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Recreational Use Surveyance Intern - Summer 2025

Organization Overview

The Henry’s Fork Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to conserve, protect, and restore the unique fisheries, wildlife, and water resources of the Henry’s Fork Watershed. HFF uses a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve its mission and works closely with water users, hydroelectric power companies, government agencies, and other nonprofit groups.

Internship Responsibilities

• Complete the necessary training to meet the project’s objectives.
• Work with the Henry’s Fork Foundation and the University of Idaho to survey recreational users at Harriman State Park.
• Collect data at various access sites along the Henry’s Fork within Harriman State Park.
• Learn how to collect and analyze datasets and communicate this information to a variety of stakeholders.
• The workload distribution will be ~80% fieldwork, and ~20% officework.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license
• Interest in scientific research and science communication.
• Basic coursework in environmental science, statistics, ecology, and/or biology.
• Some experience working with R or a similar program.
• Ability to work independently on some tasks and as a member of a team on others.
• Ability to work outside and carry ~25lbs.
• Good at communicating and able to work as a team player with staff from HFF and partner organizations in field, laboratory, and office settings
• Personal vehicle (will have access to HFF vehicles for work purposes only)
• Ability to work ~40 hrs a week

Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week, on average. The work week starts with a mandatory staff meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday. For the first 2 weeks of the internship, expect to work more than 40 hours, including some evenings and weekends. These weeks will be filled with orientation and training events-including CPR and first aid for those not currently certified-and with Henry’s Fork Days, a week of HFF’s most important outreach and fundraising events. During the 2nd week of June, all interns will be expected to assist the fundraising and event team attended by 600 of HFF’s most dedicated supporters. Workdays during this second week of the internship can begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and end as late as 10:30 p.m. Interns will be given extra time off around July 4 to compensate for the additional work time. During the first few weeks, all interns will also participate in educational short courses focused on hydrology and water rights, data analysis and statistics, fundraising, and communications.

Additional Work Expectations

• May be asked to assist with various other HFF projects including restoration projects, water quality monitoring, and education and outreach events.

Mentor

• The mentor is Dr. Chris Czajchowski at the University of Idaho.  You will be assisting with his research.
• The intern will also work closely with HFF’s intern coordinator, Jasper Davis.

The Watershed

The 3,200-square mile Henry’s Fork watershed lies at the headwaters of the Snake River in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming. The Continental Divide, Yellowstone Plateau, and Teton Range form the watershed’s northern and eastern boundaries. Elevations range from 4,300 feet above sea level at the bottom of the watershed to over 10,000 feet along the Teton crest. Irrigated farms of potatoes, grains, and hay dominate land use in the lower half of the watershed. At higher elevations, National Forest and other public lands provide outstanding outdoor recreation, including hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, hunting, cycling, and snow sports. The watershed is very rural, with a total population of around 70,000 people. Agriculture and tourism are the largest economic sectors; HFF’s work seeks to maintain a balance between water use for agriculture and streamflow to support world-class fishing and related ecological resources.

Living Arrangements

Interns from out of the Henry’s Fork area will live in a co-ed dorm space at HFF’s campus in Ashton, a farming community of 1,000 people. The campus is housed in Ashton’s old community hospital, which was completely refurbished in 2017 to house HFF’s offices, laboratory, interpretive center, and intern/graduate student housing. The dorm space consists of two bunk rooms, two large bathroom/shower facilities, a large open kitchen, laundry facilities, and a living room. Bunk rooms and bathrooms will be gender-separated, but all other living space is shared. Housing, including linens and all kitchen implements, is provided by HFF, but interns are responsible for their own meals. If any intern would like to live in separate housing, it is their responsibility to find and pay for separate housing arrangements before the internship begins. They will also be responsible for driving to and from HFF in their own vehicle without fuel reimbursement.

Other than businesses oriented primarily toward tourism and agriculture (auto parts and repair, hardware, etc.), services in Ashton are limited to a small health clinic and pharmacy, one grocery store, a dollar store, and five small eating establishments (Mexican, three traditional American diners/drive-ins, and a pizza/sandwich shop). The grocery store is well stocked for a small town but does not carry much in the way of organic and natural foods and is difficult to access from HFF’s campus because of a busy highway crossing with no stoplight or pedestrian facilities. The nearest large supermarkets, Walmart, drug stores, and other business are located in Rexburg, about 25 miles southwest of Ashton. There are a few restaurants with broader menu options located in the tourist area of Island Park, 20-30 miles north of Ashton. The closest natural-food stores and restaurants, “finer” dining establishments, and “night life” (e.g., weekly outdoor concerts) are located in Teton Valley, 40-50 miles southeast of Ashton. The closest regional airport is located in Idaho Falls 53 miles southwest of Ashton. The closest international airport is located in Salt Lake City (SLC) 220 miles south of Ashton. The Salt Lake Express shuttle runs from the airport to Rexburg several times a day, but should be booked in advance.

The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a one-hour drive from Ashton, and Jackson, Wyoming is about a 90-minute drive. The best climbing and hiking opportunities are 45-60 minutes from Ashton, although outstanding fly fishing can be found 5 minutes away from the campus. An out-of-state fishing license costs $108. Some of HFF’s boats and rafts are available for intern recreational use after hours and on weekends, when not being used for HFF’s field work. HFF provides company vehicles for work but does not provide vehicles for interns to use on their personal time. Although not required, a personal vehicle is strongly recommended to allow full enjoyment of the area’s recreational opportunities. Interns without vehicles must rely on those with vehicles for transportation to and from shopping and activities.