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Six Month Internships, National Park Service (Gulf Islands National Seashore):

POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant
Park Unit: Gulf Islands National Seashore
Location: Gulf Breeze, Florida
Number of positions available: 2
Can this position be fully remote: NO

INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 26 Weeks
Start Date: 5/1/2023
Flexible Start Date: YES

LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $580.00
Relocation Allowance: $350.00

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Natural resource monitoring activities will be conducted to determine the status and trends of selected park resources, and to evaluate the efficacy of current management practices. This SIP Intern will mainly assist park staff with monitoring and management activities related to the marine sea turtle program which includes daily morning surveys, nest inventories, disorientation reports and stranding reports. The duties of the interns may also include beach mouse track tube surveys, nesting shorebird surveys, Gulf Coast Solitary Bee surveys and Diamondback Terrapin surveys. These positions require routine contact with volunteers and the public to enhance the understanding of natural resources within the park.

The interns will be responsible for collecting accurate data by adhering to established protocols, but will have the latitude to change existing protocols and data collection methods if deemed necessary. New technology acquired by the park will be given to the selected intern to create high accuracy mapping protocols to document sea turtle nesting and current shoreline locations.

Field trainings will be provided to identify shorebird species by sight, install symbolic fencing around nesting habitat to minimize disturbance, and how to complete Florida Shorebird Database (FSD) protocols for nesting shorebirds. Training will also be provided to locate and identify sea turtle crawls/nests to species and monitor nests throughout the incubation period for signs of disturbance (i.e. predation, flooding, human interference) and hatch. The interns will also aid in the excavation and assessment of sea turtle nests post-hatch to determine success. Beach mouse track tube surveys will also be completed by the intern, and training will be provided to identify beach mouse tracks and burrows in the coastal dune habitat. Diamondback terrapin surveys will also be incorporated to all other surveys to opportunistically enhance the park's dataset on terrapin nesting locations.

Additional duties may include data entry, routine upkeep of supplies and equipment, shorebird and beach mouse road mortality surveys, marine debris removal and beach stewardship. Occasional duties surrounding prescribed fire preparations, and wildfire mitigations will occur if certain field conditions are met. Interns will also become involved with community outreach events promoting the conservation and management of natural resources if deemed safe according to COVID protocols. Important resource management issues addressed with this internship include assisting the park in achieving its mission in protecting and preserving imperiled coastal species. This internship will ensure imperiled shorebirds, sea turtles and beach mice are monitored to determine occupancy, nesting success and management needs throughout the park. As needs are identified through this internship, the SIP interns and park staff will work to solve immediate issues and develop new management goals to address future needs.
Finally, interns will assist with keeping daily operations running, which includes purchasing gas, recording credit card purchases, and ensuring the right supplies are in the right locations at the right times.

DELIVERABLES
The required project deliverables include creating and updating an ArcGIS Online (AGOL) map of all sea turtle nests and false crawls on all Florida units. With this map, associated Survey 123 datasheets to document nest number, species, date laid, etc. must be created and updated over the course of the season for in the field use. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sea turtle nesting and nest inventory data sheets must be completed on time (Index Nesting beaches specifically), and assistance with the end of season annual report will be required. Interns will also be expected to document and report out all stranding events and disorientations that occur on the FL units. Recently, the park acquired an NTRIP base station which allows for incredibly accurate GPS locations to be documented. This position will be creating a new protocol for documenting high accuracy points for sea turtle nest locations, and current shoreline locations along three park units.

DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Successful applicants must demonstrate an understanding of basic scientific principles, data collection and analysis. Applicants should be able to follow precise procedures and established protocols with close attention to detail. Strong oral and written communication skills are desired. Experience working in the coastal system is preferred but not required. Must be comfortable with ArcGIS online and other platforms such as Collector and Survey 123 and be able to operate a tablet for data collection while in the field. Previous experience with driving a UTV/ATV is preferred. Training will be provided to operate park UTVs and trailers. Applicants must either be currently enrolled in a degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, conservation, or a closely related scientific field OR be a recent graduate of one of the before mentioned programs.

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
The Florida District of Gulf Islands National Seashore contains sparkling blue waters and sugar white sandy beaches. The largest of the National Seashores, GUIS stretches for 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, bayous, and marine habitat. The Seashore provides suitable habitat to over 300 species of birds and four species of nesting sea turtles. GUIS is also comprised of several historic coastal fortifications and batteries dating back to the early 19th century.

Weather conditions can change from sunny skies to severe thunderstorms with little to no warning. All units within GUIS are relatively close to civilization (Gulf Breeze, FL within 15 miles) and large city services are within a 30-minute drive (Pensacola, FL). Approximately 75% of work will be performed outside on soft sandy beaches. Field work requires walking, bending and lifting 25+ pounds on a regular basis. Participants may be subject to biting insects, venomous snakes and inclement weather including extreme heat, humidity, lightning, wind and rain. Interns will be required to traverse several miles in soft sand while carrying a backpack and equipment. The remaining 25% of duties will be performed in an office setting. Interns will be required to sit for extended periods of time while performing repetitive manual tasks such as data entry and reporting.

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 NOT available. The intern will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Park housing is not available due to hurricane impacts. The intern will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. No park housing is provided by Gulf Islands Florida district. Local housing costs can fluctuate, but rooms can be rented for $600-$900 a month in the local community.

KEYWORDS
marine turtles, surveying endangered species, wildland urban interface, GIS