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Summer Internship, National Park Service (Cape Lookout): Biology Assistant

POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Biology Assistant
Park Unit: Cape Lookout National Seashore
Location: Harkers Island, North Carolina
Number of positions available: 2
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
Cape Lookout National Seashore (CALO) preserves 56 miles of barrier island ecosystem in North Carolina’s southern Outer Banks. The seashore is a significant loggerhead and green sea turtle nesting beach in the north west Atlantic Ocean nesting range. In September 2018 Hurricane Florence and then Hurricane Dorian in 2019 significantly impacted the sea turtle nesting beaches of Cape Lookout National Seashore. The primary dune line was flattened by storm surge, ocean overwash moved sand from the oceanside across to the soundside, and several new inlets were formed. The island profile is now flatter. Sea turtles typically prefer a steeper sloped beach with an established dune line. Additionally, without the dunes to block ambient light glow from the mainland there are light disorientation issues. Light disorientation of sea turtles is an important natural resource management issue at Cape Lookout National Seashore. In 2023 the specific project goals are to continue data collection to determine if the altered beach profiles change the sea turtle nesting density and to monitor for increased light disorientation.

The purpose of two biological intern positions is to perform routine and uncomplicated biological science tasks common to natural resource management for sea turtle monitoring at Cape Lookout National Seashore. The barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore are undeveloped and semi-remote where natural processes such as ocean overwash and inlet formation are allowed to function. The interns perform primarily routine functions with monitoring sea turtle nesting, such as early morning patrols to locate nests and false crawl activities. The interns will collect and organize field data and ensures adequate quality control of data collected. The interns will perform collection of biological samples and records all data collected and provides preliminary assessment and classification of the information. The interns may install, operate, and maintain resource management equipment (e.g., tools, traps, fencing, and posts). The interns will use GPS units, ArcGIS Online, and manage a online database. The interns will learn barrier island ecology and barrier island geological processes. The desired outcome for the internship is to develop independent, self-motivated, task orientated, safety minded interns who significantly contribute to the natural resource program.

DELIVERABLES
The SIP interns will provide daily sea turtle patrols, complete datasheet records, enter data, use AGOL, and online database entry for up to 1,100 sea turtle nesting activities. The 12-week internships will be at the peak of sea turtle nesting in North Carolina and is full time work. The data collection and entry will contribute to the National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Natural Resource Report 2023 CALO sea turtle summary publication with a specific section on nesting density and light disorientation as it relates to changes in barrier island geomorphology caused by Hurricanes Florence and Dorian. Biological samples collected by interns contribute to a DNA mark recapture population study of adult female sea turtles. The interns will provide a preliminary end of season report on the project goals to be used in the annual summary.

DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidates should have some coursework in university level biology, ecology, GIS, geology, and/or other related wildlife science coursework preferable at the junior or senior level. Candidates should be able to meet physical demands of the job - position requires walking, digging, and ATV riding in soft sand. ATV safety and skills training will be provided. Ability to spend long hours in the field under hot, humid, shade-less, and windy conditions, patience, and ability to live amicably in semi-remote field housing with other staff is desired.

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
Cape Lookout National Seashore is part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The elevation ranges from sea level to 70 feet and is typically low and flat. The park is in a rural area with basic grocery/hardware store, gas stations, restaurants, laundry, and post office within 4 miles of park housing on Harker's Island. Beaufort and Morehead City are about a 30-minute drive to larger and franchised amenities and other facilities. Weather is typically hot and humid in the summer with plenty of water recreation opportunities. The work environment is predominately outside on a semi-remote barrier island on beaches, sand flats, and dunes. The interns must be able to ride in a motorboat across coastal waters. There will be routine exposure to weather, sun, and biting insects. Summer temperatures can be hot and heat index values can be extreme, but the barrier islands are generally cooler than the mainland.

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.
Park housing on Harker's Island may be a shared or private room depending on demand. Housing does include all the basics for kitchen needs, laundry, and bathrooms. The SIP intern will need to bring personal items to include toiletries, laundry detergent, pillows, linens and towels. Mainland park housing is for off days and the work week housing/cabin may be utilized on the barrier island.

KEYWORDS
sea turtle, nests, beach, barrier island, ocean