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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd. 906/586-9851 voice
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Volunteers, Internships, & Employment
Applications sought for a M.S. Graduate Assistantship at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Study involves multi-species use of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands managed for Endangered Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendorica kirtlandii), with an emphasis on assessing the value of habitat provided by snags and coarse woody debris. The successful applicant should have experience working with landbirds (including sight and sound identification skills in the field) and/or small mammal trapping, as well as GPS, GIS, and habitat models. Applicant(s) must possess and have demonstrated the ability to work independently and on a team. Successful applicant(s) will gain experience by working directly with United States Fish and Wildlife Service personnel from Seney National Wildlife Refuge, and possibly professionals from other agencies. Click here for details
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 as education trunks, self guided pamphlets, news articles, 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 & assist visitors.
Responsible for light maintenance of visitor center and grounds.
Work with biology staff and interns on wildlife surveys.
Knowledge and Abilities
Energetic & responsible
Ability to work independently, in small groups & with a variety of personalities
Public speaking & group management skills
Prior experience in leading programs & working w/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 related field, 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:
1. A detailed resume describing your educational experiences and skills or an OF-612 Application for Federal Employment
2.Three (3) references - including affiliations, addresses, phone numbers & email addresses3. 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 49885phone interviews conducted in February and March until positions are filled
For further information, call 906-586-9851, ext. 16 or email: jennifer_mcdonough@fws.gov
Applied Conservation Biology Internship
For details and information on 2008 internships click here or contact:
Refuge Forester Greg Corace
(906) 586-9851 ext 14
greg_corace@fws.gov
Seney 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 2008. 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, Trumpeter Swan nesting and feeding ecology, and other projects that are being developed); 3) Assist with habitat management goals and objectives (monitoring of wetlands, wetland restoration, prescribed fire management on wetlands); 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 able to deal with mosquitoes and black flies during the summer.
Interns receive a food allowance 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, 2008:
1. a 1-page cover letter describing personal background and interests;
2. a detailed resume describing education, experiences, and skills;
3. unofficial copies of all college transcripts;
All information should be sent to: Dave Olson. Wildlife Biologist. Seney National Wildlife Refuge. 1674 Refuge Entrance Road. Seney, MI 49883 dave_olson@fws.gov
Incomplete (or late) applications may not receive full consideration. Final candidate selection will be made by March 6, 2008. 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 2008 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 2008
Help us connect people with wildlife! General orientation will be in Wed May 8 2008. If you are interested in volunteering at the refuge you can register for the 2007, orientation, call anytime during the year (906-586-9851, ext. 16), or email us.
Volunteer of the Year - 2007
Claudia Slater
Claudia Slater has been chosen as the 2007 Seney National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) Volunteer of the Year. Since 2002 she has volunteered more than 1,730 hours of her time in helping numerous events and people. "I was surprised, but also pleased and humbled to receive this honor," said Slater. "I was unaware of how many hours I had accomplished because I enjoy it so much." Slater, originally from Chicago, has been visiting Seney on a yearly basis since 1969. In 2001 she moved to Curtis with her late husband, Weldon, and a year later they signed up to volunteer at SNWR. "It wasn’t a very hard decision for us. We wanted to volunteer at Seney because we both really enjoyed wildlife and loved the outdoors," said Slater. In 2002, Slater became the manager of the Seney Visitor Center Bookstore, a task hardly deemed "easy." As bookstore manager for the Seney Natural History Association, Slater receives a small monetary stipend, a minimal amount for all of the time and efforts she puts into her job.
Slater spends hours continually discovering and researching new books that cover topics pertinent to the Refuge, while still providing Seney visitors with great deals on bookstore items. Her useful skills in trouble-shooting and problem-solving were consistently put to the test this summer as a cash register operator and trainer. Besides being the bookstore manager, Slater has helped with special events, including providing programs at Seney Scout Day. She also adds color to the office with her lively and bright attire. "I don’t feel that I do more than most other volunteers," said Slater. "It’s so easy to come here and volunteer my time. It’s really an honor," she added.
