POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant
Park Unit: Gulf Islands National Seashore
Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Number of positions available: 2
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 10/07/2024
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $565.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
CURRENT NUMBER OF APPLICANTS: Under 75 (This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first.)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The SIP intern will assist resources staff with monitoring and management activities related to but not limited to the treatment and/or removal of invasive animal species. This position may involve routine contact with the public to enhance understanding of natural resources within the park. The SIP intern is expected to positively represent the NPS at all times.
The intern will be responsible for collecting accurate data by adhering to established protocols. Field training will be provided to identify invasive plants and animals, as well as nutria tracks, scat and burrows. Training will also be provided to accurately collect, interpret and illustrate geospatial and biological data. The intern may also be asked to assist in the collection of marine debris data as well as assisting with coordinating volunteer marine debris cleanup efforts as well as assist park staff in clean-up efforts. The intern may also assist in the monitoring and recording of various shorebird and seabird species overwintering throughout the fall and winter seasons. Further training will also be provided to identify shorebird species by sight and sound and accurately reflect and record observations.
Additional duties may include data entry, routine upkeep of supplies and equipment, shorebird, sea turtle and marine mammal mortality/stranding surveys and stewarding. The intern may also become involved with community outreach events promoting the conservation and management of natural resources.
POSITION IMPACT
This position(s) will likely be multi-focused, assisting park staff with various projects aimed at monitoring, protecting, and improving the parks natural resources. This project ties into the NPS mission by aiding in the monitoring of wilderness character and park resources, to identify status and trends, and to evaluate the efficacy of current management practices.
DELIVERABLES
The selected candidate will be able to, using ESRI's suite of products, record and report the results from various surveys of Gulf Islands natural resources. The intern will also be responsible for carrying forward projects previously established with SIP interns. Interns will also be given the opportunity to compile, evaluate, and report field data collected.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
We're looking for interns with a basic understanding and education in basic biological principles and processes that have a willingness to learn. Candidates must be able to assist in strenuous field work, often in hot humid field conditions with biting insects. Field work may consist of long treks through remote wilderness, often with little protection from the elements. In addition, field work is primarily conducted on a series of offshore barrier islands, ranging from 8 - 13 miles offshore requiring as much as an hour-long boat ride. Candidates should also be comfortable being in the vicinity of animals being dispatched. Approximately 75% of work will be performed outside on barrier islands. Field work requires walking, bending, and lifting 25+ pounds on a regular basis. Participants may be subject to biting insects and inclement weather including extreme heat, humidity, wind, and rain. Interns will be required to ride in a small boat to barrier island work sites, and to traverse several miles in soft sand and/or brush while carrying a backpack and equipment. The remaining 25% of duties will be performed in an office setting. Intern will be required to sit for extended periods of time while performing repetitive manual tasks.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. The applicant must be available to participate for 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
Primary work duties will require participants to conduct field work in remote and often arduous field conditions with limited to no access to modern amenities. Participants will assist park staff and completing various inventories and monitoring of park natural resources. Gulf Islands National Seashore is managed in two distinct districts, Mississippi and Florida. This position will work solely in the Mississippi District in be housed in the Davis Bayou area. The Davis Bayou area is a very urban portion of Gulf Islands, nestled in the middle of Ocean Springs, MS. Ocean Springs, MS is a vibrant coastal artsy community of just under 20,000 annual residents and was recently named one of the 'USA's best coastal towns'.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing provided is a private bedroom with shared common spaces including bathroom, full kitchen (stove, microwave, refrigerator), and furnished living area with co-ed roommate(s). We can often accommodate a private bathroom.
KEYWORDS
Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Wilderness, Nutria, Marine Debris, Shorebird Monitoring
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first. Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks Intern positions per winter. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.)
LEARN MORE
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/