Internships for Food Web Study in California | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Interns needed for food web study

*Dates:* Late March through early June

*Location:* Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (60 miles east of

San Luis Obispo)

*Duties:* 2 interns are needed to conduct a variety of animal surveys as

part of a long-term food web study in the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

The Carrizo is the largest remnant of the San Joaquin grassland ecosystem

and contains many endangered plants and animals. Interns will work on a

team of 3-5 people and will conduct a variety of surveys, focusing

especially on mark-recapture of endangered kangaroo rats. Mark-recapture

surveys of threatened squirrels, visual line transects for reptiles,

pitfall trapping for invertebrates, and spotlight surveys for predators and

lagomorphs may also be conducted, and team members will help with

vegetation sampling. Interns will also take down precipitation plot

equipment and assist with other duties as needed.

*Requirements: *All applicants must be pursuing or have a bachelor=E2=80=

=99s

degree in the natural sciences and have previous field experience.

Applicants must be able to start work by the last week of March and work

through early to mid-June. A strong interest in natural history,

conservation, and/or management and a high level of responsibility,

organization, and motivation are require. It is helpful to have PIT

tagging experience, small mammal trapping experience, and familiarity with

the plants and animals of California. Must be flexible and live and work

well with others in an isolated setting. Applicants must be able to

maintain work quality and a positive attitude during challenging field

conditions. Applicants must be in good physical condition and experienced

with or able to tolerate hot and cold field conditions. Must be able to

work long hours and be comfortable working at night. Prefer applicants with

experience and strong interest in grassland or desert species.

*Work schedule: *Approx. 40 hrs per week, variable throughout season

*Compensation:* $600-800/month. Housing is provided at an active research

facility on the Monument.

*To Apply:* Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information

for 2-3 references as a single Word or PDF attachment to Rachel Endicott at