Salmonid Monitoring Intern

Overview

Turtle Island Restoration Network’s California-based initiative, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN), protects endangered, wild Coho salmon and the ecosystems they need to survive in West Marin County, California. We are currently undertaking the second phase of our largest restoration project yet, restoring a one-mile stretch of Lagunitas Creek. By re-creating lost floodplains and native riparian forest we are working to ensure coho salmon remain part of our ecosystem for generations to come. These actions will improve habitat for adult and juvenile coho salmon, steelhead trout, California freshwater shrimp, California red-legged frog, and a myriad of other wildlife species as part of an effort to reverse the decline of species statewide.

Position Summary

This is a six-month position, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

SPAWN is seeking a residential intern to assist staff with juvenile salmonid monitoring programs in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. Under supervision from SPAWN staff, the Salmonid Monitoring Intern will be responsible for assisting with juvenile smolt monitoring, data collection and entry, report writing, as well as gathering and organizing research materials and equipment. The intern will gain technical skills in research and monitoring of an endangered species.

Intern Roles & Responsibilities

• This is a full-time position Tuesday-Saturday. Work will be primarily outdoors (all weather conditions) and may be around poison oak and ticks
• Assisting with surveys of juvenile smolts from March through August
• Data collection and entry
• Report writing
• Organizing and gathering biological research equipment

We also encourage each intern to pursue a project of their choice! Past projects have focused on environmental education, plant propagation techniques, plant-wildlife interactions, and improving nursery operation.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in fisheries biology/ecology
• Experience collecting, entering, and organizing biological monitoring data
• Experience with Microsoft Access and Excel
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively to members of the public
• Ability to work independently and organize oneself
• Ability to use PC or Mac proficiently
• Driver’s license (own vehicle a plus)
• Ability to project a positive image with community
• Organization skills with attention to detail

Terms

Salary: Unpaid.

Location: This position is located at our headquarters in Olema, California, with housing in Lagunitas.

Starting Time: This is a six-month position, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) Tuesday-Saturday.

Benefits: Coed housing is provided in a furnished house that features shared bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces. The intern house is located five miles from our headquarters in a redwood forest, adjacent to State and National Parklands just 25 miles north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. You will also have the opportunity to volunteer at the local food bank in exchange for weekly groceries.

We are happy to work with academic departments to ensure the internship meets requirements for academic credit.