2021 summer internships at the Southern Sites Office in Wilmington

 

 During 2021, the North Carolina Coastal Reserve Southern Sites Office in Wilmington, NC will host 1-3 summer interns.

Resources Protection Intern

The intern will assist the Stewardship staff at the Southern Sites Office in Wilmington with summer management and outreach activities. The intern will participate in regular ongoing stewardship activities, including invasive species monitoring and removal, species of concern monitoring and surveys, documentation of species occurrences, marine debris removal efforts, management of visitor use of protected lands, and other stewardship activities. The intern will have the opportunity to take on specific duties related to sea turtles, diamondback terrapins, shorebirds, or other species of interest.  The intern will also support public outreach activities, based on currently conditions relative to Covid-19.  The student will build skills in field data collection, resource management planning, and public outreach implementation. The student will also build professional communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.

Biological Monitoring and Data Management Intern

An upperclass or graduate intern will support diamondback terrapin research and monitoring efforts at the Masonboro Island Reserve, a component of the NC National Estuarine Research Reserve. The student’s duties will include: conducting field surveys to document nesting activity and collect population data, tracking tagged diamondback terrapins using cellular tracking equipment, and participating in data management for associated studies. The student will also gain exposure to sea turtle and shorebird monitoring activities. The student will need strong experience with Excel. Ideally, the student will have statistical analysis and GIS experience. The student will build skills in field data collection, research project design, wildlife tracking, and use of telemetry for natural resource management research. The student will also build professional communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.       

Spanish Language Communication Intern

The intern will support the N.C. Coastal Reserve’s efforts to broaden its reach in the greater Wilmington community and to provide equitable access to the Southern Sites for Hispanic visitors by developing Spanish-language outreach materials and activities. Activities may include participation in strategic planning of outreach efforts, development of content for Spanish-language outreach materials, and collaboration with other agencies and organizations to address regional environmental information needs of the Hispanic community. The priority project for the summer is the production of a series of short informational videos delivered in Spanish. The intern will work closely with Reserve staff to review and customize information on a variety of biological monitoring, natural resource management, and visitor use activities, including estuarine ecosystems, coastal flora and fauna, environmental stewardship, and water quality. Video production and communications experience is required. Spanish language skill is preferred. 

Internship Details

These are 10-12-week, 20-30 hour/week internships, depending on student availability and preferences. Internships may qualify for academic credit depending on academic program requirements. Start and end dates are somewhat flexible, but internships are generally May-August. Typical work days are Monday through Friday, however some weekend, evening and early morning hours will be required.

The ideal candidate will have: background in biology and marine biology, coastal issues, estuarine ecology, and/or environmental education; experience and training in coastal and estuarine topics; excellent communication skills; and the ability to work well both independently and as a team member. Field positions will also need familiarity with or capacity to learn basic GPS and GIS use and comfort with working in field settings in a variety of weather conditions.

Compensation will be $8.25-$9.50/hour, depending on funding availability. Interns will be responsible for housing and transportation. Actual work location will depend on COVID-19 conditions. However, the UNCW Center for Marine Science will be the meeting location for field activities.   

How to apply

Applicants should send a letter of interest, college transcript(s), resume, and one letter of recommendation to Hope Sutton, Reserve Stewardship Coordinator/Southern Sites Manager at suttonh@uncw.edu by 11:59 pm, March 8, 2021.

 

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