Wildlife Biology Volunteer

The Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR, an important migratory bird stopover site, is recruiting for a biology volunteer to assist the refuge biologist in facilitating the refuge biological program on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuges located at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula.  Come join our team and live on a beautiful coastal refuge while contributing to wildlife conservation.

Schedule is flexible and may include weekends.  Work can occur in hot humid weather with biting insects, dense vegetation and is sometimes strenuous.  Starting in March is preferred but position could start as early as February.  End date is flexible with a commitment through at least August preferred.  Modern refuge bunkhouse style housing with WIFI access is available with a minimum of volunteering 24 hours per week.

Requirements:

• A recent college graduate or current student in Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, or a related field.
• Must have good oral communication and writing skills, be able to work independently and with others, have good observational skills.
• Valid driver's license.
• Schedule flexibility including some weekends and holidays.
• Must be comfortable working on a boat, and working alone for several hours at a time in remote locations and with others. 
• A vehicle is not required but is strongly recommended for personal use since area is relatively rural with most services located approximately 10 miles away.
• Strong interest in ornithology.
• Attention to detail.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Monitor and manage breeding populations of federally threatened piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and least terns.
• Deploy and manage camera traps on American oystercatcher nests and review images.
• Map invasive vegetation using iPad with ESRI Collector App.
• Assist with seasonal sign posting.
• Monitor osprey and great blue heron colonies.
• Ensure data collection is complete, organized, and entered into appropriate databases.
• Daily vehicle maintenance, including trucks, and boats.
• Respond to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings.
• Other biological duties as assigned.

Benefits include: participate in available trainings during internship, free housing, experience with a refuge biological program, experience with other partners (e.g., The Nature Conservancy).

How to Apply: an application packet (pdf format or Word) is required and must include the following three items:

Email packet to [email protected]

Application deadline is January 31, 2020; however, selection process WILL begin before the closing date, so applying earlier is strongly recommended.

For additional information, please visit our website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/eastern_shore_of_virginia/