Employment and Internships
at Tall Timbers

Employment Opportunities

None at this time.

Internship Opportunities

Forestry Internships

The Forestry Program at Tall Timbers provides opportunities for current and recently graduated forestry students to gain additional experience and perspective through our internship program. We conduct research on and advocate for the sustainable management of natural upland pine forests here in the Red Hills, and across the broader Southern Coastal Plain. Forestry internships have a duration of up to 3 months.

Duties: Specific tasks will vary depending on active projects and program needs. That said, forestry interns can expect to gain experience in the following areas: forest inventory, ecological forestry practices, experimental design, use of forest growth models, GIS and GPS technologies.

Qualifications: In order to be eligible for these positions applicants should be currently enrolled (or recently graduated) from an institution with a recognized forestry curriculum.

Compensation: A stipend of $175/week and on campus housing is provided.

Application procedure: Mail or email (preferable) a cover letter and up to date resume to: David Ray, Forestry Scientist, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312. Please indicate when you will be available, and the length of time you will be available (3 months maximum).

2009 Northern Bobwhite Research Internships - 3 positions

The Game Bird lab at Tall Timbers Research Station is seeking individuals to participate in our internship program. TTRS is a private non-profit organization focusing research efforts on sustainable management of bobwhite quail, timber, and prescribed fire use. Current game bird research objectives include monitoring demographics on multiple bobwhite populations and assessing quail habitat use in relation to prescribed fire, timber stand characteristics, and supplemental feeding treatments. Another project will include investigating the various imprinting and pen-raising techniques on quail chick survival and productivity. Additionally, small mammal population monitoring and various vegetation sampling projects are being conducted.

Availability:

Quail Telemetry Positions:

• 1 position: Starting in May
• 1 position: Starting in August

Imprinted Chick Project:

• 1 position: Starting in August

Telemetry internship positions will have similar responsibilities which will include:

1. Collect field data (70%) including (but not limited to) bobwhite quail telemetry and trapping, bobwhite chick trapping and banding, small mammal trapping, vegetation surveys, and gis/gps mapping;
2. Data entry (20%) in Microsoft Access and ArcGIS
3. Other duties as assigned (10%)

Imprinted chick project responsibilities include:

1. Daily care of penned adult quail, chicks, and eggs (30%)
2. Maintenance of all pens and equipment including incubators (30%)
3. Chick banding and release (10%)
4. Assistance with other projects and other duties assigned (30%)

Applicants are encouraged to apply for August positions, which have much fewer applicants and an improved chance for acceptance.

Additionally, applicants should submit materials early for all positions, which are open until filled. Internship positions are 12-16 weeks in length, start and end dates are flexible.

Qualifications: Applicants should be working toward a B.S. in wildlife ecology or related field. Consideration will also be given to recently graduated individuals interested in gaining more field experience. Previous fieldwork and computer experience is beneficial, but not required. Individuals need a valid driver's license and must have a good driving record.

Compensation: Internship stipend is $195/week ($780/month). Housing and utilities are provided at no cost. Hunting and fishing privileges on our properties are included.

To apply, please send a cover letter clearly stating your research interests, career goals, which position you are applying for, and the earliest and latest dates available to work. Also, include your resume and a minimum of three references (please state their relationship to you).

Shane Wellendorf
Tall Timbers Research Station
13093 Henry Beadel Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32312
shanew@ttrs.org (Electronic submissions/inquires encouraged, preferably in MS word or in body of message)

Vertebrate Ecology Program Internships

Grad student Clark Jones (l) and summer interns Emily Toriani and Emily Pipher processing a netted Bachman’s Sparrow.

The Vertebrate Ecology lab can help you gain valuable field experience. Current research projects include monitoring the Red Hills population of the endangered Red‑cockaded Woodpecker, assessing the effects of prescribed burning on populations of Bachman’s Sparrows, understanding the cooperative breeding system of the Brown‑headed Nuthatch, monitoring Gopher Tortoise populations, snag inventory on an old‑growth pine forest, and investigating avian community composition and productivity along a gradient from old field pine to undisturbed longleaf pine forests. Internships typically are awarded by mid-February, so applications should be submitted by Jan 15 of each year.  The number of interns varies from year to year, so contact Jim Cox (contact info below) for more specific information.

Duties: Interns help mist-net birds, conduct nest searches, monitor color‑banded individuals, assist with with banding Red‑cockaded Woodpeckers, collect vegetation sampling, perform GPS/GIS mapping, and assist with prescribed burning.

All interns are highly encouraged to complete a research project. Research projects include development of study hypotheses, collecting and analyzing field data.

Recent intern Kelly Heffernan with an Indigo Bunting netted on the Wade Tract.

Some examples of intern research project topics include:

• Response of Bachman’s Sparrows to different vocalizations
• Home range and movements of Brown‑headed Nuthatches
• Snag inventory and use in an old growth pine forest
• Gopher tortoise inventory

Internship positions are 10 weeks in length and typically take place in summer; however some internships may be available at other times.

Qualifications: Applicants should be working toward a B.S. in ecology or related field. Consideration will also be given to recently graduated individuals interested in gaining more field experience. Previous fieldwork and computer experience is beneficial, but not required. Individuals need a valid driver's license and must have a good driving record.

Compensation: Internship stipend is $225/week ($2250 total). Housing and utilities are provided at no cost. To apply, please send a cover letter clearly stating your research interests and the earliest and latest dates available to work. Also, include your resume and a minimum of three references to:

Jim Cox
Tall Timbers Research Station
13093 Henry Beadel Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32312
jim@ttrs.org (Electronic submissions/inquires encouraged, preferably in MS word)