Coastal Ecology Intern

The Trustees of Reservations•Ipswich, MA

8d•$17•Onsite

About The Position

Looking to gain meaningful experience in coastal ecology while experiencing the beauty of the Great Salt Marsh? As a Coastal Ecology intern, you’ll make a meaningful contribution to our efforts to monitor and collect critical data around large-scale salt marsh restoration on the North Shore of Massachusetts. As the Coastal Ecology Intern you’ll spend the summer assisting with monitoring, research, and management activities associated with large-scale salt marsh restoration in the Great Marsh–the largest salt marsh ecosystem in New England–on the North Shore of Massachusetts. You’ll work with and support seasonal and permanent staff in the collecting of biological and physical data used to assess restoration goals. Beginning in late May or early June and working through August, you’ll spend 30 hours per week learning about and participating in nature-based salt marsh restoration techniques and exploring the climate change-driven challenges stewardship managers face in coastal areas.

Requirements

Coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field
Strong verbal and written communication skills
The ability to work alone in the field or remotely as well as with volunteers and the public on occasion
Ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions
Ability to perform physically strenuous duties, such as hiking up to several miles throughout a day
Ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds
Ability to occasionally work some weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (depending upon wildlife, weather, tides and contractor availability)
A valid driver’s license and transportation to sites
Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting marsh-nesting bird surveys (preferred)
Experience with biological data collection and management (preferred)
Experience with GPS navigation (preferred)
Experience working with volunteers and/or citizen science programs (preferred)

Responsibilities

Conduct bird surveys to document habitat quality and use on more than 300 acres of salt marsh including:
Surveys of breeding birds with a focus on saltmarsh sparrows following established monitoring protocols (i.e., SHARP)
Monitoring tern foraging activity
Monitoring non-breeding bird use within salt marsh restoration areas and coordinate volunteer participation as time allows
Documenting habitat characteristics for saltmarsh sparrow nest sites
Collect data for breeding mosquitoes on 90 acres of salt marsh
Collect data on salt marsh restoration projects including ditch remediation, runnels, nesting islands and marsh pools

Benefits

Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront.
Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

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