Please use this code to waive the application fee: CMA21INTERN
Sea Turtle Nesting
The Sea Turtle Nesting internship is designed to give college students, or recent graduates, an opportunity to perform field research that is reported to government agencies. Interns will be trained to patrol 20.8 miles of beach, using CMA vehicles, and identify crawl tracks that nesting adult female sea turtles leave behind on the beach. Interns will also be responsible for scientific data collection, marking new nests, responding to activities that negatively impact nests such as depredation, washovers/washouts, excavating nests after they hatch, respond to adult and /or hatchling disorientation events, nighttime nest observations if needed, artificial lighting surveys, hatchling releases, public education and presentations.
Field work can be vigorous and may require extended hours walking in soft sand and working in the Florida heat. Nesting surveys are performed seven days a week despite inclement weather.
Qualifications:
- Be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a four-year college program in biology, marine biology, environmental science, ecology or another related field. Preference may be given to recent graduates.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Have a reliable source of transportation (may have to use personal vehicle to access ATV storage location).
- Have a reliable source of communication, i.e. cellphone (will be used daily).
- Perform physically demanding duties (i.e. able to lift up to 50lbs, able to work 10 hour shifts primarily active and on your feet)
- Be comfortable working early in the morning and late at night, as you may participate in both shifts.
- Be comfortable working in extreme weather conditions (heat, sun, rain, wind, etc.)
- Be able to work well in both a group an individually.
- Have excellent communication skills, both oral and verbal.
- Possess a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and collect accurate data.
- Previous sea turtle experience is a plus, but not necessary.
- Previous experience operating 4-wheel drive vehicles or ATVs is a plus, but not necessary.
Dates:
Internships with the Nesting Team are available for the following dates. (Please select the summer internship session when applying.) Applications due: March 5th, 2021
April-July
May – August
June-October
Internships are unpaid, and housing is not provided. Internship candidates must be available to commit to full-time hours (40 hours per week) for a period of 3-5 months depending on the season. International applicants are welcome.
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