Job Opportunities

Host - Tim Jones

St. Martins Marsh and Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves span over 950,000 acres of state managed submerged land of the Big Bend of Florida. Staff work diligently to conserve the natural resources within these boundaries through various programs and partnerships year-round. We are seeking an intern to assist with these programs during the 2017 summer season. Program examples include but are not limited to: Seagrass monitoring using the Braun-Blanquet cover scale, cultural resource assessments, water quality monitoring/sample collections and education and outreach events.

Responsibilities:
• Daily Duties: opening of the facility, feeding display specimens, prep of necessary equipment for field tasks
• Field Duties: Scoring of 4 quadrats at 125 fixed seagrass (and macro algae) monitoring sites throughout the Big Bend; Various water quality monitoring techniques including in field surface water sampling, fixed station YSI monitoring locations, etc; Assist staff at educational hands-on events (manning of touch tanks); as well as equipment maintenance and various other tasks as they arise.

Requirements:
• Ability to swim and use snorkel gear safely (Snorkel gear is NOT provided)
• Comfortable working in extreme weather conditions (examples but not limited to: long periods exposed to Florida heat and sun; weather events like rainstorms, etc) and long days, sometimes exceeding 8 hours
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work as part of a team, as well as individually
• Related environmental experience or coursework is preferred but not required
• Experience with vessels – trailering/towing preferred but not required
• Valid Florida driver’s license

Host - Mark Hinz, Hydrologist I, Suwannee River Water Management District

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a scientific research internship involving the collection and review of water quality and quantity data and assistance with water resources projects in the Suwannee River Basin and Big Bend area. 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.

MAJOR PROJECTS:
• Rapid Shallow Water Quality Assessment
o This project entails using continuous water quality sondes to assess the shallow water quality of the major rivers and associated springs within the District boundaries. Additional water quality grab samples and flow measurements will be collected at select locations along the way.
• Coastal Spring Water Quality and Quantity Assessment
o This project entails locating, documenting, and assessing springs along the west coast of Florida from Jefferson County to Levy County. Water quality grab samples and flow measurement will be collected.
• ArcGIS Digital Inventory of Man-made Drainage Features
o This is an on-going project to document and map man-made drainage features using ArcGIS and high resolution LiDAR imagery to better understand flow paths and local flood risk.

OTHER DAY TO DAY TASKS:
• Review of water quality and quantity data
• Maintenance of digital and paper records and files (scanning, editing, organizing)
• Calibrating and maintaining water quality instruments
• Assisting other staff as needed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Basic computer skills and ability to work full time with long field days are required. Knowledge of GIS and analytical and data management experience are preferred. Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to work within a team are necessary. This position will be approximately 60% office and lab work needed the ability to sit at a computer several hours in a row, 40% field work assisting staff in remote and undeveloped areas. This will include working up to 12 hour days, being in and around water, on motorized boat or airboat, and occasionally in areas where there may be exposure to adverse weather conditions, biting/ stinging insects and ticks, poisonous plants, venomous snakes and other wildlife.

OTHER: This position is based in Live Oak, FL at the SRWMD office. Subsidized vanpool options are available from Gainesville and High Springs, FL.

Host - Steve Geiger and Jennifer Granneman, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute – Molluscan Fisheries

DUTIES: The intern will primarily assist with bay scallop population monitoring and fisheries dependent monitoring of scallop harvest. Duties will include: snorkeling or diving to assist with scallop surveys in Steinhatchee; participating in monthly scallop spat trap recruitment monitoring in Steinhatchee; and conducting trailer counts, aerial surveys, and dockside interviews to estimate scallop harvest effort. The intern should have diving or snorkeling experience if they wish to assist with scallop surveys. During scallop surveys the intern will count and measure scallops along a transect while snorkeling or diving. Participation in the monthly spat trap recruitment monitoring involves pulling 5lb cinder blocks with attached scallop spat traps into a vessel and cleaning the blocks. Fisheries dependent monitoring will take place in Taylor and Dixie counties and will include routinely counting the number of trailers at boat ramps frequented by scallopers, participation in aerial surveys to count the number of vessels on the water in these counties, and routinely conducting dockside interviews to estimate scalloping effort in these counties. This project will require substantial travel in a personal vehicle to reach field sampling sites. For more about scallop fishery monitoring see: http://m.myfwc.com/research/saltwater/mollusc/bay-scallops/monitoring/.

Host –  Peter Frederick and Leslie Sturmer

Responsibilities:

• Daily Duties vary with type of work, and may include data collection for aquaculture research, field research on restoration sites, aquaculture plants and harvest, data entry and management, and assisting graduate students with field studies.
• Field Duties: Collection of field data from aquaculture sites and oyster restoration sites, assist with graduate field studies and experiments, care for boats and equipment.

Requirements:

• Ability to swim and work in water
• Comfortable working in extreme weather conditions (examples but not limited to: long periods exposed to Florida heat and sun; weather events like rainstorms, etc) and long days, sometimes exceeding 8 hours
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work as part of a team, as well as individually
• Related environmental experience or coursework is preferred but not required
• Experience with vessels – trailering/towing preferred but not required
• Valid Florida driver’s license

Host - Caleb Purtlebaugh

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s (FWRI) Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program is a long-term program designed to monitor the relative abundance of fishery resources in Florida’s major estuarine, coastal, and reef systems. The program was developed to: 1) address the critical need for effective assessment techniques for an array of species and sizes of fishes and selected invertebrates; 2) provide timely information for use in management plans; and 3) monitor trends in the relative abundance of taxa in a variety of estuarine and marine systems throughout Florida.
The FIM program uses a multi-gear approach to collect data on various life history stages of fishes and selected invertebrates from a wide variety of estuarine habitats. Gears used to collect estuarine fishes include: 21.3-m center bag seine; 6.1-m otter trawl; and a 183-m haul seine. Offshore data collections include use of: side scan sonar; hooked gears; and underwater cameras.
This research position is located at FWC’s Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab in Cedar Key, FL. The researcher will assist in all aspects of a Fisheries-Independent Monitoring program with emphasis on directing and executing statistically valid research experiments and surveys in estuarine and offshore waters on various sized boats to evaluate relative fish stock abundance, age composition, movement, growth, and condition of fish populations. Data collection may require 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 be safely handled. Travel and multiple days (2-4 days) at sea on a vessel less than 60’ in length may be required. Field and office work will primarily be during weekdays, although occasional weekend travel may be required for offshore sampling. Personal transportation to the Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab will be required, but not for travel related to field work. Housing is not provided, unless overnight stay is required for offshore sampling.

SUPERVISOR: Charles Martin, Research Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station

Project Description: We seek an intern(s) to work in the Estuarine Ecology Lab at the Nature Coast Biological Station on a wide variety of projects related to coastal ecology in the nearshore environments of the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in the Nature Coast region. Projects and responsibilities will vary but include field sampling of fishes and invertebrates; quantitative assessments of environmental parameters and habitats such as seagrass, oyster, and mangroves; laboratory experiments on nekton ecology and behavior; and other day-to-day tasks including sample identification, sample processing, data entry, and assisting other staff as needed. The selected intern(s) 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 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. The position is located at the Nature Coast Biological Station and a one-time $400 gas stipend will be given to assist with travel costs. Additional carpooling opportunities may be available. Depending on funding availability, we anticipate hiring 1-3 candidates for this internship.

Required Skills: 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. 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 Skills: 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.

Hosts – Dr. Josh Patterson, Dr. Savanna Barry, and Brittany Hall-Scharf

Shoreline erosion control that uses natural elements such as marsh grass and oyster reefs to slow or reverse erosion can be quite effective while also enhancing habitat. In Hernando Beach, an area of shoreline is experiencing erosion driven by waves and boat wakes. To address this concern, the county partnered with UF IFAS to obtain funding to install oyster reefs and marsh grasses in the affected area with the goal of enhancing habitats that are protective to shorelines. In addition, the project includes construction of school-based marsh grass nurseries. There are significant opportunities to 1) study the establishment of oysters/marsh and effectiveness of the project during monitoring and 2) educate residents about the value of coastal habitats and natural solutions to shoreline erosion by producing outreach materials. For more about the project, see: https://www.flseagrant.org/news/2017/11/building-living-shoreline-centipede-bay/

Intern will assist with all living shoreline project elements, including:

• Harvesting marsh plants from donor areas
• Bagging of oyster shell​
• Recruiting and training volunteers to assist with the installation of living shoreline project elements (including shell bagging, etc.)
• Supervision of volunteers (e.g., documenting hours, organizing work days)
• Construction and start-up of a "Grasses in Classes" nursery (school-based marsh plant nursery)
• Production of videos, photo blogs, and social media posts
• Marsh and oyster monitoring trips
• Data entry
• Maintenance of field survey equipment
• Other field and lab tasks related to shoreline enhancement and restoration projects

Requirements:

• Ability to swim and comfort around water and boats
• Ability to quickly learn and apply precise field sampling techniques
• Comfortable performing physically demanding tasks, working in extreme weather conditions (examples but not limited to: long periods exposed to Florida heat and sun; weather events like rainstorms, etc), and working long days, sometimes exceeding 8 hours
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work as part of a team, as well as individually
• Valid Florida driver’s license
• Ability to work independently and lead teams of other personnel
• Ability to pass a background check to allow work with youth
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel

Desired Skills:

• ​Experience with video production, blogging, social media and other online communication methods
• Related environmental experience or coursework
• Experience with volunteer management and stakeholder communication

Other information:

We strongly prefer applicants that can begin assisting with project tasks in early April or sooner.

The majority of project tasks will take place in Hernando Beach or nearby areas in Hernando County, FL. Partial travel support is provided to offset costs of traveling between Gainesville and Hernando (reimbursement for up to 2,700 miles traveled in a personal car, equivalent to $1,215.00 in travel support). All training and materials required for carrying out project tasks will be provided.

SUPERVISORS: This position will be jointly advised by 2 faculty members: Charles Martin (UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station) and Laura Reynolds (Soil and Water Sciences, UF)

Project Description: There are two major goals of this project: 1) to determine the impact of seagrass species diversity on the animal community, and 2) to compare and test the efficiency of different collection and trapping methods. There has been considerable work showing that seagrass genetic diversity is positively correlated with the ecosystem’s resistance to disturbance, its habitat function, its ability to sequester nutrients, and its productivity. This work has focused on genetic diversity because it has largely been conducted in temperate regions where there is only one species of seagrass. In Florida, however, there are up to eight species of seagrasses that may co-exist allowing the opportunity to also study the importance of species diversity on ecosystem resilience and ecosystem functions. With this project, we will be designing, testing, and comparing different methods of sampling fish and invertebrates in seagrass meadows. Examples include fish traps, lift nets, and grab samples. We will use these methods to sample seagrass plots of varying plant diversity to test the hypothesis that seagrass species diversity enhances habitat function. This work will help us determine what species or what combination of species should be planted in restoration projects. The intern will help on all aspects of this project. S/he will travel to the coast to the Nature Coast Biological Station to collect plant and animals, which may require long hours in less than ideal conditions — hot and muddy!

Required Skills: The applicant must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license as well as an interest in ecology and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. 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 Skills: 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.

Hosts ­- Andrew Gude and Mike Allen

This intern will work with the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and NCBS to develop best handling practices and novel fishing methods to minimize injury and stress in fish.

Responsibilities:
• Daily Duties: Work with graduate students and technicians to explore fish handling methods.
• Field Duties: Hook and line sampling of estuarine fish, quantifying injury and mortality of fishing gear, field collections during summer.

Requirements:
• Ability to swim and use fishing gear 
• Comfortable working in extreme weather conditions (examples but not limited to: long periods exposed to Florida heat and sun; weather events like rainstorms, etc) and long days, sometimes exceeding 8 hours
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work as part of a team, as well as individually
• Related environmental experience or coursework is preferred but not required
• Experience with vessels, trailering/towing and operation of boats
• Valid Florida driver’s license

Host - Dr. Mark Clark UF/IFAS Soil & Water Science

Coastal erosion associated with wave energy and rising sea-level can result in infrastructure and property loss. Traditional approaches to stabilize eroding shorelines include use of hard structures like rip-rap, sea walls, bulkheads and other mechanical means of partitioning upland from wetland and water. This approach may help protect property from further impacts; however, it often negatively affects the ecological function of the shoreline, which can otherwise provide numerous environmental services including fisheries and wildlife habitat, improved water quality, carbon sequestration, recreation and aesthetics. The use of “Living Shorelines” as an alternative or complementary component to an armored shoreline is one way to achieve both objectives of property/infrastructure protection and ecological function. Currently underway is a demonstration Living Shoreline project to stabilize an actively eroding shoreline and enhance ecological function adjacent to an existing sea-wall in Cedar Key. This site will provide a clear example of what one type of Living Shoreline looks like and allow citizens to visualize this alternative approach to shoreline stabilization. The site provides an opportunity to investigate various implementation techniques and evaluate the benefits of this approach when compared to a more traditional armored shoreline. Investigation of techniques and benefits associated with substrates used to recruit oyster spat and establish oyster reefs, selection and holding of vegetation transplant material, planting techniques used in establishing vegetation and estimating sediment carbon sequestration potential as a result of Living Shoreline implementation are all being investigated. There are also two additional shorelines in the Daughtry Bayou area of Cedar Key that are being discussed with Stakeholders to determine the viability of integrating aspects of living shorelines into these areas as a means to help mitigate for living shorelines.

Likely intern duties and activities: collection of soil cores, vegetation surveys, fauna surveys including distribution and density of fiddler crab burrows and oyster spat settling on shell and artificial substrate, ground-truthing aerial imagery, shoreline elevation surveys, laboratory analysis of soil texture and organic matter content, post processing of vegetation photo quadrats, participating in group discussion of living shoreline designs and potential participation in stakeholder education workshops, data entry and analysis.

Desired skills and expectations: A general exposure to coastal wetlands and marine systems is desired, but not a requirement. A willingness to work outside in the Florida summer heat and humidity as well as working in the mud and wading in the water is a necessity. Personal transportation is highly desired, but not required. Occasional weekend work and being flexible to "work the tide" is required, which may include working early in the day and late in the day depending on what the tidal cycle is and what the work requires.

This internship requires a student who can start as early as mid March.