We’re hiring a Facility Operations Specialist. Applications due 12/26/2024.

Explore the Future of Estuary Monitoring: GIS and Drone Technology in Action (Coos Bay, Oregon)

Summary / Description

This intern will work with the science team at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve to support estuary research and monitoring with UAS (aka drones). The intern will generally work closely with mentor 5 days a week in the field and/or office. The intern will also work with other reserve science and education interns to get a sense of the research on-going at the reserve.

The Reserve has established a series of long-term monitoring sites in the estuary to understand the local effects of sea level rise on tidal marsh communities. The intern will work with the UAS program lead to fly UAS missions across the reserve for marsh monitoring, which includes field work with RTK GPS unit. The intern will also work with staff and other interns to collect field data of vegetation, hydrology, surface elevation, accretion, and vertical elevation data at multiple tidal marsh sites within the estuary to support this project.

From this internship, the student will gain experience in field, laboratory, and professional office settings. The intern will gain knowledge of a variety of field equipment and techniques related to wetland monitoring including percent cover and density metrics for wetland plant communities, plant identification, rod surface elevation tables (RSETs), marker horizons, groundwater level and salinity instruments, Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS, leveling elevation surveys, GIS, and UAS operations. The intern will also gain experience in databases, data management, sensor calibration, post-processing of GPS data, and creation of visual summaries. The intern will have opportunities to participate in other Reserve science projects as well as other education and outreach programs as time permits.  

More information about us here: https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SS/Pages/Science.aspx

Skills Required

The intern will spend many hours in the field and be responsible for collecting and entering quality data. Much of the scientific data collection and data entry can be repetitive, so the intern should be detail oriented. In addition, they will be working with expensive scientific instruments( UAV, RTK, etc.) and should demonstrate a high level of responsibility. Experience with drones (UAV), GIS, and processing software to complete spatial or photogrammetry analyses of datasets is preferred but not required.

It’s important for the intern to be organized, dependable and flexible, as fieldwork schedules can be dynamic (e.g., early morning low tide work) and subject to last-minute changes. An ideal intern will work well in a group but also be comfortable taking initiative or working independently. Much of the work for science takes place outdoors. The intern should be comfortable working outside for many hours and able to hike in coastal habitats (including off-trail into marshes, dunes and mudflats), often while carrying heavy backpacks. They are expected to work collaboratively with other interns, volunteers and staff. Interns will be required to have a driver’s license and should be comfortable or willing to learn to drive Reserve vehicles, including 4WD trucks.

Type of Opportunity

  • Research

Location

  • South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Charleston, OR Note – The intern’s place of work will be at the Reserve science lab and offices, on the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology campus (Charleston, OR). Limited housing is available at visiting researcher accommodations within the Reserve. The South Slough Reserve is in a rural setting with very limited public transportation options; therefore, having a personal vehicle is highly recommended. Interns with their own vehicles will have an easier time exploring the area and getting to town to access services (e.g., laundry, grocery). Agency vehicles are available to interns for work use only.

Other Information

  • Intern Supervisor:  Jennifer Kirkland
  • Number of Slots Available:  1