Internship available for WDFW Western Pond Turtle Recovery Effort
Duration: 7 weeks – 25 May to 13 July 2011, up to 20 hours per week
Western pond turtles are a state endangered species and the only native turtle in Puget Sound. The selected intern will assist with conservation and recovery efforts of Western Pond Turtles at a recovery site in Lakewood, WA, primarily telemetry tracking of adult female pond turtles during the nesting season in order to locate and protect nests until hatching. Turtles are located every two hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and potentially extend monitoring into late evening. Credit will be given in Wildlife Management and Conservation. Mileage stipend (up to 60 miles round trip) will be provided. The selected intern will be subject to all WDFW rules and policies.
Duties:
- Assist with telemetry tracking of adult western pond turtles
- Assist with excavation of nest chambers and placing data loggers with care
- Assist with restoration of nesting hill and surrounding habitat
- Assist with placing nest exclosure cages and field marking
- Assist with minor fence repairs
- Assist with other duties as needed
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for care and maintenance of telemetry equipment
- Responsible for care and maintenance of binoculars, scopes, tripods
- Responsible for care and maintenance of electronic data loggers
- Responsible for taking detailed field notes
Qualifications:
- Must be enrolled in an internship program at a Washington state college
- Knowledge of radio telemetry theory and techniques
- Experience using radio telemetry equipment preferred
- Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs
Competencies:
- Must be reliable, punctual and patient
- Ability to communicate effectively with other observers and supervisor
- Ability to work efficiently without supervision and follow direction
- Ability to complete all tasks to satisfaction without error in time allotted
- Ability to stand, sit, or bend for long periods
- Ability to walk on uneven and brushy terrain in adverse weather conditions
- Ability to operate a variety of small hand tools
- Ability to maintain organization, communication and manage time efficiently
- Ability to be flexible and outgoing because turtles are not concerned with your schedule
Contact: Tammy Schmidt, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
7801 Phillips Rd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
July 30, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Hi Tammy!
Thank you for the fine work U R doing with turtles in Lakewood.
I cannot volunteer at this time, but I’d like to know where I can
catch WA. Tree Frog TADPOLES to nurture in my backyard pond.
I live very near you; I am at Agate & 78th Ave. SW.
Thank you again,
Chuck Polance
Tel# 588-8288