Deadline to Apply: Monday, August 3, 2020, 8:00am

Organization: Archbold Biological Station

Address: Venus, FL, United States

Job Category: Internship

Job Type: Full-time

Job Description:

Archbold Biological Station, in Venus, FL, is hiring for an 11-month long environmental education internship. Responsibilities include: helping lead (virtual) elementary school programs, tabling community events, assisting with program evaluations, and animal care (snakes). The intern also develops, facilitates, and evaluates their own e-learning project. The intern receives mentoring and NAAEE conference registration.

Internship Period: 43 weeks, Sept 28, 2020 – July 23, 2021

Last Date to Apply: 8/3/2020 or until filled

Accommodations: Lodgings provided: dormitory style with roommates

Compensation: $210 per week, plus lodging and weekday lunch provided

Hours: 30 hours/week, sometimes weekends

Overview:

Join our education team and make a positive difference by communicating science and fostering a sense of place for children and adults in the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades. The Jill Abrahamson Memorial Environmental Education Internship at Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida is designed with a focus on professional development through skill building, professional experiences, mentorship, and participation in environmental education conferences.

In the era of COVID-19, we are re-thinking our programs, learning new skills, and moving to remote learning offerings. We don’t know when we will return to offering in-person programs, but this internship covers both the coming school year and the 2021 summer camp season. Responsibilities may change due to the virus, but are expected to include: helping lead virtual) elementary school programs, working outreach booths at community events, assisting with program evaluations, and animal care (snakes). The intern will also focus on developing, facilitating, and evaluating their own e-learning project. The intern also has access to our private nature preserve and lake, the chance to accompany ecologists into the field (not currently available), and to work on prescribed fires.

Archbold Biological Station is an independent not-for profit biological research facility founded in 1941 by Richard Archbold. The Station conducts and promotes long-term ecological research and conservation, and has a strong commitment to education. The work at the Station emphasizes the unique biological communities of the Lake Wales Ridge, part of the Northern Everglades watershed, and one of the most distinctive and endangered biotic regions of Florida. For more information, please visit our website at www.archbold-station.org. 

Qualifications:

- College degree, preferably with experience in wildlife biology, natural resources, ecology, environmental education, or other related fields

- Comfortable working outdoors in the Florida heat, alongside biting insects, mosquitoes, and ticks

- Strong interpersonal communication and computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel, Power Point)

- Spanish language skills a plus

- Able to lift up to 40 lbs.

- First Aid and CPR certification is desirable

- Possess valid drivers’ license with good driving record as determined by Archbold’s insurance carrier.

- Criminal background check using fingerprinting is required

To Apply:

Email the Director of Education, Dustin Angell, a cover letter, resume, and emails for at least two contacts for reference at dangell@archbold-station.org

Central/South Trail Program Manager, Jenna Taylor, writes:

Florida is home to over 500 invasive species that impact both our waters and lands. The University of Florida is asking for help in tracking these invasive species throughout Florida.

The UF Invasive Species Program focuses on educating the public, collecting data on the spread and impact of invasives, and coordinating efforts for safe and effective removal. They encourage individuals to get involved in the following ways:

1.) Use the IveGot1 app- Developed through a collaborative agreement with the National Parks Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida to report invasives. The aim is to better assess the extent of the infestations and hopefully eradicate new infestations before they become a problem. It also allows researchers to seek out outliers, a species popping up where it has never been before, so it can be addressed quickly before further spreading. The app is easy to use and allows a hiker to upload a gps location, description and photo. Hikers may also call 1-888-IveGot.

2.) Get involved with a local IFAS Invasive Program- Every county in Florida hosts a local UF IFAS Extension office where they tackle statewide issues at the local level.

3.) PlayCleanGo - This campaign focuses on reminding hikers and visitors of natural lands to always remember to clean gear,clothing and pets when moving from one location to another to prevent transfer of invasives. Long distance spread can place an invasive into a new environment without natural enemies where the aggressive species can rapidly take over.

As you return to the Trail, keep these simple opportunities in mind to help protect Florida’s native ecosystem. Everyone can play a role in the prevention and eradication of invasive species along the Florida Trail!

15 Strategies for Communicating Science and Data to Non-Scientists:

Learn how to engage your audience and design effective PowerPoint slides

AUGUST 20, 2020

Do you speak at conferences, public meetings, or other events where you need to convey a specific message? Have you ever felt like you couldn’t quite hold the attention of your audience members? Would you like to learn a simpler, more effective way to design your slides? Join presentation coach and trainer, Cathy Angell, for a fast-paced and entertaining class that will show you how to:

• Present visuals that have impact
• Deliver data in a way that sticks in people’s brains
• Transform the way you do PowerPoint

More Information

Register Here

August 6, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT

Join us to understand how scientific research and community volunteers have increased protection for nesting shorebirds in Southwest Florida.

During this one-hour webinar you will have the opportunity to ask live questions of the presenters. Presentations will cover:

• How shorebirds are protected by the award winning volunteer group Team OCEAN
• What a critical wildlife area is and how they are established in Florida
• How long-term monitoring was key to influence policy change

Learn more!

Hi, LEEFers:

We want to personally reach out and let you know that we're thinking of you throughout the COVID-19 crisis.  Even though we may no longer be able to meet in person, we're still doing all we can to provide value to our members.

In July, there's a great opportunity to participate in LEEF's new virtual book club and become familiar with the memoir of plant scientist and researcher Hope Jahren.

"In this enthralling memoir, Hope Jahren—a professor of geobiology at the University of Hawaii—combines a celebration of scientific curiosity, a detailed account of what it’s like to be a working research scientist, and a surprisingly moving personal story of friendship in unexpected places."

• You are encouraged to join LEEF's book club.  
• Registration will be limited so register now.
• Meetings will be held in the evening from 7:30-8:15 on Tuesday evenings via Zoom.
• In July, the dates are July 14, 21, and 28.
• Best of all--the first 10 who register will receive a free Kindle download of Lab Girl!
• Other participants may order this bestselling book in digital or hardback from several different vendors at a reasonable price.
• Together we will select the next book to read for August.

This is a difficult time for all of us, but you're not alone: we're committed to helping you feel connected during our forced pandemic separation.

Application Window: May 25th - June 29th, 2020

Notification of Acceptance: July 20th, 2020

 

Start Date: September 7th, 2020

End Date: December 19th, 2020

Position Start Date:

Monday, September 7, 2020

Job Duration:

Temporary

How to Apply:

To apply: please go to the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crfintern(link is external)

Job Compensation:

Stipend

Compensation Information:

Interns are given a moderate monthly stipend.

Contact Name:

JD Reinbott

Contact Phone:

(305) 453-0730

Contact Email:

jd@coralrestoration.org

Interns can expect to gain a vast amount of experience both on the water and in our Education Center (EC). In the EC, interns will learn a range of tasks including answering phones, greeting and engaging visitors, processing field data, and performing aquarium maintenance. Additionally, interns will have opportunities to work closely with CRF staff members on a variety of projects related to conservation and non-profit administration. Diving takes place 1-4* times per week, with interns assisting CRF staff and volunteers in the management of CRF’s offshore coral nurseries, the out-planting of coral colonies, and the monitoring of reefs throughout the Florida Keys. Interns will also play a crucial role as the team leaders for the groups of recreational divers that participate in CRF’s dive programs throughout the year. On these programs, interns will be expected to lead divers of varying skill levels through basic nursery and out-planting tasks. Interns are also asked to present to the community on several occasions, assist at outreach events, and participate in important discussions within the foundation. Internship positions generally last four months and are full-time positions (40hrs/wk).

*Diving is weather dependent, and can cause fluctuation in days on the water, sometimes resulting in weeks where there is zero water time.

For more information, click here.

Jennifer Macbeth is an Instructor II in the Department of Integrated Studies. Ms. Macbeth was recently highlighted as a Course Hero for her work in promoting sustainable eating with an innovative Food Footprint Portfolio project in her course, Beans and Bugs: Impacts and Solutions in Food Production.  The primary goals of her teaching philosophy are to enhance environmental awareness, create service-oriented citizens and develop student's ability to critically analyze information and communicate it effectively. She uses high impact practices and skillfully integrated technology to enhance student's critical thinking, understanding of content, and brings magic back into learning for all of her students. 

Read more about Ms. Macbeth’s creative Food Footprint Portfolio in Course Hero.

LEEF Mini Grant Program

LEEF's mission is to advance environmental literacy and promote stewardship through excellence in environmental education. None of that is possible without educators who are empowered with the resources and tools that they need so we're here to help with the LEEF Mini Grant Program.

The LEEF Mini Grant Program was established to promote environmental education and conservation through projects of formal and non-formal educators and organizations. Members, both individuals and organizations, are invited to submit grant proposals for consideration.

Please note that the LEEF Mini Grant is limited to no more than $750 and applicants must have been LEEF Members for at least one year. A project summary report and poster presentation at the 2021 LEEF Conference is required of recipients. For all details and requirements, please review the "LEEF Mini Grant Guidelines".

If you would like to apply for this wonderful opportunity, please complete this application. You will also need to complete this Project Budget form and email it to director@leef-florida.org no later than June 30, 2020.

The 2020 Florida Envirothon was done a little differently this year due to COVID-19. We, the board of the Florida Envirothon, decided that high school students were missing out on too much this year due to the home sequestering and social distancing. We also all agreed that the environmental competition is valuable enough for us to step out of our comfort zones and go digital! For many of us, learning how to take an in-person competition that has been going on for over 20 years and turn it into an online competition took a lot of time, ingenuity and a fast learning curve, but we knew it was worth it. The 10 teams that competed were very thankful – especially the handful of seniors that have competed all four years in high school and didn’t want to miss out on their last year. We also received comments of how great it was to have some normalcy in their lives – even though it was done so differently. All in all, it was a better turnout than we expected on such short notice. The advisers/teachers that helped make this happen for their students really need to be commended. They had to not only step up to the plate with their everyday classwork, but also work with us on the logistics of the online version of the Florida Envirothon. To all you teachers going above and beyond – you are amazing!!! Teams first had to compete in their regional events – thank goodness most were done before the statewide shutdown. The winning teams from the participating counties were able to compete in the state-wide event. Normally the winning team would represent Florida at the NCF international Envirothon in July/August, but they weren’t sure of what would be happening with COVID-19 and decided to cancel this year’s week-long event. Here are counties and teams that participated along with any awards they won.

Duval – Banana Men – Current Issue topic awardees

Indian River – The Carsonites – Aquatic Biology topic awardees

Lee – Force of Nature

Manatee – The Green Gang – Soil & Land Use topic awardees

Miami-Dade – Symbiants – 3rd Place Winners

Pasco – The Green Party – Wildlife topic awardees

Sarasota – Demetrios – Oral Presentation awardees

Union – Hexcellence – Forestry topic awardees

Volusia – Advancing Glaciers – 1st Place Winners (reining champs two years in a row!)

One county is not allowed to be mentioned, but they did win 2nd place!

All participants were mailed participation certificates. Teams that won an award were mailed certificates for their achievements along with 1st place receiving a $200 check, 2nd place a $150 check and 3rd place a $100 check. All participants were also mailed a special Gone Digital theme t-shirt for participating in this year’s competition. We also couldn’t have done it without the volunteers. Although it wasn’t done in-person and we didn’t need as many volunteers as usual, we still needed help in grading tests and scoring the oral presentations. Some of the slide presentations were phenomenal! The board members’ organizations that make this event possible are Science Eye, Environmental Conservation Organization, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Forest Service, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, retired Soil & Water Conservation. The volunteers were from Jacksonville Museum of Science and History, South Florida Water Management District, Manatee County Government/Ag and Extension Service/partnering with NRCS, University of Miami – RSMAS, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. It may not have been an ideal situation, but it was a great experience, wonderful turnout and an uplifting event under the circumstances. Congratulations to all who participated for another event well done!

For more information on the Florida Envirothon and how you can create a team for your high school students to participate at a regional event, go to www.flenvirothon.com.

Written by Dawn Miller-Walker, Florida Envirothon President

Sharing job opportunities with our community:

Daggerwing Nature Center, Green Cay Nature Center, and Okeeheelee Nature Center

Three (3) ASSISTANT NATURALIST POSITIONS – part time, ~20 hrs/wk (variable work schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays) $11.85/hr

DUTIES INCLUDE:

Assisting with planning, implementing and evaluating nature based and indoor/outdoor recreational programs, environmental/historical/cultural educational programs and community events. Conducts educational programs both indoor and outdoor; provides facility coverage for rentals, user groups, and partner groups. Assist with animal care, daily facility operations and maintenance of the facility, trails and boardwalks depending upon assigned areas. Work is performed with considerable independence within the scope of departmental rules, regulations and program policy.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Florida Driver’s License. Graduation from high school or an equivalent certification, experience planning and implementing outdoor recreational/nature related activities and programs.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must obtain First Aid / Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training within six (6) months of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience handling and caring for native and/or exotic wildlife; Experience working with volunteers; Experience assisting with teaching science/environmental education programs; Customer service experience; Experience participating in outdoor recreational programs/activities.

If interested in these positions, please submit your resume and preferred nature center location to:

Bobby Seals

Email: bseals@pbcgov.org

Fax: (561) 496-4369

Resumes will be accepted until the positions are filled.