The manatee
photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish
and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency of
Florida. For more information about FWRI, please visit: http://Research.MyFWC.com.
FWRI’s manatee photo-identification research focuses on the long-term
monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The primary goal of
our program is to document individual manatees. These capture histories
are used to estimate annual adult survival rates and to model population
dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery.
Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements,
site fidelity, habitat use, behavior, intra- and inter- specific associations,
and reproductive parameters such as calving intervals and length of calf
dependency.
Interns will primarily assist staff
members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental
data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a
number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images,
database entry, and matching images to known animals. Interns often
collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented
applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based,
however during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with
boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may
include, but are not limited to, data entry, special projects, and outreach
activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable
field and lab experience at a government agency.
Five positions are available each year:
two positions in the winter (December-March), one position in the spring
(March-May), one position in the summer (June-August), and one position in the
fall (September-November). Start and end dates are flexible. There
is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants
will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the
Institute. Positions are open until filled.
Qualifications:
·
Basic computer proficiency; Microsoft Access
literacy preferred;
·
Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras,
filters, and lenses preferred, but not required;
·
The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of
equipment;
·
A valid U.S. Driver’s License;
·
Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and
lab based research methods;
·
A willingness to spend a minimum of three months
working four days per week with our program.
Application process:
Please submit your cover letter, resume,
college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient), and the contact information
for three references via hardcopy to FWRI’s Intern Coordinator, Dr.
William Arnold, at the address listed below. Alternatively, application
materials may be submitted via email to ManateeInterns@MyFWC.com.
Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying
and the dates you are available.
Dr. William S. Arnold – Internship Coordinator
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 8th Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Applicants may contact FWRI’s Manatee
Photo-identification Project Manager, Kari Rood, (Kari.Rood@MyFWC.com, 727-896-8626 x1912)
with questions regarding the internship.