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Tom Yawkey Wildlife Preserve
Environmental Leadership Center of Warren Wilson College
Internship Program · Summer
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INTERNSHIP:
The intern will manage nests for the loggerhead sea turtles on South Island, a barrier island on the coast of South Carolina. The job entails surveying the beach at dawn to monitor and protect nests throughout the nesting season (May - October). The intern will also assist the state sea turtle coordinator with current field research. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Wildlife Diversity Section (WD) seeks an independent, self motivated intern able to work alone without supervision. The 20,000-acre Tom Yawkey Center is secluded (1 5 miles from nearest town - Georgetown, SC) with limited ferry access.
LOCATION: South Island, Georgetown County, South Carolina
DATES & DURATION: May 1- October 31 Note: Intern must be willing and able to work through the first term of the fall semester. Intern needs to plan to arrive at the Yawkey Wildlife Center immediately after the end of exams in May. Every attempt should be made to take exams early if possible.
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: One
LAST YEAR INTERN(S): Joe Kennedy
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Charlotte Hope at hopec@scdnr.state.sc.us
or (843) 844-2473
Job Description
DESCRIPTION OF INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Intern will carry out the following: patrol the 3.5-mile undeveloped beach at dawn seven days a week for signs of sea turtle nesting activity from the previous night; verify all nesting crawls, relocate nests if necessary, and monitor the nests throughout their incubation; control predators; operate a four-wheel drive truck and ATV (all terrain vehicle) for transportation on the island; conduct inventories after hatchlings emerge to determine hatching results; collect basic data from stranded sea turtle carcasses.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Student must be a Warren Wilson College Environmental Leadership Center student in good standing and possess the skills necessary to excel in this position: ability to work independently work conscientiously, and work well with others; ability to work outside, tolerating the heat and biting insects; and must enjoy solitude with average working hours between 6 - 10 AM, seven days a week (therefore there is a lot of "off time"). Student must also possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle. Intern will be trained by SCDNR staff on site. Student will produce a report summarizing the nesting season which is due by the end of December. Finally, the intern must meet all follow-up requirements mandated by the Environmental Leadership Center's Internship Program.
COMPENSATION:
The intern will be provided with $1000 per month and a private furnished house. A state vehicle to use on the island will also be provided. There is plenty of opportunity for barrier island sports: sea kayaking (boat not provided), fishing, crabbing, and wildlife viewing.
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