Internship Program

Host: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Big Bend Aquatic Seagrass Preserve (BBSAP)

Start Date: May 19th

End Date: August 1st

Supervisors: Sandra Chupinsky (BBSAP Manager)

Responsibilities:We are seeking a motivated intern to join the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve (BBSAP) Team this summer. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in coastal monitoring within nearshore environments throughout the Gulf of Mexico, focusing on the Big Bend region. The intern’s main responsibilities will include participating in projects such as seagrass monitoring, continuous water quality assessments, and surface water nutrient monitoring, as well as assisting with the upkeep and maintenance of vehicles and vessels. There will likely be opportunities to assist visiting researchers with field projects and data collection. Fieldwork will involve the use of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) vessels, including outboard boats and airboats, and may require extended days in challenging conditions, such as high heat and humidity. Due to building limitations following Hurricane Helene, the intern will also work remotely when not in the field, focusing on data management, analysis, and an intern project. Flexibility is essential, as work schedules will vary daily based on field conditions and project priorities, with a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week. While typical hours are from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, longer days may occasionally be required. This position is ideal for students in marine or environmental science who are eager to develop their skills and contribute to meaningful conservation efforts.

Qualifications: The applicant must have reliable transportation, the ability to work partly remote (UF campus can be used for remote work), and a strong interest in coastal monitoring with the capability to work both collaboratively and independently. Job responsibilities will include working on the water in extreme heat and sun exposure. The applicant must be comfortable swimming in the Gulf of Mexico; snorkeling experience is heavily preferred. Basic computer skills, including proficiency with data entry software such as Microsoft Excel is preferred. Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to work within a team are necessary. 

Other Information: Preferred applicants will have experience snorkeling and be comfortable spending long hours on boats and in cars with coworkers while traveling to field sites. Applicants should be prepared to work as part of a small, close-knit team and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to maintain a positive team dynamic. While our office is located in Crystal River, our monitoring efforts span six counties from Citrus to Wakulla, requiring extensive travel, however overnight trips are not required. The intern will be expected to meet at the Crystal River office for field days and travel with the BBSAP team to project locations. Safety training and guidance on field equipment, boats, and snorkeling procedures will be provided, but applicants should bring appropriate personal gear, such as snorkeling equipment, sun protection, and field-appropriate clothing.

Host: FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring

Start Date: May 7th

End Date: August 15th

Supervisor: Caleb Purtlebaugh – Research Administrator

Responsibilities: The intern will assist biologist in all aspects of fisheries independent monitering (FIM) program with emphasis on conducting statistically valid research experiments and surveys in estuarine habitats to evaluate relative fish stock abundance, age composition, movement, growth, and condition. This will primarily include field work deploying and retrieving gear, fish species identification, and data collection.  Office work includes fish identification using microscopes and dichotomous keys, specimen work-up (otoliths, life history, diet, mercury samples) and data processing. Field and office work will be during weekdays.

Qualifications: The applicant must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license, as well as an interest in marine fisheries and the ability to work in a team setting. Must be able lift up to 50lbs and work under adverse and strenuous conditions (e.g. inclement weather, rough seas, high temperatures, biting insects and shoreline wading). This position will require that large fish and sting rays be safely handled. The ability to work full time with long field days are required.

Other Information: Personal transportation to the Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab in Cedar Key will be required, but not for travel related to field work. We do provide field and safety gear. Housing is not provided, but carpooling is typically available from Gainesville.

Host: Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) 

Start Date: May 15th

End Date: August 14th

Supervisors: Stephanie Armstrong, Environmental Scientist IV and Katie McBride, Environmental Scientist III

Responsibilities:

This is a scientific research internship involving the collection and review of water quality, quantity, and biological data, and assistance with water resources projects. The selected candidate will work alongside District staff and receive hands-on experience calibrating and maintaining water quality equipment, collecting water quality and flow measurements, post-processing data, reviewing and quality control of data, and using ArcGIS to inventory physical features and visually display data in a meaningful way. Work entails using water quality instruments and flow meters to assess water resources within the District’s monitoring network.

Upon arrival, staff will work with the intern to assess professional interests and choose from several potential projects to find a best fit for intern’s deliverables.

Qualifications: Candidates must have a strong interest in environmental science. Basic computer skills are required. Knowledge of GIS and analytical and statistical methods are preferred. Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to work within a team are necessary.

Other Information: This position is located at the SRWMD office in Live Oak, Florida. The selected candidate will need the ability to drive themselves to and from Live Oak, although carpooling options may be available. Field work may involve working in adverse conditions including high temperatures, water environments, difficult terrain, dense vegetation, and exposure to insects and other wildlife. Field appropriate clothing that can get wet and dirty is required, and rubber boots are very beneficial. No specific equipment is needed.

Host: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Start Date: May 15th

End Date: August 14th

Supervisor: Alex Arrow- Wildlife Refuge Specialist (USFWS/Crystal River NWR Complex)

Responsibilities: We seek an intern to work at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Primary duties will focus on a native habitat restoration project on Egmont Key NWR, including vegetation monitoring, bird surveys, and invasive plant control. Additional day-to-day tasks may include monthly bird surveys throughout the refuge complex, water quality monitoring, blue bird nest box monitoring, assisting with environmental education and interpretation, data entry, and assisting staff as needed. Intern will be required to participate in field-based activities in the outdoors in potentially arduous conditions such as extreme summer heat and humidity, biting insects, poisonous plants, venomous snakes, and inclement weather.

Qualifications: The applicant must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license as well as an interest in habitat restoration and native vegetation. Job responsibilities may include: overnight travel, weekend work, and some moderate-heavily lifting. Basic computer skills and ability to work full time with long field days are required. Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are necessary.

Other Information: Relevant coursework in ecology/ biology and previous experience with small watercraft or paddle craft is preferred, but not required. Housing is available and the use of a government vehicle while performing official duties.

Host: UF/IFAS NCBS

Start Date: May 15th

End Date: August 15th

Supervisor: Dr. Marc Hensel, Assistant Professor (UF/IFAS NCBS)

Responsibilities: We seek an intern to work on a wide variety of projects related to coastal ecology in the nearshore environments of the Gulf of Mexico, including the Suwannee River. Projects and responsibilities will vary but include field sampling of fishes and invertebrates; quantitative assessments of environmental parameters and habitats such as seagrass, oyster, marshes, and mangroves; laboratory experiments; and other day-to-day tasks including sample identification, sample processing, data entry, and assisting other staff as needed. The selected intern will work with a variety of lab personnel including the technicians and graduate students. Field work will be performed on small boats and interns will be required to participate heavily in field-based activities in potentially arduous conditions.

Qualifications: Relevant coursework in ecology/marine biology and previous experience with small watercraft is preferred, but not required.

Other Information: The position is located at the Nature Coast Biological Station and carpooling opportunities may be available. The applicant must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license as well as an interest in community ecology and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently.