Biology and Visitor Services Intern – Hobe Sound, FL

Organization: Greening Youth Foundation (GYF), at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

Job Title: Biology and Visitor Services Intern

Location: Hobe Sound, FL

Hours and Compensation: Approximately 13 weeks, the selected applicant will be paid a stipend of $297.50 a week, plus $66 per month

Position Dates: Start around July 16th, 2012 and go for 13 weeks or so

Application Deadline: July 16th, 2012

Posted On: July 13th, 2012

Description

The main emphasis of this position is to provide the public with safe, accessible, and quality wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation) as described in the Refuge Improvement Act of 1997.

Responsibilities

• Gopher tortoise inventory and monitoring efforts
• Shorebird surveys, scrub condition assessments
• Sea turtle nesting survey preparation
• Play an important role in our exotic pest plant control efforts which would include treatment support and inventory accounting.
• Provide fee collection area support, specifically collecting fees, disseminating information and interacting with the public at our Jupiter Island beach access area
• Design, provide messaging, and facilitate the development of new and updated visitor service infrastructure – kiosks and information boards- to bring forth messages concerning threats to ecosystems and habitats including those from climate change and sea level rise
• Create new messaging area for the cultural and archeological resources
• Provide support with as needed refuge administrative functions

The Student Intern will be supervised by a lead staff designated by the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. The intern will follow standard operating procedures when performing duties. Formal and on-the-job training is conducted during the first week of duty. Intern will also received guidance from other designated refuge staff. Work will be reviewed by the designated Refuge Staff Supervisor. The intern’s performance will be evaluated mid-season and end-of-season.

Qualifications

Selected candidate should be willing and able to:

• Stand for extended periods while working
• Pass a federal background check
• Participate in mandatory training
• Engage in activities that communicate the USFWS mission to their family and community through various avenues
• Communicate efficiently in writing, orally, and through various social media avenues
• Tour of duty is typically five days a week, 8 hours a day. However, if necessary activities fall on weekends, Intern’s schedule will have to accommodate those activities.

Candidate must have completed two years of undergraduate coursework.

Academic backgrounds desired are Environmental Science, Biological Science, Forestry, or related fields.

Candidates should be from diverse backgrounds and be between the ages of 18 and 25.

How to Apply