The LCBP periodically offers internships to support specific projects, initiatives, or programmatic needs that help to achieve the strategies of the Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action. The LCBP also will consider unsolicited internship applications. Unsolicited internship applications are more likely to be supported if the applicant provides a specific project or initiative on which they would like to work, a clear deliverable or project outcome, and a time frame for the work. The LCBP will contact an applicant if the proposed internship is a good match for our current work.
Internships provide an opportunity to build skills, a resume, and professional networks. Applicants are expected to have some knowledge of the subject area in which they propose working. Interns should be able to work independently and represent the LCBP in a professional manner.
All paid interns are employees of NEIWPCC, the fiscal agent for the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Visit the NEIWPCC internships webpage for more information and to submit an application for an internship with the LCBP. Please be sure to include “LCBP” in the subject header or email of your application submission.
Environmental Sensitivity Index Mapping internship (solicited)
July–September 2020
Internship Description: The intern conducted a foundational data resource inventory and identified remaining data needs to inform Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps for the Lake Champlain shoreline with partners in accordance with an EPA-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan, with assistance from LCBP, including Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, United States Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Geological Survey, Adirondack Park Agency, New York Natural Heritage Program, the States of Vermont and New York, and the Province of Québec. This internship provided valuable networking opportunities and knowledge of the Lake Champlain Basin as the intern interacted with federal, state, and regional partners on this issue and strengthened their organizational, data management, and professional communication skills through this experience.
Project Summary: Created a comprehensive list of data resources that are needed to meet, at minimum, the base requirements of NOAA’s ESI maps; and began to identify, with partners in the ESI Workgroup, which data resources are already available in the region and which data sources need to be created.
Major Product: Analysis of Environmental Sensitivity Mapping efforts in the Lake Champlain basin to-date and next steps to move this work forward.
Economic Valuation Needs Assessment Intern
July-December 2021
Internship Description: The intern developed a summary of existing economic valuation studies and a methodology for a needs assessment to inform the scope for a comprehensive study of the valuation of clean water to the Lake Champlain Basin with assistance from LCBP and partners, including the Economic Valuation Planning Committee. This internship provided valuable networking opportunities and knowledge of the Lake Champlain Basin as they interacted with federal, state, and regional partners on this issue and strengthened their organizational, research, and professional communication skills through this experience.
Major Product: Foundational summary of existing economic valuation studies that framed conversations about gaps, feasible questions, and potential methodologies for end-users. Draft tool and pilot of tool to conduct needs assessment with the target audience and end-users identified by the Economic Valuation Planning Committee.