California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Region
Kelp Restoration and Marine Algae Management Internship
Host: The mission of the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. The State Managed Finfish and Nearshore Ecosystem Program is responsible for the statewide management of California’s nearshore kelp and other marine algal resources, including commercial and recreational harvesting, recovery and restoration, and monitoring and research activities to sustainably manage these important habitat-forming species.
Location: Santa Rosa (map)
Format: In-person. Interns must be able to participate in a combination of single-day and multi-day trips to conduct field work.
Internship Dates: June 3 - August 16, 2024
Stipend: $8,000
Time Commitment: The internship is a full time, 11-week commitment. Hours may occasionally include long days in the field (10-12 hours) and weekend days. Over the 11 weeks, the intern may take up to five days off for personal reasons, vacation, or illness. If participation is less than 100%, the stipend will be prorated.
Position Description and Responsibilities: Two (2) internships are available working with CDFW scientists at the Santa Rosa office to support the development of a statewide Kelp Restoration and Management Plan and conduct research on kelp forest ecosystems and other marine algae to inform resource management and restoration. Interns will directly assist with regular field-based research, including:
- Implementation of scientific survey protocols;
- Collection of sample specimens;
- Preparation and organization of sampling equipment.
Interns will also have the opportunity to conduct laboratory-based work to sample and process sea urchin, kelp, and other marine algae specimens.
Interns will work closely with CDFW scientists to practice safe and efficient shore and boat-based fieldwork, which may include scientific diving and occasional lifting of heavy scuba and research gear. Other tasks include:
- Literature reviews and summarizing information;
- Attending and supporting meetings, including supporting the regulatory review process;
- Data entry, database management and quality control, and data analysis using various computer applications.
Interns will be required to draft detailed meeting, field, and laboratory notes and to assist in the preparation of materials for research presentations and reports. This position may allow interns the opportunity to take a leadership role in an ongoing project relevant to kelp ecosystem management and/or restoration.
Preferred Experience and Capabilities: Familiarity with basic biological, ecological, and scientific principles. Experience with marine taxonomy or a willingness to learn marine species identification is desired. Ability to follow detailed instructions and collect scientific data in a variety of settings. Experienced with MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint. AAUS scientific diver certification is desired but not required.
Skills Gained: Interns will gain an understanding of how kelp and marine algae resources are managed and how scientific data are used to inform kelp restoration and management in California. Interns will become familiar with collaborative kelp research and restoration projects being conducted in California and may have the opportunity to work with other state, federal, university, and NGO agencies. In addition to gaining field and lab experience, interns will learn the importance of working with a research team to strike a balance between task loading and efficiency, all while maintaining maximum situational awareness and field safety. Additionally, interns will learn about the data management process and gain experience with data visualization in a management context.
Eligibility/Requirements: Interns must be able to work at the Santa Rosa Field office daily and be willing to travel and conduct multi-day field trips. Travel may be required aboard research vessels to execute this project. Interns must be able to lift 50 pounds and must be able to swim. Must have strong communication and organization skills and attention to detail. Interns must be able to work independently, maintain positive interactions in a team environment, and interface with the public in a professional manner. Applicants are also subject to general eligibility requirements.
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