DaRin Butz Foundation NWF Sea Turtle Intern, Escambia County

National Wildlife Federation•Tampa, FL

54d•$19 - $19

About The Position

The Gulf Program of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) seeks a part time DaRin Butz Foundation NWF Intern for a three-month internship to assist Escambia County staff with community outreach and engagement regarding wildlife-friendly lighting and coastal wildlife conservation. Artificial light from sources like homes, businesses, roadways and pools disrupts these natural nesting and emergence cues, which can lead to harmful impacts on both nesting females and hatchlings. Adult females are often deterred from nesting on heavily lit beaches, resulting in fewer nests or the selection of poor sites to lay eggs. For those that do try to nest on these artificially lit beaches, artificial light can cause false crawls (non-nesting emergences) and disorientations (inability to successfully locate the water) of both nesting females and just born sea turtles, which can result in death. Escambia County amended the Barrier Island Lighting Ordinance in July 2023 to extend protections for nesting sea turtles, shorebirds, and the Perdido Key Beach Mouse. The amended language includes updated ordinance language for Pensacola Beach (Santa Rosa Island) and a new ordinance for Perdido Key. The selected intern will assist staff in educating owners and property managers about the new ordinance language and requirements as well as general education and outreach on a variety of coastal conservation topics.

Requirements

Florida Resident
Enrolled in an undergraduate institution and completed at least 2 years of college education, or recent graduate, in a related field of study (biology, marine science, environmental policy, science education, communication, or similar fields)
Willingness to work on a flexible schedule of 20-30 hrs/ week, including evenings and occasional weekends
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Able to speak clearly and comfortably with diverse audiences (government employees, coastal businesses, general public, home owners)
Ability to communicate scientific/technical concepts to the general public
Knowledge of standard computer software, including Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Comfortable working outside for several hours at a time in Florida heat and humidity
Valid driver's license and willingness/ability to drive locally
Mileage reimbursement is available for approved travel and will be paid in alignment with IRS standards and applicable organizational policies
Willingness to use personal computer and/cell phone
Reliable and professional
Organized and self-motivated

Nice To Haves

Outreach and engagement facilitation
Wildlife Biology
Written communications
Coordinating, scheduling, and independent work

Responsibilities

Initiating contact with non-compliant properties about wildlife-friendly lighting requirements and responding to inquiries from property owners, managers and the general public
Assisting staff with evening lighting surveys, property site visits and other field work when needed
Data management and contact tracking
Community outreach and engagements activities related to coastal conservation topics
Draft content for social media, blogs, op-eds and other venues to promote sea turtle conservation
Representing Escambia County and NWF at community events and festivals
Attend relevant meetings and conferences
Other duties as assigned

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