Sea Turtle Internship Opportunity

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION  Mote's College Internship Program is designed to inspire students with a life-long appreciation and commitment to the conservation and sustainability of our oceans through a unique opportunity to explore the marine world and its inhabitants hands-on under the mentorship of recognized scientific research leaders in their respective fields of study.  Mote Marine Laboratory’s sea turtle care program is seeking applicants for spring internships.  Mote’s sea turtle care program is responsible for caring for four resident sea turtles (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas).  Routine care involves daily feeding, tank maintenance, water chemistries as well as heavy involvement in husbandry training with all four of these turtles. 

PROGRAM: Sea Turtle Care, Mote Marine Laboratory 

SUPERVISOR: Kelly Martin, Sea Turtle Care Coordinator 

INTERN DUTIES:
1.      Care and maintenance of resident loggerhead and green sea turtles.  Includes daily observation and providing environmental enrichment, as well as assisting with routine medical exams, weighing, and measuring of the turtles.
2.      Assist in daily husbandry training with all four resident turtles to advance our ability to provide veterinary care.
3.      Diet preparation and feeding of exhibit animals.
4.      Maintenance of exhibit tanks: includes daily cleaning, taking and regulating water chemistries, and maintaining the filtration systems.
5.      General cleaning and upkeep of the entire public display area.
6.      Assist with care, rehabilitation, and release of sea turtle hatchlings during hatching season (June to October.)
7.      Public interaction: provide accurate information to visitors about sea turtles in general and the resident turtles in particular.
8.      Extra projects are encouraged to further involve and educate the public and to provide extra enrichment for the turtles.
9.      Assist in basic husbandry behaviors and enrichment programs. 

REQURIED QUALIFICATIONS:

SKILLS:  Must be comfortable working with the public, staff, volunteers, and other interns.  Must be willing to take initiative on extra projects, and on the day to day maintenance of the animals and facility.  Must be willing to help with turtle medical exams and other procedures as they come up. 

EDUCATION:  Coursework in biology, zoology, and animal behavior is beneficial. Students working towards a bachelor’s degree or recent graduates are preferred.

EXPERIENCE:  Previous experience with animals is beneficial but not necessary.  Experience or interest in animal training and husbandry is a plus.  Must be willing to learn about sea turtles in order to properly educate the public and must be willing to observe the turtles to better learn individual behavior.

OTHER:  Must be willing to work flexible hours.  This job can require long days, weekend shifts, as well as some late night and early morning hours.    

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:  Interns should wear casual and comfortable clothing.  This is an open-air facility so prepare for all types of weather.  Clothing should be suitable for public presentation, but casual enough to withstand getting wet and dirty.  Occasionally, a swimsuit or wet suit is required for scrubbing tanks. 

SUPERVISION:  The intern will be trained by the supervisor.  Once the intern has gained adequate knowledge about the exhibit turtles, sea turtle biology, and the tasks involved in exhibit maintenance, they will be assigned independent maintenance, presentation, and research projects, which they will help initiate.  The supervisor will monitor the projects and remain accessible to the intern for questions and advice. 

HOURS/SALARY: This position requires 40 hours per week on a voluntary basis – interns will not be paid.  Mote provides the opportunity for some interns to receive a scholarship to help pay for living expenses during the internship.  Mote can also assist interns in finding housing. 

TO APPLY: Please visit www.mote.org for internship applications and information.  When submitting your application, please indicate your interest in our Sea Turtle Care Program on the form. 

QUESTIONS: Any questions, please feel free to contact Kelly Martin at kmartin@mote.org or
(941) 388-4441 ext. 202.