Rachel Carson NWR Salt Marsh Internship 2024
2024 Internship Opportunities
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine provides an opportunity to build your biological monitoring and management skills by working with a team of skilled field biologists. Interns are an essential part of our operations, and if selected, you will become a dynamic member of our skilled and motivated team.
Deadline to apply: 18 February 2024
General requirements:
- U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
- Valid state driver’s license.
- Must be able to work independently; must have good observational skills and communication skills.
- Schedule flexibility, including weekend, holidays, and morning/evening shifts.
- Willingness to follow federal COVID-19 policies and guidance.
Benefits:
- $450 weekly living stipend
- Free co-ed bunkhouse style lodging on Rachel Carson NWR (as COVID-19 regulations allow).
Modern furnished facilities with laundry and Wi-Fi may be available. - Professional development, training, and networking opportunities.
- Work vehicle and equipment provided.
Salt Marsh Internship:
12 weeks (~June 3rd – August 23rd, 2024)
One full-time intern is needed to support the USFWS Region 5 Land Management and Research Demonstration (LMRD) program at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine. The LMRD salt marsh intern will assist the LMRD program with pre- and post-restoration monitoring in salt marsh habitats. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting salt marsh field surveys/monitoring (70% of duties), data entry/management (20%), and equipment maintenance and other miscellaneous tasks (10%). The field component will primarily involve assisting staff with vegetation surveys, marsh surface elevation monitoring, deploying field equipment to capture water levels, using RTK-GNSS instrumentation to conduct elevation surveys, data recording, and establishing monitoring plots. Duties will also include maintaining a clean and organized workplace, interacting with the visiting public by answering frequently asked questions and maintaining visitor areas, and working alongside refuge volunteers and Youth Conservation Corps team members. There may be occasional opportunities to assist the refuge biological field staff with other habitat restoration and/or wildlife monitoring (e.g., shorebird monitoring) and assist with general refuge tasks (e.g., trail or kiosk maintenance).
This position requires a strong interest in coastal ecology and enthusiasm for field work. The intern must be able to work in small groups and independently with minimal supervision, follow written protocols, be attentive to details, accurately complete datasheets, and communicate with senior staff members. Familiarity and comfortability as a passenger on small watercraft are a plus. This position is heavily focused on field work tasks and the intern should expect to be in the field for at least a portion of each day and to conduct work in difficult outdoor conditions and environments (harsh sunlight to light rain, firm to unstable footing, moist to hip deep water), carry moderate loads (30-50 lbs), use hand tools, and be exposed to high humidity and biting insects for prolonged periods. Applicants should have the ability to identify coastal/estuarine plants using prior knowledge and/or field guides. Preferred candidates will have prior experience using ArcGIS Pro to create maps and view spatial data. The successful applicant will have basic statistical, GPS, and GIS knowledge. The intern may be required to work some weekends or holidays. Intern must possess valid driver’s license.
For more information about the LMRD Program visit https://www.fws.gov/project/land-management-
research-and-demonstration-areas.
How to Apply:
Email one application package(s) as a single .PDF file to RACHEL STEARNS (Rachel_Stearns@fws.gov) by 18 February 2024 that includes:
- Cover letter that addresses the listed qualifications for the position of interest
- Resume documenting your work experience, education, skills, interests, contact information, etc.
- Contact information for three references, of which a minimum of two must be professional and one may be academic (must include email and phone number for each reference (must include email and phone number for each reference).
- Unofficial copy of current college transcript.
- To be considered, application packet must have all four items, preferably combined into a single PDF file and follow the naming convention above.
- If applying to multiple Rachel Carson NWR internship positions, you must submit each as its own application package (properly named .PDF).
- Candidates are required to participate in a phone/MS Teams interview.
For More Information Contact:
Rachel Stearns
Biological Technician
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
321 Port Road
Wells, ME 04090
(207) 770-5651
Rachel_stearns@fws.gov
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel_carson/