Internships and Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Internships (Not a Pathways Internship):

VISITOR SERVICES DIVISION

Volunteer Interns with the Visitor Services division have the unique opportunity of experiencing one of the most-visited refuges in the entire National Wildlife Refuge System. Interns are an essential part of operations at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. They staff the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center, assist with habitat management, present interpretive walks and talks, and perform a variety of other essential duties.  Training, housing, and uniforms will be provided - you supply the time and interest!
Park Ranger – Interpretation/Environmental Education Volunteer Internship

Summer Internship Application Period:  CLOSED
(Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled)
Volunteer Internship Duration:  12 weeks possibility of extension.
Positions Available: 4

Work Description:

Visitor Services Volunteer Interns staff the visitor center in addition to developing and conducting orientation talks, interpretive walks and demonstrations to a variety of general public audiences and school groups. Interns will also initiate or assist with the development or revision of interpretive materials such as brochures, handouts, and exhibits. Knowledge of public outreach and communications tools and techniques (utilizing the internet, audiovisual, and other media) to appeal to a diverse audience is a plus.  Volunteer Interns will also work with the refuge education staff to prepare and conduct on- and off-site environmental education programs for a variety of audiences. In addition, the intern will assist with the management of wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and/or interpretation.

Requirements:  

Applicant must be currently enrolled or graduating from an accredited university. All majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have experience speaking in front of groups (including children and school groups), knowledge of animal and plant identification (especially birds), and have the ability to communicate well with visitors and staff both orally and in writing. The job requires office and outdoor work. The work involves frequent on-site field work requiring some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, and uneven terrain; bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, lifting or similar activities. Outdoor work may involve extreme temperatures and exposure to biting insects.

Benefits:

Bunkhouse style co-ed lodging located on Assateague Island; every seasonal may have one or more assigned roommates of the same gender. Stipend of $308/ paid bi-weekly.

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please send a cover letter indicating to which internship program you are applying, a resume, and reference contact information through the mail to:

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Attn:  John Fitzroy
P.O. Box 62
Chincoteague, VA 23336

WILDLIFE BIOLOGY DIVISION

Wildlife Biology Volunteer Internships
Summer Volunteer Internship Application Period:  CLOSED

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge’s Shorebird Management Volunteer Internship is a field experience unlike any other! There are three unique barrier islands for which volunteer interns can submit their application materials; Assateague, Assawoman, and Cedar Islands.

You must indicate in your cover letter one or more of the islands for which you are applying.

Requirements:

• Must be a recent graduate or a current student with a minimum of junior status in Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, or a related field;
• Strong interest in ornithology and experience using optical equipment;
• Written and oral communication skills;
• Desire to work with people and ability to work independently;
• Must have good observational skills;
• Time management and problem solving skills;
• Valid driver's license;  
• Ability to walk in difficult terrain for long distances, carry equipment, and tolerate biting insects;
• Schedule flexibility including weekends and some evening shifts;
• Following a period of orientation and training with a field supervisor, interns are expected to work independently on daily tasks.

Primary responsibilities: (85% of the incumbent’s duties)

• Monitor breeding populations of federally threatened piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and colonial beach nesting birds.
• Conduct nest searches, record behavioral observations, chick monitoring, and predator monitoring.
• Capture and band American oystercatcher chicks.

Additional opportunities: (15% of the incumbent’s duties)

• Invasive species management,
• Marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response,
• Sea turtle nest management,
• Working on a boat to access field sites,
• Participate in public interpretation,
• Endangered sea beach amaranth plant surveys,
• Data entry and waterfowl surveys.

Benefits:

• Bunkhouse style co-ed lodging located on Assateague Island; every seasonal may have one or more assigned roommate of the same gender.
• Stipend of $308/ paid bi-weekly.

See below for detailed differences between islands.

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND:     1 Volunteer Intern for 18 weeks; April 15, 2013 – Aug 16, 2013 
                                         2 Volunteer Interns for 12 weeks; May 20, 2013– Aug 09, 2013

• Applicants must have background in GPS/GIS.
• Should be comfortable operating a 4x4 vehicle, be willing to drive over sand and may participate in ATV operation training.
• Strong communication skills are a must, as Assateague Island is a tourist destination.
• Must be physically capable of hauling and constructing predator exclosures around nest quickly.

ASSAWOMAN ISLAND:  2 Volunteer Interns for 18 weeks; April 15, 2013 – Aug 16, 2013

• The applicant should be comfortable operating a 4x4 vehicle, be willing to drive over sand and may participate in ATV operation training.
• Includes Metompkin Island and a Chincoteague Bay American oystercatcher breeding survey route only accessible by boat without onsite facilities.
• Must be comfortable around water, working on a boat, and working for several hours at a time in remote locations.
• Preferably, the incumbent will have experience navigating coastal waterways.
• Intern will be required to apply for and pass a NASA Security Clearance upon hiring in order to gain access to work site.

CEDAR ISLAND: 3 Volunteer Interns for 18 weeks; April 15, 2013 – Aug 16, 2013

• Cedar Island is a remote island which requires daily travel of 40 minutes by car and 15-30 minutes by boat.
• The applicant must be comfortable around water, working on a boat, working for several hours at a time in a remote location.
• Must be capable or walking for up to 7 miles per day carrying necessary field equipment up to 25lbs.
• Preferably, the incumbent will have experience navigating coastal waterways.
• Daily access to this field site is highly dependent upon weather and tide; therefore, the daily and weekly work schedule will fluctuate.

TO APPLY Send cover letter, resume, transcripts and contact information for 3 references to:

Emarie Ayala-Diaz; Wildlife Biologist
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 62
Chincoteague, VA 23336

Volunteer Opportunities:

If you have an interest in wildlife conservation, enjoy working outdoors or with people, or simply want to give back, consider joining the Refuge's volunteer staff. 

	Volunteers are an essential part of operations at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, staffing the Visitor Center and Lighthouse, conducting wildlife surveys and assisting with biological studies, presenting interpretive walks and talks, constructing and maintaining refuge facilities and trails, improving habitat, and more!
credit: USFWS
Bring your skills, talents, and energy; we’ll supply the rest, including training and uniforms Take the first step towards joining our volunteer community: click here for an application to begin the process.
	credit: USFWS
For more information, contact: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Attn: Volunteer Coordinator P.O. Box 62 Chincoteague, VA 23336 (757) 336-6122 Interested in volunteering at a refuge near you?  Please visit http://www.fws.gov/vol