Employment and Internships
at Tall Timbers

Employment Opportunities

None at this time.

Internship Opportunities

2010 Northern Bobwhite Research Internships - 5 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 the bobwhite population here at TTRS and assessing quail habitat use in relation to prescribed fire, timber stand characteristics, and movement patterns in relation to 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 also being conducted.

Availability:

Quail Telemetry Positions:

• 1 position: Starting in late-April or early-May
• 1 position: Starting in early-August

Telemetry internship positions responsibilities 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%)

Bobwhite whistle-count survey:

• 1 position: Starting in mid-April

Bobwhite whistle-count survey responsibilities include:

1. Collect field data associated with monitoring the whistling rates of radio-tagged male bobwhites (60%)
2. Data entry (20%) in Microsoft Access and ArcGIS
3. Assistance with other projects including bobwhite chick trapping and banding, telemetry, vegetation surveys and other duties assigned (20%)

Imprinted Chick Project:

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

Imprinted chick project responsibilities include:

1. Assist with hen/chick imprinting procedures (10%)
2. Daily care of penned adult quail, chicks, and eggs (25%)
3. Maintenance of all pens and equipment including incubators (10%)
4. Chick banding and release (5%)
5. Assistance with other projects, including telemetry, and other duties assigned (50%)

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 may be 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)