Submitted by Emily Argo
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]

Manatee Internships Available
In cooperation with the Manatee Awareness Coalition (MAC) and the Tampa
Bay
Estuary Program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (St.
Petersburg, Florida) and Tampa BayWatch, Inc. seek 7 interns to work on
a
Tampa Bay manatee program from January - March 2002 and 7 to work June -
August 2002.

Tampa Bay Manatee Watch is a potentially precedent setting research
study
and educational program designed to protect manatees and promote
stewardship
of Tampa Bay.  Interns participate in three main components:
1)Manatee/boater interaction research to assess the effectiveness of
educational efforts,
2)Boater education on the water aboard a specially designed pontoon
boat,
and
3)Boater education on shore at area boat ramps, marinas, and festivals

The research project is a 3-year manatee/boater interaction study.
There
are three 10-week sampling sessions each year (summer, fall, and
winter).
Observers use spotting scopes and binoculars to collect information
describing boater activity at two study areas in St. Petersburg,
Florida.
Boater education is targeted at actual Bay users.  Interns and
volunteers
provide users with free educational boater kits and easy techniques to
protect manatees and seagrass habitat.  They also talk with the
community at
boat ramps, marinas, festivals, and on Tampa Bay aboard a specially
designed
pontoon boats.  We are currently accepting applications for the January
-
March 2002 and the June - August 2002 sampling sessions.

Manatee Watch Research Project Assistants (FWC)
Five internship positions are available for each 10-week sampling
session.
Junior and senior college students and recent graduates are eligible.
Interns work approximately 35-40 hours per week (Tuesday -Saturday) and
are
required to commit to the full sampling period, plus training.  Interns
serve as "site captains" at one of five locations and are responsible
for
data collection, entry, and verification, equipment maintenance, and
volunteer support.  Although the manatee/boater interaction study is the
primary focus, interns will participate in manatee photo-identification
and
other manatee-related programs.

Manatee Watch Coordinator Assistants (Tampa BayWatch, Inc.)
Two internship positions are available for each 10-week sampling session
(longer internships may be available).  Interns will assist the Manatee
Watch Coordinator with all aspects of the program.  Interns will work
both
in the field and in the office. Interns work approximately 35-40 hours
per
week and are required to commit to the full sampling period, plus
training.
Interns should expect to work Tuesday -Saturday and some weeknights
during
the sampling session. Interns must be friendly, with an open attitude
since
both positions will speak publicly, recruit volunteers, and interact
frequently with the public.
The Education Assistant Intern will primarily assist with the
educational
program.  The interns will spend a minimum of three days in a busy
office.
Office tasks include: developing and preparing materials for boater
education, writing and publishing the community newsletter, scheduling
training sessions, preparing the volunteer calendars, tracking
administrative information, and fielding program questions by phone.
Fieldwork includes (primarily) boater education with occasional research
project fieldwork.
The Research Assistant Intern will assist the research program.
Fieldwork
includes providing back up to the line-of-sight surveys and conducting
community volunteer visits during scheduled field days.  In the office,
the
intern will enter boater education information data and track volunteer
hours for the research project.

Qualifications:  Interns should have some research field experience, be
computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Access97 or
Access2000, and be proficient in the use of a 35-mm camera, various
filters
and lenses. Small watercraft and spotting scope experience are
desirable,
but not necessary. In addition, interns must be able to stand for up to
3-hours in harsh weather conditions (sun/wind/water), able to carry
approximately 50 lbs. over a sandy terrain, swim, and have a valid
driver's
license.  These positions are unpaid, housing is not provided, and
interns
must have or find transportation to FMRI and/or Tampa BayWatch, Inc.
While
these internships are not paid positions, they are excellent resume
builders.  In addition, interns will participate in scientific research
and
other manatee-related projects, meet other marine scientists, and polish
public speaking and writing skills while participating in an innovative
environmental education program that may change manatee protection
strategies state-wide.

Please send internship application including project interest (Manatee
Watch), transcripts, resume, cover letter, references, and E-mail
address
to:

Mr. Bill Arnold
FWC/FMRI
100 8th Ave. SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3095
727-896-8626

Additional information about FWC' s manatee programs and internships may
be
found at www.floridamarine.org.