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Manatee Tracking Project Research Intern or Volunteer

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Marine Mammal Research Group is looking for two motivated interns or volunteers to serve for the upcoming spring-summer session in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The intern’s primary responsibility is to assist researchers in the Manatee Behavioral Ecology Program with tracking manatees in the Lemon Bay area of southwest Florida (Sarasota and Charlotte counties). The principle aim of this study is to characterize manatee response to watercraft in their natural environment using state-of-the-art multi-sensor digital acoustic recording tags and satellite-linked global positioning system (GPS) technology. The successful applicant will record behavioral observations of individual tagged-manatees and operational information of vessel traffic from small boats. Other duties include equipment maintenance, data entry, miscellaneous office tasks, and public outreach as needed. While in the office, interns are expected to work a minimum of three days each week. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. While in the field, interns are expected to work Friday through Monday (including weekends); some morning and evening hours may be required to utilize daylight and maximize data collection. Applicants should understand that this job requires them to be wet, dirty, and outdoors in all weather conditions. This position is unpaid; housing is not provided, and interns must provide their own transportation to and from the office. Transportation, meals, and lodging will be provided in the field.

Qualifications:

• Must be college junior or senior for internship credit; volunteers do not need to meet this qualification
  
• Must have basic computer proficiency
  
• Some field research experience with data collection on animals preferred
  
• Must be comfortable speaking to the public
  
• Ability to trailer boats and operate watercraft up to 22-feet in length preferred
  
• Experience with radio telemetry tracking gear is desirable, but training can be provided
  
• Must be able to swim
  
• Preference given to applicants who possess a valid U.S. driver's license

Application Process:
We are currently accepting applications for the spring-summer 2008 session (April–August 2008). Internships, which ideally last three to four months, require a minimum ten–week commitment. Starting and ending dates are flexible. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying. Please send a hard copy of your résumé with your cover letter, college transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient if not applying for internship credit), a list of three references, and contact information to the following address:

Dr. William S. Arnold—Internship Coordinator 
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020

Or you may submit them as an email attachment:

ManateeInterns@myfwc.com

This intern position is open until filled.

*All positions are unpaid. Housing and transportation are NOT provided.

For more information, please visit the FWRI Internships section.