Internship - PR

The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a summer intern interested in coral reef conservation.

7th Annual Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia Memorial Coral Reef Conservation Summer Internship Announcement: Caribbean Area

Opening Date: January 18, 2012

Closing Date: February 29, 2012

Internship winner notified: March 30, 2012

Internship period: June to August 2012

APPLY BY MAIL or EMAIL TO:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Southeast Region

1875 Century Blvd, Suite 200

Atlanta, GA 30345

Attn: Nikki Lamp, Ph.D. Ph: 404-679-7118

Email: nikki_lamp@fws.gov

The United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF); Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Office of Insular Affairs; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are pleased to announce the 7th Annual Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia Memorial Coral Reef Conservation Summer Internship for the Caribbean Area.

This internship is in recognition of the late Governor’s outstanding leadership and contribution to the conservation of U.S. coral reef ecosystems. The late Governor Sunia is most remembered for being an eloquent and impassioned advocate for coral reef protection and management at the local level, not only in American Samoa, but throughout the U.S. and the Pacific region.

This summer internship continues the Governor’s legacy by providing an outstanding college or university student a unique opportunity to gain valuable, professionally formative experience in coral reef conservation policy and management, while also contributing to the overall efforts of the hosting agency (FWS) and the USCRTF.

It provides an 8-10 week summer internship for an eligible student (see eligibility information below) interested in natural resource management and coral reef ecosystems to work at the Caribbean National Wildlife Refuge and contribute to the Guanica Bay / Rio Loco Watershed Partnership. The internship covers salary and transportation costs. The program is designed to provide the selected student with career-enhancing experience through work on coral reef conservation and management initiatives. The student will be involved with productive, hands-on job assignments in watershed management and natural resources conservation and enhancement as they relate to coral reef ecosystems and initiatives in the Caribbean area.

The selected student will be paid by the FWS and must be willing to work on a full-time schedule during the summer break.

Location:
The selected student will work in the FWS Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, located in Cabo Rojo, PR.

FWS Program-Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

What STEP provides:

STEP allows temporary appointment of students for 8-10 weeks. Positions can be filled in the areas of natural resource and watershed management with emphasis on coral reefs, marine policy, science, biology, and soil conservation.

Who is Eligible?

• A student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student in an accredited technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate or professional school.
• Is at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.
• Taking at least a half-time course load as determined by the academic institution.

Pay and Qualification Requirements:

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: (rate includes 14.16% locality pay)

• GS-3 - $11.95 per hour - completion of one year of study
• GS-4 - $13.41 per hour - completion of two years of study
• GS-5 - $15.00 per hour - completion of four years of study

Transportation expenses for students recruited outside of the area of employment and housing (at the Caribbean Islands NWR Complex) will be available.

Application Material

All applicants wishing to be considered for the Sunia internship should submit the following material:

• Unofficial copies of all college and/or university transcripts.
• A resume with relevant experience and activities.
• One letter of recommendation from a professor or relevant employer.
• A 750 word essay (maximum) on the importance of managing coral reefs in your island jurisdiction and nationally; and how this internship will benefit your career goals related to coral reef management.

Application material may be sent by mail or email and must be received no later than February 29, 2012, 5:00 PM eastern time.

 

Paige Rothenberger

Coral Reef Initiative Coordinator

VI Dept. of Planning & Natural Resources Division of Coastal Zone Management

(340) 718-3367 voice

(340) 718-4551 fax

paige.rothenberger@dpnr.gov.vi

prothenberger.viczm@yahoo.com