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Volunteers, Internships, & Employment
The Refuge offers internships in Biology, Applied Conservation Biology and Interpretation & Education. Please look at our job descriptions for these positions below.
Seney Refuge also relies on a core of over 40 volunteers to staff the information desk, assist with biological surveys and help with maintenance projects.
Click here for employment information.
Visitor Services Internships (12 & 24 week opportunities)
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Develop & present programs for refuge visitors & school groups, including nature walks,auto tours, and environmental education programs.
Work on special interpretive projects such aseducation trunks, selfguided pamphlets, newsarticles,exhibits, website, etc.
Assist with natural history bookstore operations.
Plan, organize, & conduct a special event (e.g. Children's Fishing Day).
Staff the Visitor Center information desk & assistvisitors.
Responsible for light maintenance of visitorcenter and grounds.
- Work with biology staff and interns on wildlife surveys.
Knowledge and Abilities
Energetic & responsible
Ability to work independently, in small groups & witha variety of personalities
Public speaking & group management skills
Prior experience in leading programs & working with public desired
Good writing skills
Knowledge in natural history, biology, bird identification etc. helpful
Valid Drivers license required, chauffeurs license helpful
Prefer applicants pursuing degree in parks & recreation, environmental education, interpretation, or relatedfield, but will accept applicants with other backgrounds.
Benefits & Logistics
$150/week food allowance ($200 per week for 24 week interns during second 12 weeks)
Housing & laundry facilities provided
Uniform shirts provided
40 hr. work week, including some weekends and evenings
Work periods:
12 week Internship periods are:
May - July, June - Aug,
or Aug -October (dates are negotiable)
24 week Internship period is:
May - October.How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following items, via email or regular mail, by February 20, 2009:
1. A detailed resume describing your educational experiences and skills
2.Three (3) references - including affiliations, addresses, phone numbers & email addresses
3. A copy of your college transcripts
4. Time period you are available for the internship
Send to:Visitor Services Manager/Jennifer McDonough
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
1674 Refuge Entrance Rd.
Seney, MI 49885
jennifer_mcdonough@fws.govFor further information, call 906-586-9851, ext. 16 or email: jennifer_mcdonough@fws.gov
Applied Conservation Biology Internship
For details and information on 2009 internships click here or contact:
Refuge Forester Greg Corace
(906) 586-9851 ext 14
greg_corace@fws.gov
2009 Wildlife Biology Internship
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Seney, MichiganSeney National Wildlife Refuge (Seney NWR) is one of the largest refuges east of the Mississippi River at 96,000 acres and has a wide variety of habitats and ecosystem types present. It was established in 1935 for the protection and production of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. The refuge also administers island refuges in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron as well as the Kirtland’s Warbler Wildlife Management Area and Whitefish Point NWR.
Seney NWR will be offering one (1) Wildlife Biology Internship for up to 12 weeks for 2009. The duties assigned to the successful applicant would include: 1) Assist with wildlife inventorying and monitoring (trumpeter swans, waterfowl, secretive marshbirds, breeding bird surveys, and colonial waterbirds); 2) Assist with on going research on the refuge (Yellow Rail ecology, Marshbird Ecology and Surveys; 3) Assist with habitat management goals and objectives (monitoring of wetlands, wetland restoration, prescribed fire management on wetlands and aquatic vegetation surveys); 4) Other duties as assigned.
Interested applicants should be physically fit, able to work independently or as part of a team, have excellent verbal and writing skills, and have a background in biology, botany, zoology, population ecology, wetland ecology, or a related field. Preference will be given to those applicants with a specific expertise in bird and plant identification or an interest waterfowl and wetland ecology. Experience with GIS/GPS preferred. Applicants must be to deal with mosquitoes and black flies during the summer.
Interns are compensated at a rate of $150.00/week for a 40-hour work week that may include working some weekends and evenings. The refuge will provide dorm-style housing, laundry facilities and a vehicle.
To apply, please submit the following via email or regular mail by February 24, 2009:
- a 1-page cover letter describing personal background and interests;
- a detailed resume describing education, experiences, and skills;
- unofficial copies of all college transcripts;
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation that must include the name, affiliation, address, telephone number, and email address of each person writing the letter.
All information should be sent to:
Dave Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
1674 Refuge Entrance Road
Seney, MI 49883
dave_olson@fws.govIncomplete (or late) applications may not receive full consideration. Final candidate selection will be made by March 6, 2009. For additional information, contact Dave Olson at 906-586-9851 ext 12 or via email.
For details and information regarding a Biological Technician position for summer 2009 click here
For information on other employment opportunities with Seney National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, see information on employment opportunities in Region 3.
Seney National Wildlife Refuge relies on the contributions of over 40 volunteers. Many volunteers staff the Visitor Center Information Desk and help visitors plan their day. They also staff activity booths during special events, lead school and nature programs, conduct wildlife surveys, assist with maintenance projects and a variety of other tasks. Volunteers make a big difference at Seney National Wildlife Refuge!
Seney's volunteer program works in cooperation with the local RSVP program. RSVP is the Retired Senior Volunteer Program that provides seniors sixty and over an opportunity to share a lifetime of experience through volunteer service in Delta, Menominee, Schoolcraft & Marinette counties.
Volunteers normally serve on a regular basis, such as one weekly four-hour shift at the visitor center and typically commute from the local area and nearby towns. A trailer pad with hook-ups may be possible for volunteers interested in working 20-40 hours weekly, interested RV applicants need to be relatively self-sufficient and able to take care of their own facility maintenance.
During the summer, monthly training opportunities or social gatherings are a chance for volunteers, interns and staff to get to know one another.
Click here for a volunteer application.
Volunteer Orientation May 2009
Help us connect people with wildlife! General orientation will be in Wed May 6 2009. If you are interested in volunteering at the refuge you can register for the 2009, orientation, call anytime during the year (906-586-9851, ext. 16), or email us.
Volunteer of the Year - 2008
Jim Wicks
Jim Wicks has spent nearly ten years sharing his time with our Refuge visitors. He is always enthusiastic and welcoming. Jim is a story teller and is great at interacting with visitors. He has worked a regular four hour desk shift since he began volunteering in 1999 and has gone beyond that contribution by not only helping with many special events but taking the initiative to create and prepare a number of special workshops. He has developed, conducted and provided supplies for youth fish carving and art workshops and has done the same (with the help of former volunteer Weldon Slater) for duck calling workshops. His art skills have been put to the test making many special event signs. The refuge appreciates his energy, ideas and many hours of donated time.
