Manatee Internships Available

In cooperation with the Manatee Awareness Coalition (MAC) and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (St. Petersburg, Florida) and Tampa BayWatch, Inc. seek 7 interns to work on a Tampa Bay manatee program from January - March 2002 and 7 to work June - August 2002.

Tampa Bay Manatee Watch is a potentially precedent setting research study and educational program designed to protect manatees and promote stewardship of Tampa Bay. Interns participate in three main components: 1) Manatee/boater interaction research to assess the effectiveness of educational efforts, 2) Boater education on the water aboard a specially designed pontoon boat, and 3) Boater education on shore at area boat ramps, marinas, and festivals.

The research project is a 3-year manatee/boater interaction study. There are three 10-week sampling sessions each year (summer, fall, and winter). Observers use spotting scopes and binoculars to collect information describing boater activity at two study areas in St. Petersburg, Florida. Boater education is targeted at actual Bay users. Interns and volunteers provide users with free educational boater kits and easy techniques to protect manatees and seagrass habitat. They also talk with the community at boat ramps, marinas, festivals, and on Tampa Bay aboard a specially designed pontoon boats. We are currently accepting applications for the January - March 2002 and the June - August 2002 sampling sessions.

Manatee Watch Research Project Assistants (FWC)
Five positions are available for each 10-week sampling session. Junior and senior college students and recent graduates are eligible. Interns work approximately 35-40 hours per week (Tuesday -Saturday) and are required to commit to the full sampling period, plus training. Interns serve as "site captains" at one of five locations and are responsible for data collection, entry, and verification, equipment maintenance, and volunteer support. Although the manatee/boater interaction study is the primary focus, interns will participate in manatee photo-identification and other manatee-related programs.

Manatee Watch Coordinator Assistants (Tampa BayWatch, Inc.)
Two positions are available for each 10-week sampling session (longer internships may be possible). Interns will assist the Manatee Watch Coordinator with all aspects of the program. Interns will work both in the field and in the office. Interns work approximately 35-40 hours per week and are required to commit to the full sampling period, plus training. Interns should expect to work Tuesday -Saturday and some weeknights during the sampling session. Interns must be friendly, with an open attitude since both positions will speak publicly, recruit volunteers, and interact frequently with the public.

The Education Assistant Intern will primarily assist with the educational program. The interns will spend a minimum of three days in a busy office. Office tasks include: developing and preparing materials for boater education, writing and publishing the community newsletter, scheduling training sessions, preparing the volunteer calendars, tracking administrative information, and fielding program questions by phone. Fieldwork includes (primarily) boater education with occasional research project fieldwork. The Research Assistant Intern will assist the research program. Fieldwork includes providing back up to the line-of-sight surveys and conducting community volunteer visits during scheduled field days. In the office, the intern will enter boater education information data and track volunteer hours for the research project.

Qualifications: Interns should have some research field experience, be computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Access97 or Access2000, and be proficient in the use of a 35-mm camera, various filters and lenses. Small watercraft and spotting scope experience are desirable, but not necessary. In addition, interns must be able to stand for up to 3-hours in harsh weather conditions (sun/wind/water), able to carry approximately 50 lbs. over a sandy terrain, swim, and have a valid driver's license. These positions are unpaid, housing is not provided, and interns must have or find transportation to FMRI and/or Tampa BayWatch, Inc. While these internships are not paid positions, they are excellent resume builders. In addition, interns will participate in scientific research and other manatee-related projects, meet other marine scientists, and polish public speaking and writing skills while participating in an innovative environmental education program that may change manatee protection strategies state-wide.

Please send internship application including project interest (Manatee Watch), transcripts, cover letter, references, and E-mail address to: Mr. Bill Arnold FWC/FMRI 100 8th Ave. SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3095 727-896-8626 Additional information about FWC' s manatee programs and internships may be found at www.floridamarine.org.

posted 6 Nov 01