Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
  

Internships

All internships pay $150.00 per week and housing is provided.  Internships are a twelve-week commitment, however, the refuge can be flexible when deemed necessary. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to:  

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Attention: Volunteer Coordinator

P.O. Box 62

Chincoteague, VA  23336 

Please specify which internship your interested in.

Interpretive Internships

Spring, summer, and fall interpretive interns staff the Refuge Visitor Center and develop and conduct interpretive programs as well as other informational material. These duties provide interns with the opportunity to reach diverse groups of people with a knowledge and appreciation of the environment and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Applicants should have a background in biology, wildlife management, recreation education, interpretation, or a related field. Applicants must have experience speaking in front of groups, knowledge of animal and plant identification (especially birds), and have the ability to communicate well in writing.

Environmental Education Internships

Interns work directly with the refuge's education staff.  Interns prepare and present curriculum-based environmental education (EE) programs for school and youth groups, develop teaching aids, and assist with teacher workshops.

Applicants should have a background in biology, wildlife management, education, recreation, or a related field and experience working with young people in an outdoor setting.  Good oral and written communication skill are required.  Applicants must be comfortable speaking in front of groups.

Field Research Assistant/Wildlife Management Internships

The refuge offers field research assistant internships during the summer.. Interns are involved in an array of biological activities including collecting data and monitoring a population of the threatened piping plover.  Duties include the following: weekly population surveys; nest searches; behavioral observations; nest monitoring; ghost crab and predator monitoring; vegetation transects; waterfowl surveys; and data collection at deer check station. There will be instances where the intern will have the opportunity to participate in other ongoing refuge management programs and studies.

Applicants should be a recent graduate or student (Junior status) in wildlife biology, ecology, environmental biology, general biology, natural resource management, or related field. Communication skills, writing skills, desire to work with people, good observational and recording skills, and a valid driver's license are required.  Experience working with shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds or a background in ornithology/general biology and knowledge of computers are desirable.

Other opportunities not listed above may be available throughout the year. Contact the refuge Volunteer Coordinator at (757)336-6122 for more information.

Photos by: Irene Hinki Sacilotto (IHS), Michael Colopy (MC),
 Robert Wilson (REW), and USFWS.

Website designed and donated by Kathryn Schroer