:

• Assisting in forest management activities such as timber sales, invasive species control, continuous forest inventory sampling, and boundary line maintenance.

• Assisting in recreation management activities such as trail maintenance, blazing, trimming, and detection/monitoring of unauthorized activities.

• Assisting in operations such as road maintenance, vehicle maintenance, and research project set-up and tear down.

• Assisting with infrastructure maintenance and improvements, including painting forest gates, cleaning forest signs, and maintaining picnic shelters.

• Assisting with ongoing projects or annual events such as monitoring Natural Heritage and High Conservation Value areas and facilitating the on-going “Good Leashes Make Good Neighbors’ campaign.

• Assisting with communications, outreach, and engagement including but not limited to supporting work on the Duke Forest Facebook page and offering tours and volunteer events.

• Maintaining and improving infrastructure, including forest gates, signs, and picnic shelters.

Qualifications

• Working towards a degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related field.

• Experience identifying common NC Piedmont plant species, both native and non-native.

• Experience with forest mensuration ideal.

• Ability to use a GPS and navigate confidently in the field.

• Valid NC or another driver’s license required.

The successful applicant will be a self-starter and safety conscious, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and be physically fit enough to endure 8-hour days in the field. This is primarily a field-based position so applicants must be comfortable working alone or in groups, in diverse forest types, and in various weather conditions. Some weekend work may be required.

This is a full-time, 13-week paid summer internship supported by the Bruce and Ginny Roberts Duke Forest Internship Fund. Position runs from June to August; exact start and end dates are negotiable.

To apply:

Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter to zach.carnegie@duke.edu with the subject line: 2025 Duke Forest – Summer Management Internship. Applications will be accepted and processed on a rolling basis. Selected applicants will be contacted for phone and/or in-person interviews.