The SPOTD turtle conservation internship program is designed to provide hands-on field experience.
The Splash Fund of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium works in collaboration with The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Wild4Ever for field work as part of the Spotted Turtle Headstarting, Augmentation, and Repatriation Program for Northeast Ohio.
Field sampling is conducted daily from Mid-May through August for a total of 350 hours, with a minimum commitment of 4 days per week. Interns will receive a $400 stipend upon the completion of the program.
Requirements
• Be currently enrolled in a college or university and receive academic credit hours for internship
• Major in Environmental Science, Biology, Animal Science or related field
• Have a minimum of one year of course work in the major field of study
• Must be motivated to work independently
• Previous field experience desired
• This position requires physical labor. Must be able to wade through small bodies of water, and carry field equipment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license and personal transportation to field sites
Job Duties:
- Travel around NE Ohio to field sites for turtle trapping activities
- Safely transport turtles between field location, GCA and veterinarian’s office
- Collect field data including turtle data and environmental conditions
- Identification and handling of aquatic species including reptiles, amphibians and insects
- Must be able to use field equipment such as GPS, RF tracking device, pit tag reader, and temperature dataloggers
- Follow standards as directed by ODNR permit
- Maintain field gear in good working condition
- Coordinate the transfer of field gear between sampling teams
- Complete a field report and data entry
Please email resume to: Stephanie White, Curator at swhite@greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
2000 Sycamore Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216-862-8803