Photo by Rebecca Bracken
Biology Internships
GCBO interns work on a variety of field projects and also spend one to two days a week doing office work. Under supervision of a GCBO biologist, interns will gain experience with:
- Monitoring nesting American Oystercatchers by boat including capturing and banding adults and chicks (February – June),
- Monitoring nesting Black Skimmers by boat including banding chicks (April – August),
- Monitoring nesting Wilson’s Plovers and Least Terns on the beach including capturing and banding adult and chick Wilson’s Plovers (April – July),
- Monitoring wintering shorebirds along the beach including taking photos to support resighting information (September – March),
- Posting signage around nesting and loafing areas,
- Participating in Beach Nesting Birds and Non-breeding Shorebird outreach events,
- Monitoring wintering Loggerhead Shrikes including VHF tracking and resighting.
Equally important is office work which consists of entering field data, volunteer hours, and helping with filing tasks. Depending on time of year, interns will also help with various fund raising and other events including Brew on the Bayou (March), Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza (September), and Bird Camp (June). GCBO internships are designed to give recent college graduates experience in avian research, conservation, and non-profit management while they pursue a full time job or continuing their education.
Housing is provided onsite at GCBO headquarters. Pets can be considered on a case by case basis. While we do not offer interns a salary, we can offer a $100/week stipend. We have three standard intern periods: Jan through mid-May, mid-May through mid-August, mid-August through mid-December.
Qualifications
The applicant should be a recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife discipline or be working towards a degree in a wildlife discipline. All applicants should have a desire to pursue a career in avian research and/or conservation. Applicant must be comfortable viewing birds through binoculars and high-powered scopes, standing and walking outside along long stretches of beach habitat and monitoring from a small boat in Texas bays. Weather conditions vary and may include cold, strong winds, rain and storms, extreme heat, and high humidity – biting insects may be prevalent. Candidate must be able to physically and mentally work in these conditions.
Application Instructions
Send cover letter, resume, 3 references, and unofficial college transcript to: Rebecca Bracken. Application deadline for Jan to mid-May period is November 1, for mid-May to mid-August period is March 1, and for mid-August to mid-December is June 1. Actual internship periods are negotiable to accommodate school or work schedules.