Deadlines/Internships Schedule:
Applications accepted year-round. Note start dates of the various positions.

PALOMARIN FIELD STATION RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS
Interns needed year-round 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 demographics of Wrentits, Song Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows. 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). 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. 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 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.

Click Here to learn more about the Palomarin Field Station for interns.

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 8 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 positions contact Ryan Berger, for spring/summer positions contact Russ Bradley, and for fall positions contact Jim Tietz.  

NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL MONITORING INTERNSHIP (1) 
Intern needed to assist in the Northern Spotted Owl monitoring project at PRBO Conservation Science on the California coast, in Marin County. Since 1997 we have been studying the densest breeding population of Northern Spotted Owls.

Duties/Description: Fieldwork includes locating owls at historic sites to determine pair status and nesting status, and nest monitoring to determine reproductive success.  Additionally, the intern will participate in inventory surveys at new locations and will also be responsible for data entry. The intern will become proficient in field protocols for monitoring Spotted Owls, orienteering, and owl identification. 

Qualifications: A strong interest in birds and conservation, self-motivation, a sense of humor, and the desire to spend long hours in the field and office are required.  Field schedule is variable.  Applicants must be willing to work and hike at night, although much of the field work is done during daylight hours. Applicants should be physically fit and able to hike long distances through steep and uneven terrain with some poison oak. Participants must be able to work independently as well as with a partner. A functioning pair of binoculars and sturdy hiking boots are required. Applicants will need a driver's license, personal vehicle, and current proof of insurance. Any use of personal vehicles for work will be reimbursed.

Position Duration: The intern is needed from March 26 to June 30.

Compensation: Local housing is provided. This is a voluntary training position that includes a stipend to offset living expenses while on the project ($1200 per month, gross).

To Apply: Submit  applications as soon as possible via email/mail including a letter of interest describing previous experience with field research, 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; rcormier@prbo.org). 

SEABIRD INTERN POSITIONS- CENTRAL / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
PRBO Conservation Science (founded as Point Reyes Bird Observatory in 1965), a non-profit ecological research organization based in Petaluma, California seeks intern for seabird monitoring projects in central and southern California.  PRBO has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and California's MPA Monitoring Enterprise to monitor seabird populations along the central and southern California coast.  Over the next 3-5 years, PRBO will collect baseline data on annual population size, breeding success, diet and foraging distribution and rates of human disturbance at serveral sites.  The data will be used to guide the adaptive management of the Seabird Protection Network and California's Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.

Hours: Full-time, seasonal, no benefits

Position Duration: 1 April through 31 July, 2012, with potential for annual reappointment.

Duties / Description: Interns will spend most of their time training in the field.  Interns will aid field technicians in collecting data on seabird population and breeding dynamics, diet and foraging habits, and roosting ecology.  Interns will also be trained on data entry and data quality control.

Qualifications / Requirements: Candidate must have or be within one year of completing a B.S. in biology or other related field and be able to work in a group setting and tough environmental conditions.  Candidates with an interest in marine biology or oceanography are encouraged to apply.

To apply: Email resume, cover letter, and 3-5 references with phone numbers to Dan Robinette at drobinette@prbo.org

LATINO OUTREACH ASSISTANT / BILINGUAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR

Application deadline: February 17, 2012

Position duration: March - mid-May 2012. Training to start in late February Stipend: $10- $12 an hour DOE. Housing NOT included
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (~ 30 hours per week); Expect to work some weekend and evenings
Location: Based out of Muir Woods National Monument & San Rafael, CA with outreach throughout the Bay Area

Position Description: Environment for the Americas seeks an intern to promote conservation in diverse communities through a collaborative project with The National Park Service, WildCare, and PRBO Conservation Science. The intern will work to improve awareness of nature programs by conducting outreach to Latino communities through various methods including print ads, social media, public events, posting flyers, and giving community presentations and participating in community events. A special focus of the internship will involve event planning and marketing of the annual International Migratory Bird Day Festival held at Muir Woods National Monument to increase Latino participation.

Position Requirements: We seek an outgoing person with an enthusiasm for working with the public, who is resourceful and selfdirected, but also enjoys working as a part of a team. Must have excellent intercultural and bilingual (Spanish/English) communication skills. Advanced knowledge of birds and bird conservation not needed, but a willingness to learn is required and an enthusiasm for nature and children encouraged! You will receive all necessary professional training and will gain real life job experience working alongside our environmental education staff and other wildlife conservation professionals. This is a great opportunity for career shadowing and hands-on experience in the fields of wildlife biology, environmental education, interpretation, and community outreach. Letters of recommendation will be provided upon successful completion of the internship. May be able to receive college credit.

This internship requires the use of a personal vehicle, current proof of insurance, and driver's license. Gas mileage will be reimbursed.

Click for a pdf of the internship announcement including a list of duties and qualifications.

To Apply: Please send a resume (1 page max), a cover letter describing your interest (1 page max), and 3 references to PRBO Conservation Science, Missy Wipf at mwipf@prbo.org. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until February 17, 2012.

Visit http://www.birdday.org/connectingcultures/connecting-cultures-study to find out more on this project.