Research Opportunities/Resources


2008 Research Intern Opportunities

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.

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. Housing available if needed.

Interested applicants should send resume and cover letter to Mark Mello,
430 Potomska Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02748 or e-mail markmello@lloydcenter.org 

2008 Endangered Species (Piping Plovers)

The Lloyd Center for the Environment 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 (e.g., Horseneck, Demarest Lloyd State Park, Gooseberry Neck, and West Island). These sites have high levels of public visitation and recreation during spring and summer and therefore require intensive piping plover management. Opportunities for work at other local sites, in addition to DCR beaches, anticipated. Please read our piping plover page for further background about the project.

Summary of field duties:
Site discovery of breeding pairs and nests, “symbolic fencing” of breeding areas, installation of predator exclosures around nesting territories, monitoring of active nests and broods, monitoring of predators, public education and enforcement, and at season's end, assist with report preparation of season summary, attendance at final wrap-up meeting.

Involvement in the surveying of other beach wildlife (e.g. terns, oystercatchers, tiger beetles, diamondback terrapins), expected; assisting with other research projects when plover work subsides, and representing the Lloyd 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 12 to be considered) through mid or late August (start and end dates flexible)
Stipend (expense reimbursement):  $150/week, housing if needed, 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