Wildlife Research/Community Education Internship

Latino Internship Program: Wildlife Research/Community Education Internship

Position Location: California Coastal National Monument (CCNM) Monterey, CA.

Start Date:February, 2013.

Deadline to Apply: January 10, 2013. (Applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Position Description:

Environment for the Americas (EFTA) invites you to apply for our America's Great Outdoors internship opportunity. Internship work will focus on shorebird education and research. You will also become familiar with career opportunities in the field of wildlife conservation. Knowledge of conservation is not needed but a willingness to learn is required and an enthusiasm for nature encouraged. You will receive all necessary professional training and will gain real life job experience working alongside the EFTA staff and other wildlife conservation professionals.

Responsibilities of the intern include but is not limited to:

Field Work Responsibilities

• Shore and marsh bird monitoring.
• Work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Monterey Audubon Society on our weekly Black Oystercatcher nest monitoring.
• Initiate monitoring of surfbirds, turnstones, and other shorebirds using the rocky intertidal on and around the CCNM rocks along the Monterey Peninsula.
• Help California State Parks (the other CCNM Core-Managing Partner) with Snowy Plover monitoring at Fort Ord State Beach and/or Asilomar State Park.
• Write reports on findings, enter data into spreadsheets, make recommendations, and analyze data as assigned.

Education and Outreach Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of an outreach program to engage with local communities in order to promote migratory and shorebird conservation and BLM policy and regulations relating to public use.
• Deliver onsite and offsite public presentations on shorebird conservation to youth and adults.
• Promote programs with local English and Spanish-language media (radio, newspapers, schools) and engages the local Spanish speaking community in order to promote conservation.
• Work with youth and adults in field education and classroom programs.

Description of the America's Great Outdoors grant:

Environment for the Americas (EFTA) will collaborate with U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management on Celebra las Playeras (Celebrate Shorebirds), a comprehensive approach to engaging Latinos in natural resource careers and conservation action through internships at five sites. EFTA will recruit 8 Latino interns (ages 18-25) from colleges and local communities, especially youth who live near research sites to help create long-term relationships between agencies and nearby Latino communities, serve as role models, and increase awareness of conservation issues and careers in conservation. One intern will serve as liaison to recruit other interns, promote education, and track participant field experience and a second will work with USFS NatureWatch to develop online program materials and encourage awareness and future participation. The remaining interns will engage in field research, training, and data collection at sites in California, Colorado, and Alaska where monitoring shorebird populations is a priority.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Fluency in Spanish and English languages. Native Spanish speaker preferred.
• Some college course work in environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife biology, environmental science, or related field.
• A cooperative manner and the ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including some weekends, evenings, and overnight travel.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Good cross-cultural communication skills, experience with public speaking, and ability to work with leaders, educators, and other community members.
• U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• ATV certified (training provided).

Schedule: Part-time or full time position available.

Compensation: $1,000/month stipend for full time work.

Please note: Grant requires interns to be between the ages of 18-25 of Latino/Hispanic descent. It is mandatory for the intern to attend at least part of the conservation training which is scheduled to take place in California in February 2013. All expenses will be paid for.

For questions about the position please contact Natasha Kerr, Environment for the Americas at (720) 587-9272