FWRI Jen Eells Memorial Intern, Wildlife Research, Terrestrial Mammal Research - Gainesville

This internship opportunity is offered through the Steidinger Scholars program, dedicated to the memory of Jennifer “Jen” Eells, a passionate FWC mammal biologist.  This opportunity is intended to give wildlife students an opportunity to gain practical skills working with mammals and other nongame species, and to honor Jen’s “delight in the little things.”

Successful applicants participate in 3-month long part- to full-time paid internships during the summer, May-August (occasionally fall or winter term opportunities may be available). Mentored by FWRI scientists, future investigators work on a variety of projects that inform the protection, conservation, and management of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.

The program is open to all recent high school graduates or new college students (years 1-2) of all genders from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Successful candidates will have the ability to work in a team environment, adapt to changing work environments and priorities, and work in a range of settings including office, laboratory and outdoors in all weather conditions.

Duties/tasks are position specific to the opportunity (see below) but include:

• Direct project activities such as training in and assisting with field and laboratory duties to ongoing research and management projects and programs
• Shadowing staff and researchers in a variety of research areas
• Participating in training, workshops, and other education and career development planning activities
• Presenting on the experience

Qualifications:

• All applicants must be a recent or expected high school graduate, or 1-2 year college student by the time of internship start. (Applicants at the Junior or beyond years of study, see other opportunities)
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Willingness to learn.
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Good written and oral communication.
• A passion for and interest in science. Prior learning or experience is not required.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. including having a valid social security card.

Women and students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Women and students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Wildlife Research, Terrestrial Mammal Research - Gainesville 

Opportunity #: FWRI JE-SU25_08

This opportunity is for a highly motivated individual to assist the Terrestrial Mammal Research Subsection with various projects on Florida’s land mammals across the state. Intern will be paired with researchers to learn field methods used to investigate mammal ecology, population biology and conservation. Projects may include capturing and tracking bats to understand roost selection, collecting hair samples from bears to estimate population abundance, learning to work with a scat detection dog, and setting out camera traps to detect mink, weasels, skunks, deer and panthers. There may also be other opportunities with non-mammal species including herps and birds through the wildlife research lab and regional FWC office. When not in the field, intern will assist with data entry, camera trap processing and other miscellaneous office tasks to contribute to ongoing research projects. 

*Note: only candidates with a current rabies vaccine will be allowed to handle bats. Those without will only be able to observe bat handling and assist with equipment set up and data recording. 

Tasks/Position Requirements: Specific job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following::

• Travel to and conduct mammal research throughout the state
• Assist with bat mist netting and radio-telemetry of tricolored bats*
• Assist with Florida bonneted bat captures and PIT-tagging*
• Monitor bat houses for occupancy and maternity season timing
• Conduct vegetation surveys
• Deploy ultrasonic detectors to non-invasively record bat echolocation and learn how to process acoustic data
• Assist with collection of hair samples from bear hair corrals
• Deploy and retrieve camera traps for mink, panthers, skunks, weasels and deer
• Process and tag camera trap photos of Florida’s mammals
• Work with a scat detection dog for mammal surveys and training
• Work with regional biologists on non-mammal projects:
  • Conduct surveys for imperiled bird species (salt marsh songbirds, wading birds, and/or shorebirds)
  • Conduct surveys and management to benefit imperiled crayfish
• Record data onto datasheets, enter data into databases
• Maintain and safely store field equipment

Successful candidates should:

• Have an interest in Florida’s mammals and wildlife research and management
• Hold a valid Driver’s License and clean driving record
• Be comfortable working in remote locations at night, often in adverse conditions (high heat and humidity, flying and biting insects, or poor weather conditions should they arise)

Dates: mid-May to mid-August (start and end dates TBD)

Hours: Full or part-time opportunity depending on interest; may include late nights and/or weekends but schedule can be flexible.  

Supervisor: Variety of projects with several mentors

Location: Gainesville, Florida 

Housing is not provided.

College credit is possible. Candidates are responsible for checking with your department advisor at your home institution.

Visit program page for full application packet guidance https://myfwc.com/research/about/careers/internships-volunteers/eells/