Program Dates: 05/20/2024 - 05/18/2025About us:The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country."
Program Description:The Carterville Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office (CAR FWCO) is located in Carbondale, IL. The CAR FWCO seeks an intern for fisheries related work.
The intern will assist CAR FWCO field leads in activities related to the management and control of invasive carps in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as well as on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes and the management of native species in the Mississippi River. The intern will work closely with state and federal partners to implement sampling related to invasive carp and native species management. Specific activities include using a variety of fisheries sampling techniques and gears (e.g., boat-mounted electrofishing, dozer trawling, hydroacoustic sampling, eDNA, and gill netting). The intern will be responsible for gear maintenance and preparation for field sampling. Other duties include: vehicle and vessel maintenance, data entry and management, and assistance with other natural resource conservation activities in the region.
Duties:
Field investigations
Percentage of time: 40%
Work with supervisor and/or senior biologist(s) in performing multiple actions:
Assists with biological field investigations, related to invasive carps and native species. Investigations include, but are not limited to, early detection, monitoring, gear effectiveness, and acoustic tagging. Duties may also include assisting with state agency priority sampling. Intern should be prepared to be away from duty station up to two weeks at a time, although most field sampling will be conducted during a typical 5-day work week. Intern should be in good physical condition, with the ability to lift objects, pull nets, and withstand potentially harsh environmental conditions. Duties also include preparation of gear prior to and maintenance of gear upon conclusion of field activities.
Laboratory/office/station duties
Percentage of time: 40%
Laboratory work may include processing samples from field work (e.g., aging fish using otoliths) and working with various laboratory equipment. Office responsibilities include administrative duties, data entry and management, basic reporting. Station duties may include equipment maintenance and assistance with activities associated with the office complex.
Miscellaneous
Percentage of time: 20%
Responds to written, telephone, and in-person inquiries. Assists CAR FWCO staff with duties, as assigned.
Please note that this position will include overnight travel. Expenses incurred will be reimbursed with receipts. Member Benefits:- $630/week* Living Allowance
- $1,100* To/From Travel Allowance, paid once with first paycheck
- Health Insurance
- Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,895.00, received upon successful completion of position and 1700 hours or more of service
- Eligible for the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of position (640 hrs minimum of service)
*All Allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxesPlease note that housing is not provided for this position.Member Qualifications:- Driver's license
- Personal vehicle required