Six Month Internships, National Park Service (Gulf Islands National Seashore, MS): Natural Resource Management Assistants

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant

Park Unit: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Number of positions available: 3

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: $480.00

Relocation Allowance: $350.00

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The SIP intern will assist resources staff with monitoring and management activities related to but not limited to the treatment and/or removal of invasive animal species. This position may involve routine contact with the public to enhance understanding of natural resources within the park. The SIP intern is expected to positively represent the NPS at all times. The intern will be responsible for collecting accurate data by adhering to established protocols. Field training will be provided to identify invasive plants, as well as nutria tracks, scat and burrows. Training will also be provided to accurately collect, interpret and illustrate geospatial and biological data.

The intern may also be asked to assist in the collection of marine debris data as well as assisting with coordinating volunteer marine debris cleanup efforts as well as assist park staff in clean-up efforts. The intern may also aid in the excavation and assessment of sea turtle nests post-hatch to determine success. The intern may also assist in the monitoring, recording, and protecting of many species of nesting shorebird and seabirds throughout the summer breeding season. Further training will also be provided to identify shorebird species by sight and sound, locate and monitor nests of multiple species, install symbolic fencing around nesting habitat to minimize disturbance, resight banded adults and family groups, and to observe and document behavior.

Additional duties may include data entry, routine upkeep of supplies and equipment, shorebird, sea turtle and marine mammal mortality/stranding surveys and stewarding. The intern may also become involved with community outreach events promoting the conservation and management of natural resources.

DELIVERABLES

The selected candidate will be able to, using ESRI's suite of products, record and report the results from various surveys of Gulf Islands natural resources. The intern will also be responsible for carrying forward projects previously established with SIP interns. Interns will also be given the opportunity to compile, evaluate, and report field data collected.

DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for interns with a basic understanding and education in basic biological principles and processes that have a willingness to learn. Candidates must be able to assist in strenuous field work, often in hot humid field conditions with biting insects. Field work may consist of long treks through remote wilderness, often with little protection from the elements. In addition, field work is primarily conducted on a series of offshore barrier islands, ranging from 8 - 13 miles offshore requiring as much as an hour-long boat ride. Candidates should also be comfortable being in the vicinity of animals being dispatched.

Approximately 75% of work will be performed outside on barrier islands. Field work requires walking, bending, and lifting 25+ pounds on a regular basis. Participants may be subject to biting insects and inclement weather including extreme heat, humidity, wind, and rain. Interns will be required to ride in a small boat to barrier island work sites, and to traverse several miles in soft sand and/or brush while carrying a backpack and equipment. The remaining 25% of duties will be performed in an office setting. Intern will be required to sit for extended periods of time while performing repetitive manual tasks.

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

Primary work duties will require participants to conduct field work in remote and often arduous field conditions with limited to no access to modern amenities. Participants will assist park staff and completing various inventories and monitoring of park natural resources. Interns typically work 10 hour days, consisting of long days in the field. The majority of work tasks take place on Mississippi's barrier islands, only accessible via small vessels. Interns must be comfortable in small vessels and, at times, rough sea conditions. They will be provided with an opportunity to complete the DOI Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC). Interns will be required to pack field equipment and/or trapping supplies to remote portions of the barrier islands, often up to 40lbs.

Gulf Islands National Seashore is managed in two distinct districts, Mississippi and Florida. This position will work solely in the Mississippi District in be housed in the Davis Bayou area. The Davis Bayou area is a very urban portion of Gulf Islands, nestled in the middle of Ocean Springs, MS. Ocean Springs, MS is a vibrant coastal artsy community of just under 20,000 annual residents and was recently named one of USA Today's Top 10 'Small Coastal Towns.' Typical town amenities such as restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping are all located nearby.

VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.

Housing provided is a private bedroom with shared common spaces including bathroom, full kitchen (stove, microwave, refrigerator), and furnished living area with co-ed roommate(s). We can often times accommodate a private bathroom.

Housing is fully furnished, including kitchen utensils, and washer/dryer. Interns should expect to provide their own linens (twin size beds, most rooms have two beds which can be combined to allow for a king sized bed), towels, and toiletries.

Housing is located within the Davis Bayou Area of Gulf Islands NS in Ocean Springs, MS.

KEYWORDS

invasive species, natural resources, wilderness, nutria, marine debris, shorebird, sea turtle, monitoring