Jump start your natural resource management career by joining the National Park Service for an internship experience! Assateague Island National Seashore preserves one of the largest and last surviving Mid-Atlantic barrier islands along the East coast. The Seashore’s habitats encompass 31,000 acres of marine and estuarine waters that support a broad array of species, many of which are rare, uniquely adapted to life at the edge of the sea, and dependent upon natural ecosystem processes. The Resource Management program at Assateague Island employs specialists in wildlife, vegetation, water quality, geographic information systems and geophysical sciences. Our staff work together to inventory, monitor and manage a suite of unique barrier island natural resources.
We are seeking a self-motivated individual to assist National Park Service staff with implementing a long standing wildlife monitoring and management program. This internship will be a combination of fieldwork and office-related work (data entry, database management, GIS), although most of his/her time will be spent in the field.
In the summer he/she will primarily be involved in the monitoring of threatened and endangered species in a barrier island system – in particular, breeding shorebirds, sea turtles, beetles, and fireflies (40%). Daily observations and surveys are conducted for endangered shorebirds and sea turtles (20%). Surveys for endangered beetles and fireflies will be conducted over several days in suitable habitat in July. In addition, the intern will assist with a bird banding station (MAPS: Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) from June through August (10%).
In the fall the intern will staff the Hunt Station during the muzzleloader and shotgun seasons and assist staff with wild horse population surveys (40%). He/she will collect sex/age/species information from harvested deer, maintain hunter effort records, and input data into the Seashore’s hunting database in Microsoft Access. Wild horse population surveys will require identification of individuals and collection of field samples for further analysis of pregnancy, which informs the park's Horse Management Plan. He/she will assist in other resource management programs, assist various researchers from academic institutions, and assist with database management and science communication projects (10%).
The intern will gain experience working in a National Seashore and acquire valuable hands-on experience conducting resource management field projects. Candidates should have a B.S. degree (completed or in progress) and interest or experience in natural resources management, marine science, and/or wildlife and environmental science. The intern should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Applicants must be attentive to details and have the ability to accurately collect field data in harsh outdoor conditions including exposure to sun, high heat and humidity, occasional blowing sand, biting insects and poisonous plants. Operation of off road vehicles and ATVs (valid driver's license required) may be required.
Compensation Details:
- One-time travel allowance: $1,100 (personal vehicle is required)
- Weekly living allowance: $400 / week
- Shared housing is included on site
- Eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the position.
- Eligible for qualifying for Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion of the 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-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid
Position ID: PO-00734233
Expected Dates: May 1, 2023 - December 17, 2023
Location:
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
US
Training Provided: Intern will benefit from a well-established natural resource program, a high level of in-house expertise, and a large network of research partners. Specialized training on specific monitoring protocols, GPS and monitoring instruments provided.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Assateague Island is famous for its wild horses and 37 miles of white, sandy beaches. Numerous outdoor recreational opportunities are available in the area including: fishing, crabbing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, camping and bird watching.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Main Area of Focus: Wildlife Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
Vehicle is needed to reach nearby shopping centers
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
The housing area is located in walking distance to park headquarters and the beach. Interns will share a room (same sex) and share living areas. Amenities include: full kitchen, microwaves, pots, pans, plates, utensils, and air conditioning, free washer/dryers and local phone calls. The housing area also has screened-in porches, bbq grills and a well-equipped fitness room. Smoking is prohibited inside housing, and pets are not allowed.
Housing availability is contingent on NPS COVID-19 policy regarding shared quarters.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes