Volunteer Opportunities

Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Summer 2008 Internship Opportunities

Location: Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex –  
stationed at Morton National Wildlife Refuge, Sag Harbor, NY

The Long Island NWR Complex, headquartered in Shirley, NY, encompasses nine units, totaling nearly 6,500 acres.  The primary purpose for each is to benefit wildlife.  These nine units protect many of the Island’s habitat types critical to migratory birds, endangered species and other wildlife.  Long Island’s strategic location—situated in the Long Island Pine Barrens and along the Atlantic Flyway—provides important nesting, wintering and migratory stop-over areas for hundreds of bird species. Each unit is unique in wildlife species, habitat and management programs. 

Morton NWR, a 187-acre peninsula, boasts exceptionally diverse habitats.  Sandy and rocky beaches fringe the peninsula, while wooded bluffs overlook the bays.  Morton consists of upland forest, ponds, saltmarshes, beach, a lagoon and grasslands.  These habitats provide for a variety of wildlife including close to 300 species of birds including least terns, osprey and the federally threatened piping plover.  Located on the east end of Long Island, the nearby village of Sag Harbor feels more like a New England fishing village than the Hamptons.     

Position Title:  Piping Plover/Tern Steward Intern

Duties:  This internship will afford individuals the opportunity to develop research skills and to study wildlife management techniques through actual field research.  Interns will help collect data and monitor populations of the threatened piping plover and least terns on Morton National Wildlife Refuge and Amagansett National Wildlife Refuges in western Suffolk County, New York.  Duties include: weekly population surveys, nest searches, behavioral observations, nest monitoring, and predator monitoring. There will be many instances where the student will have the opportunity to participate in other ongoing refuge management programs and studies as well as visitor services-related assignments.  Work shifts will be limited to 8 hours, but will be flexible, sometimes beginning at 6 am and sometimes ending at 8 pm. 

Position Dates: Start: Mid-May; Ending: Early August (Approximately 12 weeks).   

Qualifications: 

A.  Required Background: A recent graduate or student (Junior or Senior status preferred) in wildlife biology or ecology, environmental biology, general biology, natural resources management, or related field; communication skills, writing skills, desire to work with people; must have good observational skills, and valid driver's license.
B.  Desired Background: Experience working with shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds or a background in ornithology, or general biology; ability to record detailed observations in field notebook; knowledge of computers helpful.

Training: All training will be OJT, (on-the-job-training) with professional wildlife biologists and management staff.

Contact Person: Tom Penn, email: Tom_Penn@fws.gov

Position Title: Public Education Intern

Duties:  Public Education Interns will be responsible for operating the visitor contact station at the Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Sag Harbor, NY on Long Island.  In addition, the interns will develop and conduct educational and interpretive programs for the visiting public as well as other informational material. The interns will be responsible for conducting outreach to the local community to advertise the educational and recreational opportunities available at the refuge.  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.  Opportunities to assist with natural resource management activities will be highlighted and encouraged including endangered species management of threatened piping plovers.  Internship dates flexible May/June through August/September.       
Qualifications:  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.

Contact Person: Michelle Williams, email: Michelle_Williams@fws.gov

Salary:  Stipend $320/week plus free housing

Employment Details:  On-site housing is provided.  The intern is expected to work 40 hours /week with minimal supervision.  Valid drivers license necessary, government vehicle provided for work hours.  Required work schedule will include 5 days/week, including weekends and holidays. 
 
How to Apply:  Send resume and cover letter to the contact person listed in the position description to Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, PO Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967. 

Closing Date:March 3, 2008

Contact Number: 

631-286-0485

Volunteers at the Complex enjoy

various experiences from monitoring

bluebird populations to leading

guided nature walks, habitat

restoration, maintenance, and

clerical duties.