All internships are trainee positions. Stipends are provided to offset living costs for all projects except Southeast Farallon Island. Stipends vary between $500-$1200 per month on a project by project basis. Most projects accept applications year-round-- note start dates of the various positions. Please see descriptions of each internship below.
PRBO Conservation Science is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to conserving birds, other wildlife and their ecosystems through innovative scientific research and outreach.
Bird-banding and Nest-monitoring Internships at Palomarin Field Station Research
Interns needed year-round at PRBO's Palomarin Field Station on the Marin County coast, north of San Francisco, in Point Reyes National Seashore. We have been studying songbirds at the Palomarin Field Station since 1966, with special focus on the demographics of Wrentits and Song Sparrows.
Duration: There are three internship periods as follows: breeding season (Mar-Jul), fall migration (Aug-Nov), winter (Nov-Mar).
Description: Intern positions are primarily for nest searching and territory mapping (in spring/summer) or for mist-netting and banding (year-round) in coastal scrub and riparian habitats. Responsibilities may also include habitat assessment, conducting area searches and point counts, and public outreach. All internships include data entry. Expect long hours in the field and office. Interns will become proficient in landbird monitoring techniques and learn about various aspects of avian ecology (e.g., hands-on and via scientific literature).
Qualifications: Self-motivation, a sense of humor, and the desire to spend long hours in the field and office are required. Participants must be able to work independently as well as in groups. Exposure to poison oak is unavoidable. A functioning pair of binoculars is required. Interns must commit to a full “season” as follows: breeding season (Mar-Jul), fall migration (Aug-Nov), winter (Nov-Mar). Some of our internships require the use of a personal vehicle, current proof of insurance, and a driver's license. Any use of personal vehicles will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate.
Compensation: On-site housing is provided. This is a voluntary training position that includes a stipend to offset living expenses while on the project ($800 per month, gross).
To Apply: Online applications preferred http://www.prbo.org/interns/ or email/mail a letter of interest describing previous experience with field research, specific dates of availability and whether or not you have a vehicle, a resume, and contact information for three references (please also note if applying to other positions within PRBO) to RENEE CORMIER, (415-868-0655 ext. 316; rcormier at prbo dot org), PRBO, P.O. Box 1157, Bolinas, CA 94924. Applications are accepted year-round.
Click here to learn more about the Palomarin Field Station for interns.
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Marine Ecology Internships on Southeast Farallon Island
Internships are offered year round on Southeast Farallon Island, during one of the three research seasons: winter, spring/summer, and fall. Since 1968, PRBO Conservation Science has been studying the wildlife on the Farallon Islands. Located 27 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Southeast Farallon Islands are 96 acres of rocky terrain just a few miles from the edge of the continental shelf. The islands host the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States (over 300,000 seabirds of 13 species), are an important haul-out and breeding site for 5 species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), as well as a unique feeding location for white sharks. In addition, the islands host other unique populations (plants, salamanders, insects, etc.) as well as being a stopover site for hundreds of species of migrant and vagrant landbirds.
Duration: The minimum duration of internships is 8 weeks.
Description: The winter season (December – March) primarily involves research on breeding elephant seals, the spring / summer season (March – August) focuses on breeding seabird studies, and the fall season (August – December) focuses on migrant landbird research.
Qualifications: While each season requires different duties and levels of wildlife identification and monitoring experience, all interns are required to conduct rigorous fieldwork, often in poor weather. All interns will assist in maintenance of the field camp and data entry and proofing. For more information on Farallon Islands research see: www.prbo.org/farallones.
Compensation: All internships on Southeast Farallon Island are volunteer positions, though excellent food and housing are provided. Transportation to San Francisco is not provided.
To Apply: Interested applicants should contact appropriate Farallon Biologists at least 4 months prior to their respective research season of interest. For information on winter positions contact Ryan Berger, for spring/summer positions contact Russ Bradley, and for fall positions contact Jim Tietz.
