Natural Resource Management Intern (PO-00730422)

This position will assist the National Park Service personnel and staff with protecting and monitoring the marine and freshwater ecosystems in Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KNHP).
The internship will involve living and working in a remote, isolated community on Molokai, Hawaii. The internship position will support ongoing efforts in the Marine Program at KNHP to monitor the health of the marine and freshwater environments including coral reef surveys, stream animal assessments, monk seal and sea turtle surveys, water quality, maintaining temperature loggers, and weather station equipment. The position will also assist with active resource management projects including coastal marine debris collection, lobster surveys, eDNA sampling, and injured or stranded marine life responses. Participating in terrestrial projects like native plant restoration and out planting or plant nursery work may be possible as opportunities arise.

Responsibilities and duties:
Under the direction of the KNHP Marine Ecologist, these positions will:

• use SCUBA to collect scientific data underwater.
• assist the park boat operator with safe boating practices including docking, trailering, and live boating.
• assist with performing basic maintenance and upkeep of park boat for seaworthiness.
• implement established freshwater and marine ecology projects following instructions and standardized procedures.
• assist with the collection and organization of freshwater and marine resource field data.
• ensure quality control of biological and other natural resource data collected in the field.
• assist with weekly coastal walking surveys for marine T&E species.
• perform multi-day field trips in the backcountry to collect freshwater stream data.  
• utilize spreadsheets and databases to enter and maintain data and assist with analyzing data and writing reports.

Objectives:

1. Support the park’s ongoing long-term monitoring efforts in the following areas:
   1. threatened and endangered species like Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles.
   2. coral reef and freshwater stream environments.
   3. weather station equipment maintenance and data collection
   4. wetland temperature and water level loggers and data collection
   5. quarterly Waikolu Stream gauging station maintenance
   6. NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Sea Level Gauge and tsunami detection system equipment and data collection
2. Support current active resource management efforts in the following areas:
   1. baseline data collection of environmental DNA (eDNA)
   2. response to potential threats (invasive species, oil spill, boat grounding, etc.)
   3. lobster survey method study
   4. coastal marine debris collection
   5. response to injured or stranded marine mammals
3. Engage local community by participating in job fairs, Earth Day event, and other outreach and education events as opportunities arise.

Qualifications:

• An interest and prior academic experience in marine ecology (required)
• Open water SCUBA certification (required)
• Ability carry out physically demanding work (required)
• Proficiency in swimming (required)
• Experience with marine ecology data collection and entry (preferred)
• Ability to live and work in a remote, isolated community Mon-Fri each week

Compensation:

• $1,500 – one-time round-trip travel allowance
• $600/week – living allowance
• $400 – duty-related reimbrseable expenses (for work-related gear, etc.)
• Housing provided
• Health insurance available
• AmeriCorps elgible (must complete 1700 hours to earn Award of $6,895)

*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes

It is SCA's policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared prior to the position's start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position's start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.

*For SCA's COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid  

Position ID: PO-00730422

Expected Dates: April 8, 2024 - April 6, 2025

Location:
290 Beretania St., #2222
Kalaupapa, HI 96742
US

Training Provided: Boating, surveying, data collection

Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Hiking, sea-based activities

Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt

Further Details

AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible

Driving Logistics: Not needed

Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member

Indoor/Outdoor: Outside

US Citizenship: Yes