Summer Internship, National Park Service (Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida): Natural Resource Management Assistant
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant
Park Unit: Fort Matanzas National Monument
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 12 Weeks
Start Date: 5/14/2023
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $480.00
Relocation Allowance: $350.00
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The intern will work primarily with the park's Natural Resource Manager, assisting with a variety of resource management fieldwork, including: sea turtle nesting patrols, nest management and evaluation, and processing of stranded turtles; shorebird nest and chick monitoring; invasive plant data collection; water quality monitoring; and more. The intern will also develop and deliver science-based interpretive programs to the visiting public on a scheduled basis, as well as assist with a series of nature camps for kids. Interpretive programs may consist of walks and/or talks on a wide variety of park-related, resource-based themes. Finally, the intern will assist with the park's social media outreach efforts by preparing educational information for posting.
DELIVERABLES
The intern will help the park fulfill its obligation to patrol the beach each morning during the sea turtle nesting season, and to identify, document, protect, and manage all crawls, nests, and strandings that occur during this four month long period. This is in addition to assisting with a variety of other resource management fieldwork (shorebird monitoring, invasive plant data collection, etc.). The intern will also help the park to increase its emphasis on natural resource interpretation. The outcome will be a more educated and satisfied visiting public. The deliverables will be a set number of interpretive programs, given on a regular basis, that will highlight the park's natural resources, in addition to educational postings to the park's social media throughout the internship.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
- A degree or coursework in biological/environmental science is preferred.
- Comfort with public speaking is a must.
- Fieldwork is physically rigorous, so the intern should possess a high level of physical fitness and be able to function in very hot/humid outdoor conditions on a regular basis.
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“green-card-holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
WORK SETTING
Fort Matanzas is a 300 acre park located on portions of two barrier islands on Florida's northeast coast. The park encompasses a range of habitats, from ocean beach to sand dunes, coastal scrub to maritime hammock, and estuary to saltmarsh. The summers are very hot and humid with long, sunny days often punctuated by monsoonal afternoon showers accompanied by frequent lightning. The position is field-based, and the fieldwork physically rigorous, so the intern should possess a high level of physical fitness and be able to function in very hot/humid, outdoor conditions on a regular basis. The nearest grocery store is about 8 miles away, though there are gas stations and restaurants closer.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will need a valid driver's license in order to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is RECOMMENDED but not required for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Efficiency Apartment- Private, Furnished, with Kitchen and Bathroom. Contains the following: twin bed, microwave and stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, TV, iron & board, sheets/pillows, towels, dishes/cookware/silverware, and access to a washer/dryer.
KEYWORDS
Resource Management, Sea Turtles, Shorebirds, Invasive Plants, Interpretation