At nearly 96,000 acres, Seney National Wildlife Refuge (Seney NWR) in Michigans Upper Peninsula is one of the larger National Wildlife Refuges east of the Mississippi River. Seney NWR also administers island refuges in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, as well as Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area in the northern Lower Peninsula. For more information see: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/seney/
During the summer of 2014, Seney NWR will offer 2-3 Applied Sciences Program internships. These positions will last for up to 12 weeks, with some flexibility in starting and ending dates. Assigned duties will be wide- ranging and will provide an immersion in ecology and ecologically-based land management. While the primary goal of the internship is to provide the Applied Sciences Program with field assistants, consideration is given to giving interns a broad array of experiences. Because of this, interns will be challenged as one would M.S. students and intellectual, physical, and emotional maturity and toughness are expected. Assigned duties will include assisting with a combination of biological and ecological assessments and inventories (e.g., forest stand assessments and inventories, bird surveys and censuses, frog and toad surveys, colonial waterbird surveys); assisting with habitat management (e.g., forest management, invasive species management); and assisting with on-going ecological research projects (see http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Seney/what_we_do/research.html). Work is often weather-dependent, with some work done rain or shine. Interns must therefore be flexible and willing to adapt to changes for these and other unforeseen circumstances. Interns will be provided certification in ATV use and certification as State of Michigan pesticide (Rodeo) applicators (both at no expense). Most land management is not for single species, but integrates landscape ecology, disturbance ecology, wetland and forest ecology, and restoration ecology principles. Applicants should be currently or recently enrolled as an undergraduate student, be inquisitive, enjoy working outside and in remote settings, be experienced with orienteering (no MapQuest!), be physically fit, be able to work independently or as a part of a team, have solid communication skills, have a valid drivers license, and have a background in a related field. Interns are provided $200/week stipends for a 40 to 50-hour work week. Seney NWR will provide dorm-style housing, laundry facilities, and a work vehicle at no charge. Interns should have their own transportation for personal use. Those applicants who are interviewed will be given the names and contact information of past interns for reference purposes. To apply, a SINGLE .pdf file (<6 MB) of the following material must be received via email to [email protected] before 4 PM ET on Monday, 3 February 2014: 1. a 1-page cover letter describing personal background and interests and a discussion on how these relate to Seneys mission (see URLs, above, also the posted Habitat Management Plan for more information); 2. a detailed resume describing education, work experiences, and skills; 3. unofficial copies of all college transcripts; 4. two (2) Letters of Recommendation that must include the name, affiliation, telephone number, and email address of each author. One (1) Letter must come from a past employer not associated with a university and demonstrate the candidates ability to accomplish independent work. Practical skills are highly valued. No hardcopy material or other material sent separately by any other form will be accepted. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive and until the positions are filled. Decisions should be made within one week after the closing date. All information should be sent to: Dr. Greg Corace Applied Sciences Program Seney National Wildlife Refuge 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd. Seney, MI 49883 [email protected] 906.286.1599 Incomplete (or late) applications may not receive full consideration. For additional information, contact Dr. Corace at the email or phone number above.
