Natural Resource Intern (PO-00734693)

The Carterville Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office (CAR FWCO) is located in Carbondale, IL. The CAR FWCO seeks an intern for fisheries related work.

The intern will assist CAR FWCO field leads in activities related to the management and control of invasive carps in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as well as on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes and the management of native species in the Mississippi River. The intern will work closely with state and federal partners to implement sampling related to invasive carp and native species management. Specific activities include using a variety of fisheries sampling techniques and gears (e.g., boat-mounted electrofishing, dozer trawling, hydroacoustic sampling, eDNA, and gill netting). The intern will be responsible for gear maintenance and preparation for field sampling. Other duties include: vehicle and vessel maintenance, data entry and management, and assistance with other natural resource conservation activities in the region.

Duties:
Field investigations
Percentage of time: 40%
Work with supervisor and/or senior biologist(s) in performing multiple actions:
Assists with biological field investigations, related to invasive carps and native species. Investigations include, but are not limited to, early detection, monitoring, gear effectiveness, and acoustic tagging. Duties may also include assisting with state agency priority sampling. Intern should be prepared to be away from duty station up to two weeks at a time, although most field sampling will be conducted during a typical 5-day work week. Intern should be in good physical condition, with the ability to lift objects, pull nets, and withstand potentially harsh environmental conditions. Duties also include preparation of gear prior to and maintenance of gear upon conclusion of field activities.

Laboratory/office/station duties
Percentage of time: 40%
Laboratory work may include processing samples from field work (e.g., aging fish using otoliths) and working with various laboratory equipment. Office responsibilities include administrative duties, data entry and management, basic reporting. Station duties may include equipment maintenance and assistance with activities associated with the office complex.

Miscellaneous
Percentage of time: 20%
Responds to written, telephone, and in-person inquiries. Assists CAR FWCO staff with duties, as assigned.

Please note that this position will include overnight travel. Expenses incured will be reimbursed with receipts. 

Compensation
– $600/week* Living Allowance
– $1,100* To/From Travel Allowance, paid once with first paycheck
Health Insurance 
– Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,495.00, received upon successful completion of position
– Eligible for the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of position (640hrs minimum of service)

*All Allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes

Please note that housing is not provided for this position.

It is SCA's policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared results prior to the position's start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position's start date will be delayed due to non-compliance. 

For SCA’s COVID guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid.

SCA1957

Position ID: PO-00734693

Expected Dates: March 27, 2023 - May 17, 2024

Location:
292 San Diego Road
Carbondale, IL 62901
US

Training Provided: Boat operation and various types of field sampling gear – electroshocking, hydroacoustics, eDNA, and a variety of nets. Basics of data entry and analysis.

Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Active lifestyle includes: hiking, biking, fishing, hunting. Abundant educational opportunities (e.g., museums, aquariums, zoos) in the larger metro areas mentioned above.

Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt

Further Details

AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible

Driving Logistics: Required

Amenities/office are not within a reasonable walking/biking distance of each other

Housing or Stipend Provided?
D. No housing is available

Indoor/Outdoor: Combination

US Citizenship: Yes

Student Conservation Association