Undergraduate Summer Internships - NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office and the Chesapeake Research Consortium offer three undergraduate internship opportunities for the summer (late May through mid-August) of 2010. Position descriptions are below.
Please submit a short cover letter that indicates the position(s) you are interested in, resumé, and two references (phone numbers and e-mails) to Dave Jasinski at PO Box 1295, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 or through e-mailing djasinsk@gmail.com by March 5, 2010.

I. Habitat/Fisheries Assessment Intern

Project Description
The Chesapeake Research Consortium and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) seek a summer intern for late May through mid- August (ten weeks) period of 2010 to assist with field work on living resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Since its creation in 1992, NCBO has supported the Chesapeake Bay Program by providing science, service, and stewardship of the natural resources of the Bay. Our scientists conduct regular sampling of fish populations and their habitat in the Bay watershed to better understand the delicate balance and health of this vital ecosystem. This research has resulted in the accumulation of spatially referenced habitat characterizations and a vast number of digital images representing the diverse flora and fauna of the Bay.

The intern will primarily support the Office’s habitat assessment/fisheries priorities. A significant amount of time will be spent sampling and documenting fish populations in Chesapeake Bay tributaries. The position entails a monitoring component including fisheries and invertebrate sampling on reef and shoreline habitats using several sampling techniques. Some data entry, literature review and other administrative tasks will also be assigned as needed. The intern will also have the opportunity to assist NCBO staff in benthic mapping exercises, underwater grass sampling, and conducting Bay-focused outreach lessons for k-12 students.

Opportunities This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale, long-term ecological research critical to understanding Chesapeake Bay living resources. The intern will gain valuable experience in field techniques for sampling a variety of fish and invertebrate species. These experiences will provide a strong background in conservation biology, ichthyology, ecology, hydrology, and chemistry. The position will also provide an opportunity to expand the intern’s knowledge of Chesapeake flora and fauna and the technologies related to field research and ecosystem monitoring.

Deliverables
• Sample macrofauna populations and characterize aquatic habitats of the Chesapeake Bay
• Enter data from sampling efforts into the database
• Presentation to NCBO staff at the conclusion of the internship summarizing work conducted

Requirements
• Willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors on a boat
• Knowledge of and/or comfort in using reference sources on flora and fauna of Chesapeake Bay
• Experience in Web-based research
• Experience in data management and analysis a plus
• Motivated self-starter with ability to work and reason independently
• Must be a college-level student entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate study

The Intern will work at NCBO in Annapolis, MD; access to computers, copiers, and phone services for the position will be provided. The person must be a US citizen and will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $3150 for the equivalent of ten weeks of full time activities (400 hours). Some hours will be variable due to the nature of field work. Candidate should be flexible as plans may change due to weather. No benefits or vacation reimbursements will be provided.

II. Coastal Policy and Restoration Intern

Project Description
The Chesapeake Research Consortium and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) seek a Summer Coastal Policy and Restoration Intern to be located at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in Gloucester Point, Virginia for the period of late May through mid-August (ten weeks). NCBO has an office on the VIMS campus that focuses on coastal management and policy issues. NOAA’s Restoration Center (RC) is co-located with NCBO at VIMS, where their staff oversees habitat restoration projects throughout coastal Virginia. The intern will support NCBO and RC programs by developing communication materials on science related to climate change and its impacts in the Chesapeake Bay, supporting restoration efforts in Virginia, and participating in special events, including NOAA Restoration Day in Virginia and HarborFest in Norfolk .

Opportunities
This internship provides an opportunity to learn about and contribute to the restoration of coastal marine habitats in eastern Virginia, while communicating the value of these habitats to the public. The intern will gain a strong background in Chesapeake Bay flora and fauna identification, monitoring techniques (including topographic surveying, vegetation sampling, and fish sampling using seines and block nets), and NOAA products and services. The intern will work alongside and establish connections with a variety of NOAA partners, with potential for diverse networking opportunities and future career development.

Deliverables
• Fact sheets, whitepapers, and website material communicating the status of climate change policy, actions, needs, and impacts across the region
• Contribute to NOAA Restoration Day in Virginia
• Support restoration efforts in Virginia, including species identification and collection; and project monitoring as needed
• Represent NOAA offices and programs at Harborfest event in Norfolk, VA

Requirements
• Writing experience, particularly that of translating science and policy to general audiences
• Willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors
• Motivated self-starter with ability to work independently • Comfortable speaking to the public
• Must be a college-level student entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate study

The Intern will work at VIMS in Gloucester Point, VA. Access to computers, copiers, and phone services for the position will be provided. The person must be a US citizen and will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $3150 for the equivalent of ten weeks of full-time activities (400 hours). No benefits or vacation reimbursements will be provided.

III. Scientific Field Support Intern

Project Description
The Chesapeake Research Consortium and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) seek a Summer Intern for the period late May through mid-August (ten weeks). The intern will support the logistical and technical aspects of the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS, www.buoybay.org).

The CBIBS component of the position would include maintenance, preparation, and calibration of sensors and buoys; field service visits to buoys; web-based work on quality control and validation of data; and CBIBS product and application development. More information about CBIBS can be obtained through the link, www.buoybay.org.

Opportunities
This internship provides an opportunity to learn about and contribute to the study of water quality in the largest estuary in North America. The intern will gain a strong background in cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, diverse water quality parameters, and NOAA products and services. The intern will work alongside and establish connections with NOAA staff as well as a variety of NOAA partners, with potential for diverse networking opportunities and future career development.

Deliverables
• Hands-on knowledge of the maintenance, preparation, and calibration of water quality sensors
• Hands-on work with buoys currently deployed in the Chesapeake Bay
• Experience with web-based quality control and validation techniques
• Opportunities to contribute to product and application development

Requirements
• willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors
• motivated self-starter with ability to work independently
• interest and/or background in technology desirable
• should be comfortable working on the water in a 22 foot boat
• Must be a college-level student entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate study

The Intern will work at NCBO in Annapolis, MD; access to computers, copiers, and phone services for the position will be provided. The person must be a US citizen and will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $3150 for the equivalent of ten weeks of full time activities (400 hours). Some hours will be variable due to the nature of field work. Candidate should be flexible as plans may change due to weather. No benefits or vacation reimbursements will be provided.