HANDS-ON: Diamondback terrapins (like this one to be released above) and ospreys are the focus of two projects run by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation, which is looking to hire seasonal interns and field technicians. (Photo by Jack Reynolds)
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation in New Jersey is looking for student interns and seasonal field technicians to help with several wildlife conservation projects this summer, including the Great Bay Terrapin Project and the NJ Osprey Project. Both of these positions have application deadlines of April 21st.
As Ben Wurst, Senior Wildlife Biologist, points out, “Providing unique, hands-on learning experiences to college students will help them gain the skills and knowledge to find a full-time job in the environmental field. I’ve worked with dozens of college students who have dedicated a lot of time helping to Ensuring that our conservation efforts are meaningful. They also encounter rare wildlife up close, which is something I really love to share.”
The 2023 Great Bay Terrapin Project Student Summer Research Internship is a seasonal volunteer position that involves working with CWF biologists and seasonal staff conducting hourly surveys on Great Bay Boulevard in Little Egg Harbor from mid-May to late July.
“Interns will use their own vehicle to conduct field work and collect morphometric data on the extreme terrain encountered on the roads,” the nonprofit explains. They will also work with volunteers to schedule patrols and manage the routes that are being run. The main goals of the project are to reduce road fatality rates, increase awareness about the terrain and educate the public about the terrain. Interns will also assist with data entry and analysis to prepare annual reports.”
In addition, the trainees will assist in monitoring a large area of habitat improvement for terrapin nesting. Nests will be marked and aviaries will be enclosed in cages, and adults will be captured for measurement and marking before being released to the place of capture.
CWF is looking for three or four student interns for this project. Interns will be reimbursed for mileage, if required.
The group is also looking for an hourly Field Technician to assist the NJ Osprey Project Leader. “Daily tasks will vary depending on when the osprey nesting season is,” CWF explains. “In the spring, they will help repair or replace nest platforms. This can be as simple as carrying equipment and tools or as difficult as physically helping to lift a 300-pound wooden platform punishment.
“During nesting season, field techs will assist with boat surveys of ospreys, help with navigation to sites, carry ladders, and record data. They will be trained on how to properly handle young ospreys and their squad.”
The technician will also survey nests by road by driving to nest sites and using optics to record sightings at nests. If there are emergency calls of entangled birds or problematic nests, field tech may have to help respond to these situations. Finally, they will help with data entry and summarize the results of annual reports.
To learn more about these and other jobs, or to apply, visit Consewildlifenj.org/about/employment/#a. —JK-H.