The Yellowstone Raptor Initiative seeks interns to assist raptor biologists in Yellowstone National Park.
Raptor Field Intern position: 2012 field season
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Raptor Initiative
The Yellowstone Raptor Initiative (YRI) will host two intern positions during the 2012 May-August field season; start and end dates negotiable.
Interns will assist YRI raptor biologist with tasks including (at least) locating raptor nesting territories, determining nesting chronologies and fledging success.
Field work in Yellowstone National Park is amazing, but occurs in mountainous terrain at +2000 m elevations in habitat where grizzly bear, mountain lions, wolves, bison and elk are not uncommon. Interns will be
provided a daily living stipend, and a bed in dormitory style housing.
The preferred candidate should understand the following situational requirements:
- Interns will be expected to hike at least 1-16 km/day with 8 - 22 kg backpacks for up to five days per week over remote, non-trailed habitat. There will be considerable scrambling over rocks, downed trees, and crossing of creeks and streams. Interns will also face long periods of sitting at exposed (wind, sun, precipitation) observation points that may have biting insects.
- Weather conditions will range from pleasant, to snowy, windy, and potentially drenching afternoon thunderstorms. Temperature extremes from - 0° to +30° C are not uncommon.
- Intern should be comfortable in habitat with potentially dangerous wildlife, and should be able to remain calm in hazardous situations.
- Intern should have 20/20 vision (corrected or natural) and good to superb hearing.
- Intern should have prior outdoor experience, including skills related to backcountry camping, backcountry navigation (without GPS), basic wilderness survival, and basic first aid/CPR.
- Intern should have own basic field gear (i.e. medium sized backpack, field shoes/boots, raingear, cold weather gear, water bottles, etc. (we will provide a recommended equipment list to the selected interns).
- We would prefer an intern who already has some raptor field experience. We will select an intern who is known to be friendly, kind, cheerful, mature, energetic, self-motivated, appropriate sense of humor, adaptable to varying circumstances, and willing to work long hours under sometimes difficult circumstances. Additionally, the selected interns should have an innate desire to learn from professionals about raptor ecology, as well as immerse themselves in the rich natural and cultural history of Yellowstone National Park.
- Interns must be able to communicate politely to National Park visitors, staff, and other YRI cooperators at all times.
- Intern should be able to speak and write in English.
- Intern should have the maturity to cope with group living situations (i.e. dormitory housing, multiple people per room, varied personalities, and levels of cleanliness).
- Interns must be at least 18 years old by start of internship. If under 21, no alcohol use. Failure to comply will necessitate immediate termination of internship. Drug and/or alcohol abuse will necessitate immediate termination of internship.
- Valid state or international driver’s license preferred.
- We will work with University or College professors if intern wishes to acquire academic credit.
Please send, no later than 30 March 2012; a) CV or Resume, b) names and current contact information of three suitable references, and c) a short letter outlining your interest and qualifications to:
Dr. Douglas Smith, Yellowstone Raptor Initiative, Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth, WY 82190; or Doug_Smith@nps.gov
