Summer Internship (2)

Great Hollow will begin accepting applications for up to two paid internships starting immediately. The internships will be open to undergraduate or graduate students who are majoring in the natural sciences, have a strong academic record and an interest in field biology, and have demonstrated experience with the identification of Northeastern forest plants, arthropods, and/or birds. Interns will mainly assist with the second year of a 3-year study of the effects of invasive Japanese barberry removal on plant, arthropod, and bird species composition. To be able to conduct the necessary field work for the project, applicants must be skilled at identifying plants, arthropods, and/or birds of northeastern U.S. forests. We do not expect individual applicants to have experience with all 3 taxa, so those with experience with only 1 or 2 are still encouraged to apply. We will attempt to pair 2 interns with complementary skills together (e.g., one person with bird ID skills and another with plant and arthropod ID skills). Aside from working on this project, interns will potentially assist with acoustic bat surveys (including recorder deployment, sound-file processing, and data organization, with training provided) and miscellaneous other field work, and occasionally be asked to help with invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, miscellaneous office duties, facility maintenance and cleaning, care of our non-releasable birds of prey, community events, and kids’ education programs to contribute to the general day-to-day operation of Great Hollow. Internships begin in late May and last approximately 8 weeks (start and end dates slightly flexible). Interns receive a weekly stipend of $450 and free on-site, shared housing.

Minimum Qualifications

-Completion of at least 2 full years of a 4-year university program, majoring in natural resources, conservation biology, ecology, wildlife management, or a similar field.

-Strong identification skills for Northeastern forest plants, insects, and/or birds (by sight and sound). Experience gained solely from the lab section of a college course is insufficient. Applicants must demonstrate other sources of experience (e.g., prior field positions, atlasing efforts, volunteer work, etc.). Bird point-count survey experience is a big plus.

-Ability to enjoy working outdoors for several hours, sometimes under uncomfortable (e.g., hot, buggy) conditions.

-Physically fit and able to hike on rugged terrain.

-English fluency and ability to verbally communicate effectively.

-Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

-Ability to live in shared, drug-free and smoke-free housing with respect for others.

-Proof of existing health insurance coverage (not provided with internship).

-U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S.

Applications will be accepted from March 4 to March 29 and reviewed in the order in which they are received. To apply, please assemble a single PDF containing (1) a cover letter that includes a clear description of your relevant experience with Northeastern forest plant, insect, and/or bird ID; (2) a resume or CV; and (3) contact info and your relationship to at least two professional references, and email to Great Hollow’s post-doctoral researcher Sarah Deckel (sdeckel@greathollow.org) AND CC the executive director Chad Seewagen (cseewagen@greathollow.org). Please label the PDF as “Last name_first name” and put “Last name_2024 Internship Application” in the subject line of your email. Applications that fail to follow these basic instructions may be disqualified.