AFSC Internships: 2008
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Project Description: |
This is an experiential internship. The intern will spend 8 weeks in the field collecting life history data on California sea lions at San Miguel Island, California. Two weeks will be spent in the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle at the end of the internship to summarize data and prepare a report on the survival and reproductive rates of California sea lions in 2008.
At the end of the internship, the intern will have a field report summarizing the methods, results and discussion of the life history data collected on California sea lions in 2008 that will provide the foundation for the annual field report. The intern will also prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation of the experience for the AFSC internship seminar and prepare a one page summary of the experience to be posted on the AFSC Web site.
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Field Work Description: |
Eights weeks of field work will be conducted at a remote field station at San Miguel Island, California. The intern will be part of a 3 person team that will collect data on marked California sea lions. The intern will work 8 hours a day hiking to different areas of the island and observing animals using binoculars and spotting scopes. The intern will enter all data into field computers and edit check their data. The work takes place regardless of weather conditions, which are often inclement.
The field station is primitive and lacks amenities of civilization. There is no email or internet access and limited cell phone and postal mail access. The intern will participate in station maintenance activities including cleaning, preparing meals, and maintaining equipment.
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Qualifications Required: |
The intern must be able to work independently after training but also must work as part of a team. They must be able to use binoculars and spotting scopes efficiently and have good observation skills including patience and attention to details. Experience with EXCEL and ACCESS is beneficial. Due to the remoteness and type of work, the intern must be physically fit with no health issues that would compromise their ability to perform the activities outlined in the description. The intern must be able to carry a 20 lb. backpack while hiking over uneven terrain and to hike 4-6 miles per day in inclement weather.
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Benefits to Student: |
This internship provides an opportunity to experience field research of pinnipeds. The intern will be exposed to scientific methods of behavioral observation and censusing for sea lions and techniques for summarizing scientific data. These techniques are used widely for mammalian research and will provide a good foundation for the intern beyond their internship experience. In addition, the intern will work closely with experienced researchers as part of a team and will contribute to a long-term effort to better understand the biology of California sea lions.
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For more information about this position, contact:
Sharon Melin
NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center
National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML)
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bldg 4
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 526-4028
Sharon.Melin@noaa.gov |
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To apply for this internship, send complete application to:
Rebecca Reuter, Outreach Coordinator
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115-6349
(206) 526-4249
rebecca.reuter@noaa,gov |
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