Senior Sea Turtle Conservation Program Nesting Internship
Sea Turtle Conservation Program Nesting Intern Description
POSITION TITLE: Sea Turtle Nesting Intern
REPORTS TO: Sea Turtle Conservation Program Staff
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Interns for the Sea Turtle Conservation Program will support the completion of all activities as listed in the Marine Turtle Permit held under the Sea Turtle Conservation Program. The incumbent will adhere to all policies outlined in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Turtle Conservation Handbook, CMA policies and all city, state and federal regulations in a collaborative effort to complete FWC-authorized activities during the sea turtle nesting season. The primary responsibility of this position will be to contribute to the completion and documentation of sea turtle nest surveys, including by not limited to, locating evidence of all nocturnal nesting activity, nest marking, monitoring and evaluations within the survey area, and for regulatory projects as they may apply during the nesting season (April – October). The intern will also contribute to regular data entry and maintenance. They will be responsible for other tasks such as education with internal and external customers, participating in PR promotions, and the cleaning and maintenance of all equipment. These job functions require the intern to maintain flexible working hours, be amenable to shifting priorities and other changes, and be able to adjust accordingly.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
· Assist the CMA Sea Turtle Conservation Program to ensure daily completion of sea turtle nesting surveys within the survey area in compliance with FWC Marine Turtle Conservation Handbook, city, state and federal laws, in addition to CMA policies and SOPs
· Work with authorized personnel to correctly identify and document all sea turtle nesting activities, to include, but not limited to:
o sea turtle crawl tracks –for each species
o differentiating between a nest and a false crawl
o marking a nest site
o check each nest daily, identifying signs of predation, vandalism, and/or hatching
o identifying disorientation events or obstructed nesting attempts
o performing nest inventories
· Professional communication to municipal entities once surveys are completed to allow for beach cleaning activities to commence
· Accurate data collection, entry and maintenance
· Educate the public about:
o sea turtle nesting behavior
o the impact of lighting, beach debris, habitat destruction, and marine pollution with regard to sea turtles
o the mission, vision and values of CMA
· Clean and stock nesting equipment daily
· Safe operation of CMA vehicles, 4-wheel drive trucks or ATVs, on the beach and in roadways as applicable
· Responsible for executing all vehicle cleaning, maintenance, service transport, and completion of vehicle inspections
· Perform all other duties as needed
REQUIRED SKILLS:
· Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to comfortably interact with the public on a regular basis
· Able to maintain a positive working relationship with all internal and external entities including, but not limited to, staff, volunteers, interns, municipal employees, and members of the press at all times
· Capable of working in a high stress environment with restrictive timelines
· Strong problem solving and time management skills, with an ability to plan, organize and prioritize multiple tasks at once
· Self-motivated, confident, and disciplined with excellent work ethics
· Team oriented attitude
· Ability to work independently as well as in a group setting
· Familiarity with computers, including but not limited to MS office software (Word/Excel) and Adobe Acrobat Reader
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
· Lift up to 50lbs to waist level - Frequently
· Lift up to 20lbs to shoulders and above head – Occasionally
· Walk/stand for long periods of time - Frequently
· Maneuver safely on uneven terrain or in tight spaces - Frequently
· Safely climb ladders when needed – Occasionally
· Squat, bend, kneel, twist and reach - Frequently
· Reach above the shoulders - Frequently
· Push and pull larger equipment – Frequently
· Work outdoors in all weather conditions and adapt to changing weather heat, high humidity, direct sunlight, rain, wind and outdoor conditions (insects, sand, etc.) – Frequently
· Work indoors, under cover without air conditioning or heat – Frequently
· Able to ride on an ATV and drive vehicles in unexpected terrain for extended periods of time.
SCHEDULE:
· This internship has a minimum number of hours to satisfactorily complete the internship
o 3 month internships 500 hours
o 4 month internship 650 hours
o 5 month internships 800 hours
o 6 month internship 950 hours
· Sea Turtle and Conservation Program Intern job responsibilities will require the intern to maintain flexible working hours, be amendable to shifting priorities and other changes, and be able to adjust accordingly
· STCP Intern will make a commitment to working 5 days a week for morning patrol shifts throughout the internship (usually a 6-8 hour shift scheduled in advance)
· Commit to one on-call shift a week at night to release hatchlings or check cages, if needed
· Attendance is mandatory during the internship. Excessive call offs will disqualify you from the program
o If you must call out due to sickness the day of your scheduled shift, you must speak to an on-duty staff member prior to the start of your shift
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required.
All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.
Company is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium participates in E-Verify, please view the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Notice of Right to Work.