Coastal Waterbird Intern

This is a great opportunity for a college undergraduate or graduate student, who has a demonstrated interest in developing a strong understanding of the ecology, conservation and management of nongame waterbirds, to work with Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) professionals who share the same passion. The DWR is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are leading wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature.

DWR values Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by striving to become a workforce that is reflective of the population it serves and recognized as the “employer of choice for all” in state government for recruiting, retaining, and sustaining a ready, diverse, and highly-skilled workforce. We will ensure that policies and practices support an inclusive culture, not only in a manner that complies with all applicable laws, but also fosters an environment in which every individual has the opportunity to prosper and contribute to the mission of the agency.

The successful candidate will travel by boat daily with the mentor, the mentor’s biological assistant (assistant) and a biological technician (technician) to undeveloped barrier islands and marshes on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay to survey and monitor breeding populations of federally threatened piping plovers, state threatened Wilson’s plovers, American oystercatchers and colonial nesting seabirds. Duties will include plover, oystercatcher, and seabird breeding surveys, nest searches, behavioral observations, nest/brood monitoring and mobile app data entry. Other responsibilities will include assisting with a seabird diet study and a new habitat restoration project as well as some public outreach. The successful applicant may have the opportunity to participate in other cooperating agency studies such as marine mammal and sea turtle stranding data collection and seabird nest management activities at various urban locations in the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area. This internship will consist almost entirely of fieldwork. The successful candidate will be trained by and work closely with the mentor, assistant and technician throughout the internship. The goal is to have the intern monitor assigned pairs of plovers and oystercatchers on their own once the desired skill level is achieved; thus, much of the initial training will involve identifying breeding territories, locating and monitoring nests and broods, and learning proper data collection and entry methods. The intern will also be exposed to boat launching, operation and navigation, and gain a good understanding of coastal ecosystems.

The 12-week internship is from May 16, 2025, thru August 1, 2025, and will require the incumbent to work flexible hours totaling 30 – 40 hours per work week on average, including some weekends.

Housing may be provided for this internship opportunity. The successful incumbent will be responsible for securing their own transportation needs.

Minimum Qualifications

* Applicant must be at least 18 years of age and be enrolled as a college undergraduate or graduate student, for the fall 2025 semester;
* Must currently be authorized to work in the United states, per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requirements (www.uscis.gov/I-9);
* Minimum GPA of 2.8 and be able to provide official college/university documentation of current GPA;
* Have a valid driver’s license;
* Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel);
* Able to work independently, while following supervisor’s instructions and guidance, and
* Good oral and written communication skills
* Experience working with or strong working knowledge of coastal waterbirds is desired.
* Applicants must be able to walk in difficult terrain for long distances (up to 10 miles per day), carry equipment up to 30 lbs. in weight, and tolerate biting insects and extreme temperatures.
* Must also be comfortable traveling in small boats, being around water and possess the ability to swim; must also be willing to work in remote locations, and must be willing to work flexible hours, including some weekends.

Additional Considerations

* Student working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, or a related field; background in ornithology or general biology;
* Experience working with or strong working knowledge of coastal waterbirds is desired
* Boating experience are preferred.
* Prior field data collection experience;
* Experience working with mobile data collection platforms; and
* DWR Safe Boating Certificate