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Minimum six-month commitment, nine-month commitment preferred

Five positions available on a rotating basis

A von Arx Wildlife Hospital Intern will gain experience in the field of wildlife rehabilitation as well as focus is on natural history of native Florida wildlife, husbandry, nutrition, capture and restraint, behavioral observation, accurate record keeping and public relations. The intern is introduced to basic medical concepts pertinent to wildlife rehabilitation. Interns are supervised by five wildlife rehabilitators, the staff veterinarian and the hospital director while assisting in care and daily feeding and cleaning of native birds, mammals and reptiles. This position is challenging and requires participants be enthusiastic, hard-working, dedicated and motivated.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Wildlife intern applicant must be at least a senior in college, with skills and/or experience with wildlife.
• Preference will be given to those with prior rehabilitation experience.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

Upon completion of the intern program, you will leave with a varied experience about wildlife rehabilitation that can include animal care, basic medical techniques, education program development, public speaking skills, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Become a wildlife intern today!

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

Six to nine-month positions available on a rotating basis

Interns in the Conservancy’s Dalton Discovery Center care for live exhibits that house over 125 species of local wildlife including marine and freshwater fish and invertebrates, reptiles amphibians and raptors. Interns will work with protected wildlife such as a loggerhead sea turtle and American alligators and will assist the Environmental Education team with animal collection at various coastal locations.

In addition, interns will assist with teaching daily environmental education programs for audiences of all ages and presenting live animals for these programs. Interns will also deliver curriculum based environmental education programs to students in Pre-K through high school as well as lead interpretive Nature Center tour, assist with lecture series, assist with special events, lead off-site outreach programs and lend a hand with field trip programs.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must be at least a senior in college or possess a BS or BA in science and/or education.
• Environmental science/ecology, education or comparable background with a strong interest to work in a nature center and with diverse audiences of all ages.
• Some teaching experience is preferable but not required.
• Good communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors in hot, humid and sometimes buggy conditions. Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

You will gain experience in several fields such as education, interpretation and husbandry. You will also gain extensive knowledge of Southwest Florida’s unique ecosystems and assist the staff in bringing environmental awareness to thousands of students and visitors.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

(Mid-May to mid-August)

Help teach a variety of science and ecological programs, both on and off-site during an intensive 4-week environmental summer camp. Assist lead counselors with program trips, care of campers before and after camp, and program delivery to second through eighth grades. Serve as a responsible counselor and positive role model for campers. Lead games, crafts, and field trips to area wildlife locations such as beaches, swamps, and parks. Summer camp interns will also assist in delivering outreach programs using the Conservancy’s STEM Learning Adventures Bus (LAB), a mobile classroom designed to bring hands-on science fun to the community.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must be at least a senior in college with an academic background in science, education or comparable discipline.
• Teaching experience preferred but not required.
• Strong commitment to environmental education and conservation.
• Good communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and willing to work outside in hot, humid and sometimes buggy conditions.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

The Conservation Intern will gain experience in the field of education, both classroom and field work, and environmental science/conservation. The Conservation Intern will gain extensive knowledge of southwest Florida’s unique ecosystems, educational program development and will have numerous opportunities to visit beaches, swamps, barrier islands and other unique habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

Six to nine month positions available on a rotating basis

Assist the Environmental Science Team in a variety of research projects such as wetland assessments, water quality monitoring, mangrove research, or sea turtle research. Responsible for additional duties, as assigned, such as data entry, sample processing and equipment maintenance.

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS or BA in one of the biological or environmental sciences.
• Background in field survey techniques or willingness to learn.
• Willingness to work indoors and outdoors – often in humid conditions.
• Willingness to work outside of the usual 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM business hours when necessary. Working knowledge of MS Access and/or MS Excel preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS:

An experience that will provide the Conservation Intern with an increased understanding and appreciation of environmental field research.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace.

Three internships available from April-August

One internship available from April-October each year

Interns will monitor beaches on Keewaydin Island for sea turtle nesting activity. Cage nests and tag nesting turtles on the southern four miles of Keewaydin Island. Patrol on an ATV to look for nesting sea turtles (nights and/or days); cage nests to prevent depredation by raccoons; tag nesting females and accurately record data on carapace dimensions and nest locations; monitor nest-hatching success by excavating nests and counting hatched and un-hatched eggs; safely operate ATV and a motorboat; maintain the ATVs, a generator, and a motorboat by changing the oil on a regularly scheduled basis, fix flat tires, make sure gasoline is on the island to fuel the generator and ATVs, and prepare the equipment for the next evening after each night's field work is completed; keep the field station clean during the course of the summer; enter research information in computer system’s database. Relate to the public in a cheerful, positive manner when asked questions about sea turtles while patrolling the beaches.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a college senior in one of the biological or environmental sciences, with BS or BA preferred.
• Interest in field biology and willingness to work under adverse field conditions at night.
• Working knowledge of the care and operation of ATVs, motorboats, and small engines an asset.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

BENEFITS

An experience that will provide the Conservation Intern with an increased understanding and appreciation of Environmental Field Research.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace

Six to nine-month positions available on a rotating basis

Assist the Collaborative Burmese Python Research Project Team through intensive radio-telemetry tracking of invasive snakes throughout Southwest Florida. Responsible for additional duties, as assigned, such as data entry, sample processing and equipment maintenance.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or BA in one of the biological or environmental sciences.

• Background in field survey techniques or willingness to learn.

• Willingness to work in extreme outdoors conditions. Ability to help drag or carry large snakes through the woods.

• Willingness to work in the laboratory setting assisting with necropsies. Working knowledge of MS Excel preferred.

• Willingness to work outside of the usual 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM business hours when necessary. 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Understanding of geologic time scale and sense of humor preferred.

BENEFITS

An adventurous and hands-on experience that will provide the Conservation Intern with an increased understanding and appreciation of environmental field research. Networking opportunities with professionals in the field of herpetology and invasive animal research. Ability to work closely with large, invasive apex predators and live to tell about it.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a Drug and Smoke Free Workplace

Six to nine month positions available on a rotating basis

Environmental policy interns will work with the Conservancy’s highly skilled Environmental Policy Team to research environmental issues and advocate for the Conservancy’s positions on a local, state, and/or federal level.

As an environmental policy intern, you will assist with the creation of comment letters, presentations, and handouts. You will sit in on and participate in relevant meetings to help protect Southwest Florida’s land, water, and wildlife as well as conduct public outreach on Conservancy programs and positions. Other responsibilities may include conducting literature reviews and evaluating proposed rules and legislation.

Daily administrative duties will include tracking issues in the media and other office tasks as required. This position is office-based, but also entails offsite meetings.

If you thrive in a fast paced, detail oriented environment, we are the team for you!

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Qualifications

• Strong commitment to the conservation of water, land and wildlife.
• BS or BA, preferably in environmental policy or the environmental studies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Working knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing applications.
• Strong organizational and leadership abilities.
• Willing to work variable hours and to travel locally as necessary. Must possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Ability to work independently under rapidly changing situations and be flexible.
• Ability to work well with and appreciate your co-workers is a must.
• GIS experience preferred

Benefits

Interns will leave this experience with a better understanding of the government’s legislative and regulatory processes as well as deeper insight into the politics behind policy. Successful interns will become more skilled at the tasks assigned to full-time policy professionals and build lasting professional connections with the Conservancy Team.

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THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS A DRUG AND SMOKE FREE WORKPLACE.