REEF Marine Conservation Internship - Application Information

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The REEF Marine Conservation Internship Program is designed to introduce college-age individuals (Juniors, Seniors, recent graduates & graduate students) to working in the non-profit sector of marine conservation.

About the Internship

Location: REEF HQ in Key Largo, FL.

Time Commitment: 4 months. 4 days (28 hours) each week in the REEF office; whenever possible, 1/2 day each week working with another environmental organization and 1/2 day each week of diving.

Housing:  Affordable housing is provided for interns; REEF pays for half of housing costs.  This is an unpaid position.

Dates of Position (see bottom of page for application deadlines):

• Spring Semester: January - May


• Summer Semester: May - September


• Fall Semester: September - January

*Start and end dates are somewhat flexible depending on University schedules and other school or work commitments.

Supervisor: Martha Klitzkie - General Manager

Internship Description:

REEF is a nonprofit education and data gathering organization focusing on training volunteer divers and snorkelers in identification of fish and the methodologies used to conduct fish surveys. Interns can expect to be exposed to a wide range of environmental nonprofit activities. These will include: handling incoming data forms, computer data entry, helping to write and layout newsletters and flyers, packaging orders, answering phones and e-mail, and working with members of the public that come into the REEF office for information. Interns will also take part in the numerous courses and seminars conducted by REEF including the Project AWARE Fish Identification Specialties, the Great Annual Fish Count and other REEF marine life talks.

Interns are encouraged to implement individual projects related to their areas of interest. In addition, they are presented with opportunities to volunteer with other local environmental organizations,. Past intern projects have related to biological assessment fieldwork and data analysis, community education and outreach, language translations of REEF materials, writing, artwork, and GIS mapping.

Duties:

• Assist in processing Fish Survey report forms


• Assist with exotic species reports, data management of lionfish sightings/ captures, and lionfish data collection/ dissections


• Assist with invasive lionfish education, outreach, and control programs


• Respond to phone, e-mail and in-person information requests


• Conduct seminars for local and visiting school and dive groups


• Conduct Fish Survey dives to gather sighting information


• Write occasional articles for website and newsletter

Benefits:

• Exposure to non-profit educational and environmental organizations


• Experience in monitoring protocols, procedures and data management


• Experience with invasive species monitoring, research, outreach, and control programs


• Opportunities to teach others about the marine environment


• College credit, if appropriate


• Letters of recommendation provided upon successful completion of the internship


• Diving Days!

Certification Required: Basic Open Water SCUBA

Qualifications:

• Interns must be current on their SCUBA diving skills and provide their own diving equipment. Experience in ocean and boat diving is preferred.


• Transportation while living in Key Largo is required.


• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is necessary.


• Excellent people and communication skills required. We work with the general public on a continual basis.


• Enthusiasm to teach and instill a connection to the marine environment with a wide array of people.

Training Provided:

On the Job Training: Interns will be taught identification of local Florida and Caribbean fish species, including the opportunity to conduct numerous fish survey dives. Computer data entry and management will also be taught.

Available Training: Interns can receive in-depth training on Caribbean reef fishes including identification, behavior, ecology and survey methodologies. They will also be provided the opportunity to teach marine life seminars to the general public.

Equipment to be Supplied by Intern: Reliable transportation. Full SCUBA equipment.

Applying

Contact:  Martha Klitzkie - General Manager - PO Box 246 Key Largo FL 33037 (305) 852-0030, martha@reef.org

To apply:  Send the following to REEF's General Manager, Martha Klitzkie. email: martha@reef.org or mail: P.O. Box 246, Key Largo, FL USA 33037

• your resume


• a cover letter outlining (a) why you are interested in working with REEF and (b) previous experience(s) that make you a strong candidate for the Marine Conservation Internship


• a letter of reference from at least 1 previous or current professor, supervisor, or other non-related individuals with whom you have worked or studied for a significant period of time

Deadlines:   Fall:  Applications must be received by June 15th.  Spring:  Application must be received by November 1st.  Summer: Application must be received by April 1st (*January 31st if you are applying for the funded REEF internship through Our World Underwater, see below). Candidates will be notified within 3-4 weeks of the application deadline of the semester for which they apply.

Our World Underwater/ REEF Internship Opportunity - Summer of 2012

Each year, Our World Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) supports 5 summer internships, one of them being with REEF in Key Largo.  Through this exceptional opportunity OWUSS provides a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and living expenses during the three-month long internship. 

Please visit the OWUSS website for more information and to apply:  http://www.owuscholarship.org/internships/current.aspx  It is possible to apply for both the OWUSS/REEF internship and the REEF marine conservation internship so that you can be considered for the REEF unpaid internship in the case that you are not selected for the OWUSS/REEF internship. 

Application Deadline:  January 31st, 2012 for Summer 2012 Scholarship