Field Support and Outreach Internship

As a Field Support & Outreach intern, you'll learn important skills that will be important in a marine animal conservation career. You will participate in, and perform activity including field response, animal condition assessment, intervention (such as disentanglement), stranding support, rescue and transport. You will conduct outreach and education functions in the field to teach the public about protected marine species and the importance of a healthy ocean ecosystem.  You will also assist in the all-important functions of data collection, hotline management and dispatching of field responders.

INTERN DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Responding to sightings of, or performing directed surveys for endangered, threatened or protected marine species such as Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles and seabirds and to provide shoreline response to haul-outs, strandings and animals of concern.
• Report on animal behavior, provide basic animal assessment information, provide photo-documentation and other important data used in endangered marine species research, health management and species recovery efforts.
• Perform outreach to the public to encourage stewardship of Hawaii's protected marine species.
• Duties may also include escalated or emergency field response and assisting with protected marine species interventions, strandings and rescue activity.
• Participate in dispatch and reporting activity such as the taking and documenting of phone calls regarding marine species activity, coordinating field response activity, data entry and generating reports.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is an unpaid internship opportunity that requires the intern to live on the island of Oʻahu in the State of Hawaiʻi for the period beginning 4 weeks prior to the start of the internship until the end of the internship.
• The intern is responsible for all lodging, living and transportation costs associated with the internship.
• Interns are required to possess all needed equipment and supplies such as a suitable vehicle, fuel, hiking shoes, hat, sunglasses, water bottles and all equipment listed below. HMAR does not provide lodging, food, supplies or financial support.
• U.S. citizenship, applicable visas or other immigration status documents.
• 18 or more years of age.
• English language fluency.
• Must be a degree-seeking student or a graduate of a college or university program associated with one of the following courses of study: marine biology, marine ecology, conservation or a related field.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA).  For college/university graduates - a 2.7 cumulative GPA prior to the internship. For current students - a 2.7 cumulative GPA prior to and during the internship.
• College credit: If college credit for this internship is desired it is the intern’s responsibility to obtain necessary approvals from the applicable college or university.
• Ability to walk in sandy, rocky and sometimes unstable conditions for 2 miles.
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 75 pounds for 100 feet in beach and rocky conditions.
• Ability to conduct outdoor activity during hot, rainy or windy conditions. You must be able and willing to work on your feet in these conditions for a minimum of 4 continuous hours.
• Ability to swim required.
• Experience with small boat operations and open ocean in-water environments (desired but not required).
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in potentially stressful conditions.
• Possess an interest and desire to engage with the public.
• Possess a team-based work ethic and attitude.
• Acceptance of our Intern Policies, Waivers, Releases and Indemnifications.
• Attend mandatory in-field or classroom training sessions as required.
• Must have access to a reliable car or truck (truck preferred) during the internship period. Motorcycles or scooters will not be sufficient.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Proof of automobile insurance carrying Hawaiʻi minimum liability coverage levels.
• Access to a cellular phone with 4G data service and camera.
• Access to a digital camera (a smartphone is not sufficient) with at least a 35X zoom. The digital camera must have the ability to upload photos taken to your smartphone so they may be emailed from the field in real time. This can be accomplished using WiFi, Bluetooth or through the use of a data card upload cable.
• Access to binoculars with at least a 10X magnification level.
• Pass a background check.

ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Internship term: See internship terms below
• Hours per week: 21 hours minimum for semester internships. J-term interns commit to 30 hours per week. However, due to the unpredictable nature of marine animal response, the intern may sometimes be required to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Travel time to and from training or field activity locations is not included in these minimum hours. The intern must be able and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.
• The intern is expected to be available for activity anywhere on the Island of Oʻahu in the State of Hawaiʻi.