The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society offers a variety of internship opportunities for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Our internships are in Stranding Investigations, Conservation Research, Environmental Education, and Public Relations/Business.
Stranding Investigations Internship
Work with the AMSEAS Field Response Team to conduct stranding investigation efforts, including necropsies for the marine mammals and sea turtles that wash up on our shores.
Specific projects include but are not limited to:
• Response: Support response efforts for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Maintain supplies, equipment, and vehicles needed for response and complete inventories of supplies and samples collected. Join biologists during responses to record data and conduct necropsy examinations on stranded animals.
• Data Entry/Management: Maintain marine mammal and sea turtle data records for AMSEAS and state or federal reporting requirements. Maintain inventory lists of samples collected through necropsy examinations.
• Communications & Outreach: Analyze data associated with responses, strandings, and necropsies. Compile tables and charts of findings for communication purposes. Compare current results to findings from previous years.
Our objectives for students include learning basic methodology of stranding protocol and procedures, gaining practical experience in applying tools and techniques during strandings, developing communication plans to disseminate strandings findings and trends, increasing knowledge of marine mammal and sea turtle anatomy, and gaining experience with a variety of team-member roles during the stranding investigation process.
Conservation Research Internship
Join AMSEAS conservation efforts through a Conservation Research Internship. Conduct beach monitoring events including beach cleanups, cold-stunned sea turtle monitoring, and pinniped (seal) surveys. Work with historic data to help bring a better understanding of the animals and debris found within Long Island's marine habitats.
Specific projects include but are not limited to:
• Pinniped Population Documentation: Work with the team to conduct boat and land-based seal surveys. Observe and record environmental conditions and animals sighted. Take photographs to identify any animals sighted down to the species level.
• GIS/Database Management: Develop a database for storing stranding, survey, and satellite tracking data. Map strandings in real-time for monthly stranding trend reviews and provide the team with regular updates. Map satellite tagged animals and input data from tags into the database.
• Wild Population Surveys: Work with biologists on data collected from aerial, land, and boat-based surveys. Maintain data entry for these surveys, learn about conducting and leading each type of survey, and analyze photographs collected from surveys to count animals and identify natural or human-caused injuries.
• Marine Debris Documentation: Lead two beach cleanups activities per week (one north shore beach and one south shore beach). Educate the public about the dangers of marine debris and review proper data collection techniques. Collect and record data at the cleanups to be compiled for analysis of the amount of debris collected at each location and the difference in items collected between various sites. Create marine debris content to be used on the AMSEAS website and social media platforms.
Our objectives are to train students to successfully monitor the beaches of our local marine environment and collect data to help gain a better understanding of these individual landscapes and their marine inhabitants. Students will also receive training in what to do during marine mammal and sea turtle sightings and strandings. This internship will provide students with firsthand knowledge of the impacts of marine debris on our environment, foster the skills to make quantitative and qualitative analyses of the marine debris specific to individual beaches, and provide experience with inspiring our communities to make a positive impact on the environment.
Environmental Education Internship
Work with the AMSEAS Education Team to engage with community members to promote awareness of the marine environment and its inhabitants, society's impact on the environment, and how to interact with the environment in a positive way. Support outreach efforts by conducting community beach cleanups and educational programs tailored to a variety of ages through this education-based internship.
Specific projects include but are not limited to:
• Leading Educational Presentations: Lead presentations with school groups and community organizations through virtual platforms and in-person programs at schools, libraries, local community centers, and beaches.
• Marine Debris Documentation: Lead beach cleanup activities to educate the public about the dangers of marine debris and review proper data collection techniques. Collect and record data at the cleanups to be compiled for analysis of the amount of debris collected at each location and the difference in items collected between various sites. Create marine debris content to be used on the AMSEAS website and social media platforms.
• Curriculum Development: Create new educational activities to be offered for different age groups. Develop presentations on different environmental topics and connect the lessons shared in the activities to NYS Science Learning Standards.
Our objectives are to provide students with hands-on educational experiences in a variety of settings with a variety of audiences. Students will train to communicate with and teach local communities about our marine environment, the marine mammals and sea turtles inhabiting our waters, the anthropogenic threats that they face, and how we can work together to help create a healthier environment. Students will not only have the opportunity to grow in their ability to educate the public, but will also learn more about our ocean's need for conservation and how to promote marine conservation as a part of our marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response team.
Information about the Public Relations/Business Internship can be found on www.amseas.org/internships.
All internships must be completed for course credit.
More information and application forms can be found at www.amseas.org/internships. To apply, please send completed application form, cover letter, resume, and 3 letters of recommendation (2 from academic sources) to education@amseas.org. Questions can be directed to education@amseas.org. Applications submitted only through Linkedin will not be considered.
We offer fall, spring, and summer internships. Deadlines for each internship are:
Fall Internships: August 1
Spring Internships: November 1
Summer Internships: March 1
Required Qualifications
• Current undergraduate or graduate student
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must be located in commutable distance to Westhampton Beach, New York, United States
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Skills: Attention to detail, active listening, data management critical thinking, independent work, science, environmental research, problem solving, education, public speaking, teamwork
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
Preferred Qualifications
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Proficiency in English
• Interest and/or study in animal science, biology, zoology, marine biology, ecology, conservation, fisheries & wildlife, natural resource management, earth sciences, oceanography, environmental management & sciences
• Experience with ArcGIS and R
