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

Exploring sea level rise impacts and engaging youth in Oregon’s coastal habitats: Internship in estuary research and education (Coos Bay, Oregon)

Summary / Description

This intern will work with both the science and education teams at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (Reserve) to support estuary research and monitoring and assist with science communication through the delivery of summer science day camps. The intern will generally work every other week with each team depending on summer camp and fieldwork schedules. The intern will also work closely with another estuary science and education intern to select and collaborate on a science communication project from a list of research priorities identified by the Reserve.

The intern will spend roughly half their time working closely with Reserve science staff. 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 staff and other interns to collect vegetation, hydrology, surface elevation, accretion, and vertical elevation data at multiple tidal marsh sites within the estuary to support this project.

The other half of the intern’s time will be spent assisting with the Reserve’s education team to implement summer science camps and other education and outreach programs. The Reserve offers day camps for children ages 5-18 throughout the summer. The intern will assist education staff with the planning and delivery of these camps. They may identify or create lessons themselves or opt to support and lead activities designed or demonstrated by Reserve educators.

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, and leveling elevation surveys. 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 build a greater understanding of estuaries and coastal ecosystems and recognize the value of education and communication about these places. The intern will develop skills in science communication for diverse audiences and learn best practices for connecting with different ages of children, leading lessons, and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment. The intern will have opportunities to participate in other Reserve science projects as well as other education and outreach programs as time permits.  

https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SS/Pages/Science.aspx
https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SS/Pages/Camp.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 sometimes be working with expensive scientific instruments and so should demonstrate a high level of responsibility. Experience with database and data analysis software to complete data entry and trend analyses of datasets is preferred but not required.

The ideal intern will have experience with, or a strong interest in learning about, working with children of varying ages, especially in outdoor settings to communicate science, nature and conservation related topics. Interns should be comfortable interacting with children of all ages as well as their guardians and other visitors to the Reserve.

It’s important for the intern to be organized, dependable and flexible, as both camps and 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 both science and Education 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 12-passenger vans with children and 4WD trucks.

Type of Opportunity

  • Combined research and science communications

Location

  • South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Charleston, OR Note – The intern’s place of work will be split between the Reserve science lab and offices, on the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology campus (Charleston, OR) and the Reserve Visitor Center within the Reserve proper, about 10 minutes’ drive away. Limited shared 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:  Science mentor: Jenni Schmitt; Education mentor: Jaime Belanger
  • Number of Slots Available:  1