Wildlife Technician Internship

Duties:  Monitoring of colonial nesting seabirds (primarily Artic Tern) and visitor use near nesting areas within the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area.  Operate surveillance camera system and set up game cameras to record nests and review video footage of Arctic Terns. Document behavior of birds, predators and human disturbance.  Conduct Northern Goshawk surveys and other project work as needed: salmonid and subsistence fisheries assistance, songbird work, amphibian survey, bat survey, , beaver management, passerine and hummingbird banding, environmental education, mountain goat monitoring, bear management.   Season dates: Approx.  April 20 – Aug. 2, 2020 (15 weeks)

Compensation: Housing provided in US Forest Service owned modern apartment building with access to trails and birding areas.  Bicycle provided for transportation, and bus systems nearby; $1500 travel stipend, and an additional stipend for food and supplies of approx. $280 per week. All field equipment and some personal field gear provided.  AmeriCorps eligibility could yield additional $1500 educational award.  And..the priceless experience working with some of the planet's coolest birds, near a glacier,  in a huge, wild, temperate rainforest!  

Desired skills: Interest in birds, mammals, fish, and conservation; basic bird ID skills.  Ability to learn quickly how to use cameras, and novel software, and to problem-solve and innovate in field situations.  Some college level biological course work completed, preferably including wildlife management. Ability to hike efficiently on uneven trails, carrying field gear. Willingness to work in weather that may be wet and cool; or buggy.  Able to work independently and to adhere to strict safely protocols. Demonstrated ability to take careful, complete, and accurate data and safely maintain it both in field and electronic formats.  Familiar with Microsoft applications and basic database use.  Willingness to work in both remote areas as well as settings busy with tourists, and to spend time in the Forest Service office for reporting and training.  Students with interest in pursuing seabird research are particularly encouraged to apply. The work  may provide opportunities for designing sub-studies or preparing a publication.

To Apply: Applications must be made through the Student Conservation Association (SCA). Note that non-students can apply but must be over age 18 with a high school diploma or GED.

See: https://www.thesca.org/serve/position/biological-technician-participant/po-00728564

Please additionally send a brief letter of interest and resume to Marci Johnson:  marci.johnson@usda.gov.

Deadline:  SCA does not specify hard deadlines, but please submit materials ASAP as review of applications will begin early January, 2020.