REEF’s Marine Conservation Internship provides an in-depth look into non-profit operations and marine conservation programs. The internship is geared to college-age individuals (Juniors, Seniors, recent graduates & graduate students) and provides diverse experiences through REEF’s marine conservation programs and opportunities to participate in the programs of REEF’s partners. During the internship you’ll have many opportunities to dive and volunteer with partner organizations, as well as implement community outreach/education programs focused on reef fish identification and lionfish handling/collection. Please explore the information below for details and application instructions.

About the Internship

REEF is now accepting applications for the Fall 2013 internship.

Application deadline is June 30, 2013.

Oceans of Opportunity - A REEF Intern's Experience!

Location: REEF Headquarters in Key Largo, FL.

Time Commitment: This internship is a full time position, typically four months in length.  Each week interns are encouraged to spend a half day diving (at no cost with one of REEF’s participating field stations) and a half to full day volunteering with another environmental organization.

Housing:  REEF provides a furnished house during the internship and covers a portion of the cost. Each intern contributes $300 each month toward the cost of housing. This amount includes all utilities and high speed internet. Details of housing and cost vary by semester. This is an unpaid position.


Dates of Position (see bottom of page for application deadlines):

• Spring Semester: January - May
• Summer Semester: May - AugustInterns diving
• Fall Semester: August - December

*Start and end dates are somewhat flexible depending on University schedules and other school or work commitments.

Supervisor: Martha Klitzkie - General Manager

Internship Description:Surveying

REEF is a nonprofit education and data gathering organization focused on training volunteer divers and snorkelers in fish identification and fish survey methodologies. Interns can expect to be exposed to a wide range of environmental nonprofit activities. These will include: handling incoming data forms, computer data entry, helping to write and layout newsletters and flyers, packaging orders, answering phone calls and e-mails, and working with members of the public that come into the REEF office for information. Interns will also take part in the numerous courses and seminars conducted by REEF including the Project AWARE Fish Identification Specialties, the Great Annual Fish Count, and other REEF marine life talks.

Interns are encouraged to implement individual projects related to their areas of interest. In addition, they are presented with opportunities to volunteer with other local environmental organizations. Past intern projects have related to biological assessment fieldwork and data analysis, community education and outreach, language translations of REEF materials, writing, artwork, and GIS mapping.

Duties:

• Assist with exotic species reports, data management of lionfish sightings/ captures, and lionfish data collection/ dissections
• Assist with invasive lionfish education, outreach, and control programs
• Respond to phone, e-mail and in-person information requests
• Conduct seminars for local and visiting school and dive groups
• Conduct Fish Survey dives to gather sighting information
• Write occasional articles for the website, newsletters, and press releases
• Other tasks as needed

Benefits:

• Exposure to different non-profit educational and environmental organizations
• Experience in local Florida and Caribbean fish identification, monitoring protocols, procedures, and data management
• Experience with invasive species monitoring, research, outreach, and control programs
• Opportunities to teach others about the marine environment
• College credit, if appropriate
• Letters of recommendation provided upon successful completion of the internship
• Treated as if you’re a full time employee, so you’re given important tasks and take on diverse responsibilities
• Opportunities to dive

Certification Required: Basic Open Water SCUBA

Qualifications:

• Interns must be current on their SCUBA diving skills and provide their own diving equipment. Experience in ocean and boat diving is preferred.
• Transportation while living in Key Largo is required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is necessary.
• Excellent people and communication skills required. We work with the general public on a continual basis.
• Enthusiasm to teach and instill a connection to the marine environment with a wide array of people.

Equipment to be Supplied by Intern: Reliable transportation. Full SCUBA equipment.

Applying

Contact:  Martha Klitzkie - General Manager - PO Box 246 Key Largo, FL 33037 (305) 852-0030, martha@reef.org


To apply:  Send the following to REEF's General Manager, Martha Klitzkie. email: martha@reef.orgor mail: P.O. Box 246, Key Largo, FL USA 33037

• your resume
• a cover letter outlining why you are interested in working with REEF and previous experience(s) that make you a strong candidate for the Marine Conservation Internship
• a letter of reference from at least 1 previous or current professor, supervisor, or other non-related individuals with whom you have worked or studied for a significant period of time

Deadlines:  Fall:  Applications must be received by June 30th.  Spring: Application must be received by October 15th.  Summer: Application must be received by March 15th (*January 31st if you are applying for the funded REEF internship through Our World Underwater Scholarship Society, see below). Candidates will be notified within 3-4 weeks of the application deadline of the semester for which they apply.

Our World Underwater/ REEF Internship Opportunity - Summer of 2013

Each year, Our World Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) supports 5 summer internships, one of them being with REEF in Key Largo.  Through this exceptional opportunity OWUSS provides a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and living expenses during the internship. 

Please visit the OWUSS website for more information and to apply:  http://www.owuscholarship.org/internships/current.aspx  It is possible to apply for both the OWUSS/REEF internship and the REEF marine conservation internship so that you can be considered for the REEF unpaid internship in the case that you are not selected for the OWUSS/REEF internship. 

Application Deadline:  January 31st, 2013 for Summer 2013 Scholarship

Click here for bios of our current and past REEF interns!

Click here to view photos of our internship.