Biological Science Technician in the Mississippi District of Gulf Islands National Seashore

GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE

INTERNSHIP POSITION DESCRIPTION
DIVISION OF SCIENCE AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

Seeking to fill one ten week internship position to serve as a Biological Science Technician in the Mississippi District of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The Mississippi District of Gulf Islands National Seashore is comprised of a 400 acre coastal salt marsh with live oak and pine headland in the city of Ocean Springs along with six barrier islands located 9-12 miles off the Mississippi coast. See http://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm.

Description of Work:

Intern will serve as a field technician on various resources management projects including monitoring and protecting nesting shorebirds. Responsibilities include making contacts with the public, inspecting closure signs and flagging, and monitoring shorebird activity. Work requires making basic wildlife identifications and recording observations.

Other duties can include assisting with a variety of science and resource management projects such as: monitoring of nesting sea turtles; GPS mapping of barrier island shorelines; surveying and mapping of non-native plant and animal species; assisting in the assessment of diamondback terrapins populations; compiling data into computerized databases.

Working Conditions:

Duties will require boat travel to the offshore barrier islands located 9 to 11 miles off the Mississippi mainland. Intern will be exposed to high heat, humidity, heavy rains, biting insects and poisonous snakes. Duties will involve rigorous work with various hand tools including posthole diggers, electric drills and portable electric generators. Job will require hiking long distances up to 6 miles daily. Frequently the job will require carrying equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. The work schedule will include weekends and holidays.
Equipment to be Provided:

Equipment and transportation to perform duties will be provided. This does not include personal gear and food.

Assistance locating housing will be available.

Knowledge and/or Skills Required:

Enthusiasm to work outdoors. Requires the ability identify common wildlife, to write legibly and to keep accurate observation records. Other needed skills will be taught on the job.

Training to be Provided:

Skills needed to perform duties except those listed above will be taught on the job. Training may include: general boat safety; GPS use, outdoor safety skills; basic shorebird identification.