Biological Research Intern

Ensuring a future for North America’s Cranes
Trustees: Van Korell, Tom Dougherty and Doug Curry
6611 W Whooping Crane Drive
Wood River, NE 68883
p. 308.384.4633
f. 308.384.7209
cranetrust.org
Biological Research Intern Position Type: Seasonal Internship Date of Employment: May 13, 2015 to August 13, 2015 with possibility of extension to October Location: Wood River, NE Stipend: $550/mo with housing provided We are currently seeking 2-­‐4 seasonal Biological Research Interns to serve as part of our natural resources research team at the Crane Trust for the upcoming spring and summer field seasons as part of our Research Experience to Achieve Conservation of Habitat (REACH) Program, with major funding provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET). We will be seeking 1-­‐2 vegetation and 1-­‐3 wildlife ecology interns. Descriptions for specific positions are provided below. As an intern you will have a major responsibility to one project, with opportunities to get involved with your coworkers’ projects, and a variety of smaller side projects. Please apply for the specific major project of your choice. You can highlight two major projects of interest if desired as some will consume less time or will be mostly completed in different time periods throughout the internship, and therefore we can adapt your interests to our program needs throughout the season. Major Projects: Vegetation: Helping establish and read long-­‐term vegetation monitoring plots, including both upland and riparian habitats. Using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species. Helping press plants and establish a herbarium for the Crane Trust. Bison Behavior: Observing Bison social behavior including forage and social behavior, habitat use data, working with the Bison coordinator and the UNL veterinary lab on collecting Bison health data. Small Mammal: Sherman box trapping along long-­‐term monitoring transects to collected species diversity and abundance data, as well as along wetlands specifically for the trapping of the Meadow Jumping Mouse to assess mark recapture techniques from previous seasons. Avian: Assisting with point count and transect songbird surveys as well as helping with shorebird/wading bird and prairie chicken research. Mesocarnivore: Using a baited camera trap technique to survey mesocarnivores on Crane Trust properties and estimate their numbers. There will be a focus on Canids and Mustelids for this project. Smaller Projects: Bat Surveys, Cope’s Gray Treefrog Surveys, Fish Seining, water quality/hydrology, and possibly more. Qualifications: A college degree with a major or minor in the biological sciences, natural resources, botany, range science, ecology, wildlife biology, agriculture or a related field. If you do not have a degree or official minor in one of these fields, college credits equivalent to a minor (24 credits in biological sciences) will be acceptable. Field experience is a bonus, whether in class, for work or for an internship. Please let us know about your love of working in the outdoors. Our mixed grass prairie system is extremely beautiful and diverse, but you will be exposed to many biting insects, hot humid weather conditions, and poisonous plants. Knowing you enjoy working outside for extended periods of time, despite some basic lack of comfort, is a must. You must also be good at working in close quarters with other people. Housing includes private rooms with a shared men’s bathroom and a women’s bathroom, and kitchen. These will be the same people you will also be working long field hours with and collaborating with on research projects, both in the office and field. An ability to get along with others is a must. Must have the ability to hike moderate distances over uneven terrain, lift up to 50 lbs. Skill in Microsoft office, Access, Excel, STATA, R, SPSS, ArcGIS, ArcPad, Garmin Basecamp, DNR Garmin, and other programs often used in Natural Resources Research is a great benefit, but not mandatory. Application Deadline: April 15, 2015 If we have a great deal of applicants we may pull a final list as early as April 1st so make sure to apply as early as possible. If you miss the deadline, still send in your application for the Crane Trust to keep on file in the case that additional interns are recruited. Application Instructions: Send one document, preferably PDF, containing your resume/CV with contact information and three references plus a one page cover letter detailing your interest in a specific project from the major projects list, your relevant skillset and experiences (educational, volunteer or work highlights) and a brief statement about your philosophy on conservation and work. Thank you for your interest in this position. Please mail or email applications to: ATTN: Andy Caven, Lead Biologist Crane Trust 6611 W Whooping Crane Drive Wood River, NE 68883 Questions? Email Andy Caven at acaven@cranetrust.org or call (605) 252-­‐8007 (cell) or (308) 384-­‐4633 x6 (office).