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. Please see descriptions of each internship below.
Terrestrial Ecology Division Internships
Deadlines/Internships Schedule:
Applications accepted year-round. Note start dates of the various positions.
PALOMARIN FIELD STATION RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS Now accepting applications for spring/summer 2009 (updated 5 December 2008)
Interns needed at PRBO's Palomarin Field Station on the Marin County coast, north of San Francisco. We have been studying songbirds at the Palomarin Field Station since 1965, with special focus on the breeding ecology of Wrentits, Song Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows. Fieldwork includes some combination of mist-netting, banding nestlings, nest searching, habitat assessment, territory mapping, and conducting point counts surveys in coastal scrub and riparian habitats. 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). 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. 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. Assistants are needed from early/mid March through July. On-site housing is provided. This is a voluntary training position that includes a stipend to offset living expenses while on the project ($700 per month, gross). Online applications preferred http://www.prbo.org/interns/ or email/mail/fax 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 note if applying to other positions within PRBO) to RENEE CORMIER, PRBO, P.O. Box 1157, Bolinas, CA 94924 (415-868-0655 ext. 316; fax 415-868-9363; rcormier at prbo dot org).
Palomarin Specifics
The Breeding Ecology Project at PALOMARIN
This is a long-term study of the individual fitness and lifetime reproductive success of four coexisting non-migratory landbird species (Scrub Jay, Wrentit, Song Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow) on a 36-ha (89-acre) coastal scrub study plot. The methodology of this research is long-term, detailed behavioral monitoring of color-banded individuals. The major objective is to determine the patterns of variation in lifetime reproductive success and survival among individuals within the local populations and between the four species occupying the same environment.
Four full-time interns (one per 9 ha grid) are needed to census grids during the breeding season (mid-March to end of July). The responsibilities include: determining individual identities and territorial boundaries of all nesting pairs through spot-mapping; locating and monitoring all nest attempts; assessing individual variation in behavior; and color-banding nestlings and unbanded individuals. In addition, all other breeding species are spot mapped in order to study long-term changes in the local avian community.
Data collected from this fieldwork is processed daily in order for the researcher to develop a dynamic understanding of each individual bird. Processing will be in the
form of handwritten mapping and computer data entry. Each intern will prepare final write-ups summarizing the status of all color-marked individual birds on his/her
grid. The work is both intellectually and physically demanding. Some exposure to poison oak is unavoidable. Early morning and long hours are required in the field and on analysis of the field data. The project provides a unique opportunity to come to know intimately some 60 individual birds.
Visit Palomarin -Long Term Demographic Monitoring of Landbirds for more information about this project.
The Biomonitoring Program at PALOMARIN
This study uses long-term standardized mist-netting and banding effort to gather and analyze data on the productivity, migration, and survivorship of landbirds; and to relate these data to environmental changes, particularly weather factors. The basic methodology of this study is the daily (May through November) or three times weekly (December through April) operation of an array of 20 mist-nests; each run for six hours per day beginning 15 minutes after local sunrise.
The nets are located along the upper edge of the Arroyo Honda, a riparian canyon clothed in evergreen oaks, bays, and Douglas firs. Over 200 species of landbirds have been seen or captured in the immediate environs of the Field Station. This project provides an index of the productivity and annual survival of locally breeding birds and an important database to compare with other banding stations and migrant landbird censuses on the Southeast Farallon Island (30 km offshore) as well as other MAPS stations from across the country. It also provides a means whereby the public can observe one of PRBO's research programs. Over 35 classes per year (ranging from elementary school to college and adult groups) and about 10 visitors per day come to the Palomarin Field Station to observe this program in operation.
Internships in this program are available throughout the year with spring and summer (mid-March - July) being the most active seasons. Interns accepted in the program will assist with the operation of the project, including interpretation, running of classes, and entering of banding data into the computer.
Visit Palomarin -Long Term Demographic Monitoring of Landbirds for more information about this project.
EASTERN SIERRA FIELD RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS - Not currently accepting applications
SONORAN DESERT INTERNSHIPS
MOJAVE DESERT SEASONAL STAFF POSITIONS WITH PRBO. PRBO Conservation Science seeks 3 seasonal staff biologists to participate in long-term, all-species breeding bird research at the Amargosa Canyon, near Death Valley, California. Primary field duties will include spot-mapping, nest-searching and monitoring, vegetation assessments, and managing Brown-headed Cowbird traps. Applicants should have prior nest-searching experience, and be willing to work long hours in demanding habitats. Prior survey experience with Willow Flycatchers and/or Bell’s Vireos is a plus. The Amargosa Canyon is a California Audubon Important Bird Area, and hosts a wide variety of breeders and migrants to ogle and master. The positions’ durations are 1 Apr - 1 Aug 2008, and earn $1800-$2100/month. Housing is provided. To apply, e-mail a one-page maximum cover letter briefly detailing your past experiences and future goals, as well as a resume to CHRIS McCREEDY: cmccreedy at prbo dot org.
SONORAN DESERT SEASONAL STAFF AND INTERNSHIP POSITIONS WITH PRBO. PRBO Conservation Science is seeking 3-5 motivated xerophiles to assist with all-species breeding and migratory landbird surveys throughout Sonoran Desert Thorn Woodland habitats of the Lower Colorado River Valley. This is a long-term study of a California Audubon Important Bird Area, with a challenging array of Sonoran Desert residents and western Neotropical migrants to master. Primary field duties will include point counting, nest-searching and monitoring, and vegetation assessments. Prior bird surveying experience a plus, and applicants must be willing to work long hours/camp in the field. 4WD or AWD vehicle also a plus (lots of sandy washes to survey). Housing is provided. Point counting positions begin 1 Mar 2008, extend through 15 May 2008, and earn $1200/month. Nest searching positions begin 1 Feb 2008, extend through 31 May 2008, and earn $800-$1600/month, depending on experience. To apply, e-mail a one-page maximum cover letter briefly detailing your past experiences and future goals to CHRIS McCREEDY: cmccreedy at prbo dot org.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PROJECT INTERNSHIPS
FIELD ASSISTANT (1-2) needed for PRBO’s Clear Creek Songbird Monitoring Project and Northeastern Avian Monitoring on Private Lands project. Primary duties include nest-searching, spot-mapping, point counting, wetland surveys, vegetation assessments, and data entry. Project dates are ~12 April – 31 July 2010 (with possible extension through August). The Clear Creek project is located along the eastern flank of the coast range in northern California, just outside of Redding, CA. Our research focuses on assessing the affects of riparian restoration on the bird community to help guide future restoration actions. The Private Lands project involves assessing the value of bird habitat on privately owned easements in the mountains NE California including Siskyou, Modoc, Shasta, and Lassen counties. The position will be based out of Redding, CA, but camping will be involved while working on the private lands project. Candidates with a strong background in bird identification by sight and sound and/or previous experience point counting and nest searching are strongly preferred. The most important qualifications are self-motivation (as most of the work will be unsupervised), good physical condition, tolerance for extreme heat, and willingness to spend long hours in the field observing birds. Compensation will include $1800 - $2200/mo (depending upon experience) as well as housing. You may be required to drive your personal vehicle and will be compensated at or near the current federal rate. Email a letter of interest (include dates of availability and if you have a vehicle), resume, and contact information for three references to ALICIA YOUNG (ayoung AT prbo.org). Please note if applying to other positions within PRBO.
CENTRAL VALLEY FIELD RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS
Field technicians (4-6) are needed by PRBO Conservation Science (prbo.org) for a survey of Yellow-billed Cuckoos in riparian habitat along the Sacramento River, CA (generally between Red Bluff and Colusa). The western Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a state endangered species that historically bred in riparian forests throughout the state. The goal of this project is to survey one of the remaining areas hosting nesting cuckoos to determine their population status. Duties will include conducting call-playback surveys, vegetation assessments, data entry, and some nest searching. The positions require working in some challenging conditions such as early, long hours, hot weather, and dense vegetation. Positions begin around the first week of June 2010 and end in mid to late August 2010. Applicants with a vehicle are preferred, as we will be driving to different sites each day (mileage reimbursed). Positions require experience with bird identification. It is also helpful if you have avian or wildlife surveying experience. Among the most important qualifications are self-motivation and the ability to spend long hours in the field observing birds. Through the position you will learn the call-playback survey technique, observation and data keeping skills, and gain an interesting perspective on this secretive species. Housing and a $1200-1800/mo stipend provided (gross) depending on Cuckoo experience/training. We will likely be based out of Chico, CA and possibly camping some nights. Online applications preferred http://www.prbo.org/interns/ (select Central Valley as your first choice) or email/mail a letter of interest describing previous experience with field research, specific dates of availability, whether or not you have a vehicle, a resume, and contact information for three references (Please note if applying to other positions within PRBO) to MARK DETTLING, PRBO Conservation Science, PO Box 1157 Bolinas, CA 94924 (phone 734-812-8441, mdettling@prbo.org).
WETLAND ECOLOGY DIVISION INTERNSHIPS
None available at this time.
MARINE ECOLOGY DIVISION INTERNSHIPS
SOUTHEAST FARALLON ISLAND
Internships are offered year round on Southeast Farallon Island, during one of the three research seasons. 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. All internships on Southeast Farallon Island are volunteer positions, though excellent food and housing are provided. Transportation to San Francisco is not provided. The minimum duration of internships is 6 weeks. While each season requires different duties, 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: /cms/157
Interested applicants should contact appropriate Farallon Biologists at least 4 months prior to their respective research season of interest. For information on winter internships contact Derek Lee (dlee at prbo dot org), for spring/summer positions contact Russ Bradley (rbradley at prbo dot org), and for fall positions contact Jim Tietz (jtietz at prbo dot org).
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM INTERNSHIPS
Education and Outreach Intern
When: August – November (some flexiblity in start and end date)
Stipend: $700/mo (gross) to offset living expenses while on the project plus housing at the Palomarin Field Station will be provided.
PRBO’s Conservation Education Program brings meaningful, hands-on science experiences to hundreds of teachers and thousands of students in the classroom and at PRBO project sites each year, inspiring passion for conservation science and responsible environmental stewardship.
Internship Description: The Education and Outreach Intern will assist the Education Staff with aspects of the program including, but not limited to, interpreting bird monitoring techniques, habitat and bird conservation and general bird ecology to organized groups and visitors of all ages at field sites, classrooms, school restorations, and after-school programs, assisting with monthly bird walks, attending local festivals and events, overseeing the Visitor Center at Palomarin, and developing written materials as needed. An interest in education and interpretation, familiarity with birds, effective communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, ability to perform work in the outdoors under variable weather conditions on uneven terrain, and the use of a personal vehicle are essential, along with the ability to live cooperatively with fellow interns. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in environmental education, the ability to identify western birds, possession of a vehicle and Spanish language skills.
To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter explaining interests (1 page max.), specific dates of availability, and contact information of 3 references by July 31st to MISSY WIPF at mwipf at prbo dot org, or PRBO Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Dr. #11, Petaluma, CA 94954.
Palomarin Field Station
The Palomarin Field Station is PRBO’s “window to the world”. It is the only site PRBO has that is open to the public on a regular basis. It receives approximately 10,000 visitors each year with school group field trips almost daily in the spring and fall. It is the headquarters for PRBO’s Terrestrial Program, and houses the PRBO Visitor Center. Staff members work in the offices, and interns are housed in a separate bunkhouse on-site.
The living quarters consist of two bunkrooms with five beds each, one large communal kitchen, two bathrooms, and a laundry room. Interns must all be willing to live communally in a fairly public location. Interns share in chores and often cook dinners communally.
Palomarin is located in Bolinas CA, just north of SF, in Marin County. Bolinas is a small coastal town with two grocery stores and a few local merchants. There is beach access and plenty of fabulous opportunities for hikers, campers, and kayakers.
