Internships

Research Intern Opportunities

Insect Inventories 2010 - POSITIONS FILLED

The Research Department has openings for two interns for conducting several inventories in various barrens, grassland and island habitats across Massachusetts, focusing on Lepidoptera (particularly moths), but involving other orders as well. Most of the inventory work will be conducted by setting out light-traps at night and retrieving them the following morning.

Interns will be responsible for set-up and retrieval of the traps, sorting and pinning of specimens and data entry. Interns will also conduct some daylight inventories for butterflies, tiger beetles, dragonflies and/or other selected groups.
Locations not yet finalized.

After instruction on trap set-up and initial visits with their supervisor to the study sites, fieldwork generally will be carried out independently by the interns. Some sites might require overnight camping. Interns must have their own vehicles. Compensation: $150/week stipend. 

Internship period: mid to end May through August 20, 2010. 
Extension through the fall is possible.

Interested applicants should send resume and cover letter to:

Mark Mello
Research Director
Lloyd Center for the Environment
430 Potomska Rd.
Dartmouth, MA 02748
or e-mail markmello@lloydcenter.org 

2010 Endangered Species (Piping Plovers) - POSITIONS FILLED

The Research Department has openings for seasonal internships for survey, protection and monitoring of the endangered piping plover on beaches
owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation in Bristol County (Horseneck, Demarest Lloyd, Gooseberry, and West Island).

These sites include state parks and have high levels of public visitation and recreation during the beach season and therefore require intensive piping plover management. Opportunities exist for collaboration with other organizations on additional nearby sites. Please read our piping plover page for further background about this longstanding project.

Summary of duties:
Location of breeding pairs and nests; installation of symbolic fencing around breeding territories and predator exclosures around nests; monitoring active nests and broods to determine reproductive success and causes of mortality (e.g. predation, weather, disturbance); public education and enforcement during busy beach days; assistance with data tabulation/summary; attendance at final state wrap-up meeting.

As research interns, plover staff also assist with other ongoing projects within the department as time allows, such as water quality and salt marsh monitoring. Interns also have the opportunity to assist other departments as time allows, and represent the Center as an associate member of the staff at Lloyd Center events.

Qualifications:
Academic: Applicants must (1) have completed a full year of college level academic courses, (2) be following a course of study for a degree with emphasis on wildlife conservation, and (3) must demonstrate an interest in protection of rare and/or endangered species.  Applicants who are specifically seeking a wildlife/conservation or biology-oriented field research career will be given special consideration.

In addition, applicants must:
1) be sufficiently fit for intervals of moderate physical labor, walking beaches under hot sun or occasional adverse weather, etc;
2) demonstrate attentiveness to detail required for maintaining season-long field notes;
3) have report-writing experience;
4) be comfortable interacting with various beach officials, other shorebird monitors, and members of the general public (in both educational and “enforcement” capacity);
5) be able to work independently (once instructed in internship routine);
6) be adaptable to changing field conditions, including many consecutive days in field;
7) participate in other Lloyd Center projects and be able to represent the Lloyd Center as an “associate” member of the staff;

Number of positions: Two
Duration: April (must be available by May 10 to be considered) through mid or late August (start and end dates flexible)
Stipend (expense reimbursement):  $150/week, on-job mileage (own vehicle required; company vehicle often available)
Schedule:  40 hours per week, including at least 1 weekend day as well as on Memorial and Independence Day holidays (high traffic at plover beaches)

Note: Internships involve work on weekends and holidays, for which compensatory time will be granted.

If interested, please send cover letter, résumé, etc., a.s.a.p., or by April 30 to:
Jamie Bogart, Research Associate
Lloyd Center for the Environment
430 Potomska Road, Dartmouth, MA, 02748
(508)-990-0505(X23) or email jbogart@lloydcenter.org

Education 2010

The Education Department of the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies is in need of four (4) interns for the summer of 2010. The interns are responsible for assisting the education staff in teaching our hands-on science programs.  The Lloyd Center’s educational philosophy is that hands-on experiential learning brings the study of science alive. Through this approach students develop and retain knowledge of how the environment works and an appreciation for the need to conserve natural areas.

Dates: May/June 2010 – August 2010

Responsibilities: Interns are responsible for assisting the education staff in teaching hands-on, science programs for children in Kindergarten through Middle School.  The programs include field-based coastal ecology programs and in-school programs on estuarine organisms, whales, horseshoe crabs and watershed issues. Interns also help to develop and implement activities for our summer programs in
Coastal Studies.

We offer introductory environmental programs for children 5- 8 years old and more in-depth science courses for students entering 4th through 8th grades. Interns also assist with outreach programs, canoe and kayak trips, lectures and walks for the general public.  Interns also help to maintain our fresh and saltwater aquaria.

Qualifications:
      Experience in marine biology, ecology, or environmental science helpful
      Knowledge of coastal environment helpful
      Experience working with children
      CPR/First Aid Training helpful
      Ability to work well with others 
      Positive attitude, enthusiasm, ability to work independently
      Commitment to teaching
      Sense of humor

Compensation:
$150/week living expenses and housing if needed.  

If interested, please send a cover letter, resume and three references to:

Rachel L. Stronach
Education Director
Lloyd Center for the Environment
430 Potomska Road
Dartmouth, MA 02748
Email: rstronach@lloydcenter.org or phone: 508-990-0505 ext. 11