Sea Turtle Conservation Intern

Coastal Connections, Inc. (CCinc), is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit with a mission to protect coastal habitats for sea turtle survival by educating and connecting people to the environment.  We are seeking one conservation assistant to help with sea turtle conservation projects and provide support to sustainability and education programs in Vero Beach, Florida. Selected candidates must be available May through August (approx. 16 week commitment); start and end dates are semi-flexible. Assistants will be provided a free or highly discounted housing option and a stipend of $525 to supplement their cost of living expenses. All assistants will be expected to provide up to 30 hours per week in an office, remotely at home, and outside in the elements. 

All applicants are expected to fulfill roles professionally.

Sea Turtle Conservation and Research

Primary Responsibilities

• Identify species by tracks and assist with nest marking during daily nest surveys
• Conduct nest excavations and data collection for reproductive success at public Turtle Dig Events
• Scout for and identify nesting loggerhead turtles after dark during public Turtle Walk Events
• Assist with processing, documentation, and transport of live and dead stranded sea turtles
• Fulfill all duties in accordance with Local, State, and Federal regulations
• Assist with permitted research projects based on project availability
• Attend applicable county public meetings
• Attend FWC Strandings and Survey training session and all CCinc trainings
• Develop, plan, and implement a summer project of your choosing based on your interest and skills you desire to learn and practice throughout your internship

Other Duties

Additional Responsibilities 

• Assist with collecting and organizing social media photo and video content 
• Participate in and represent CCinc at various small fundraising events
• Help in the CCinc gift shop one day/week
• Transport and load/unload gear from storage location to event and program location using a personal vehicle
• Provide feedback throughout the summer and at the end of your internship to enhance current conservation and research programs

Qualifications

Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants must be college students or recent graduates with a conservation, biology, environmental science, coastal engineering, or related degree who are responsible, adaptable, self-motivated, have good attention to detail, and are comfortable working with children of all ages. Maturity and professionalism are necessary when interacting with the public and when working with CCinc staff and volunteers. Applicants must be eligible to work in the US, possess a valid US driver’s license, have a car or mode of transportation for daily work with valid insurance, be able to work well in teams and independently and be willing to work in adverse weather conditions. Applicants should also be proficient in Microsoft Office or Google Suite. Applicants will be expected to commit 16  weeks during the summer, use proficient public speaking skills, and work a flexible, non-traditional, non-structured schedule. A volunteer waiver will need to be executed before any work with CCinc can begin. 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by a Conservation Intern to successfully perform essential functions. It is up to the applicant to gauge whether they are able to perform the physical requirements of this position prior to applying for the position.

Requirements Include:

• Standing and sitting for extended periods of time while instructing and interacting with students and adults
• Walking long distances on and standing in sand for long periods of time
• Spending long periods of time in the sun and in a hot climate
• Spending long periods of time in buggy conditions without wind
• Working long periods of time in rain or shine
• Lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds at a time

Many field duties will be completed outside where the environmental elements of heat, rain, and bugs are present. Interns will be required to work early mornings and late nights until all duties have been completed through all types of weather conditions. 

How to Apply

After reviewing the job description above,  all interested applicants should email Kendra@coastal-connections.org to request a full application packet before Feb. 28, 2025: