Internship Program

Host: Department of Environmental Protection, Big Bend Aquatic Seagrass Preserve

Start Date: May 6th-Middle May

End Date: August 17th

Supervisors: Timothy Jones (BBSAP)

Responsibilities:Assist DEP staff with field work including but not limited to monthly water quality monitoring, annual seagrass monitoring and hardbottom monitoring.

Qualifications:

• Ability to swim (snorkel) comfortably in water up to 10 feet deep sometimes with limited visibility (snorkel gear NOT provided)
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions (heat, rain, etc)
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Flexible work schedule

Other Information: Position is based in Crystal River, Florida with work range from Keaton Beach south to Homosassa, Florida.
Required equipment: mask, fins and snorkel
Suggested equipment: rain gear, hat, polarized sunglasses, UV protective clothing, field bag.

Host: FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring

Start Date: May 6th

End Date: August 17th

Supervisor: Caleb Purtlebaugh – Research Administrator and Stephanie Winn – Intern Coordinator

Responsibilities: The intern will assist biologist in all aspects of 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 of fish populations. This will primarily include field work deploying and retrieving gear, fish species identification, and data collection. The FIM program uses a multi-gear approach to collect data on various life history stages of fishes and selected invertebrates. Gears used to collect estuarine fishes include: 21.3-m center bag seine; 6.1-m otter trawl; and a 183-m haul seine. Data collection may require long field days and strenuous physical activities. Field work may be done under arduous conditions (e.g. inclement weather, rough seas, and shoreline wading). This position will require that large fish and sting rays be safely handled. 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.

Host: Joyce Palmer (USFWS/Crystal River NWR Complex)

Start Date: May 15th

End Date: August 14th

Supervisor: Joyce Palmer

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: SRWMD 

Start Date: May 6th

End Date: August 17th

Supervisor: Stephanie Armstrong, Environmental Scientist IV and Katie McBride, Environmental Scientist II

Responsibilities: This is a scientific research internship involving the collection and review of water quality and quantity 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. Field appropriate clothing that can get wet and dirty is required, and rubber boots are very beneficial. No specific equipment is needed.

Host: UF/IFAS NCBS

Start Date: May 6th

End Date: August 14th

Supervisor: Dr. Mike Allen – Professor/Director

Responsibilities: We seek an intern to assist on various projects regarding coastal ecology and nearshore ecosystems at the Nature Coast Biological Station. Potential projects and responsibilities will vary but include: field sampling of fishes, invertebrates, and turtles; Measuring/studying of environmental parameters and habitats such as seagrass, oyster, and mangroves; laboratory experiments; and other day-to-day tasks such as sample processing, data entry, and assisting other staff as needed. The selected intern will work with a variety of lab personnel including faculty and graduate students. Field work will be performed on small boats and interns will be required to participate heavily in field-based activities which are often characterized by long hours outdoors and potentially arduous conditions such as extreme heat in the Florida summer, biting insects, and inclement weather.

Qualifications: Job responsibilities will include possible night and 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 within a team are necessary. Preferred applicants will have some experience with identification of invertebrates and fishes of Florida’s Big Bend or previous experience using dichotomous keys. Relevant coursework in ecology/marine biology and previous experience with small watercraft is preferred, but not required.

Other Information: This position is located in Cedar Key at the UF/IFAS NCBS facility. The applicant must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license as well as an interest in marine community ecology and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Carpooling opportunities might be available.