Agroecology Research Intern - Research Internships in Range Management
Internship • Buck Island Ranch
Benefits:
- Personal Time Off
- Expense Stipend ($245 bi-wkly)
Summary/Objective
The goals of Archbold’s Internship Program are to train students to develop independent research skills and to foster professional interactions between Interns and (a) their supervisor, (b) resident staff and visiting scientists, and (c) other Interns.
The internship will be located at Buck Island Ranch, an operational cattle ranch and an experimental field station, with a heavy focus on applied ecology. We are thinking both locally and globally. Archbold Biological Station and its partner site University of Florida Range Cattle Research Center (UF RCREC) are part of the Long-term Agroecosystem Research Network (LTAR https://ltar.ars.usda.gov ), a network of 19 agroecosystems across the United States that seek to address the grand challenge of maintaining multiple ecosystem services in food production systems.
The internship will be located at Buck Island Ranch, an operational cattle ranch and an experimental field station, with a heavy focus on applied ecology. We are thinking both locally and globally. Archbold Biological Station and its partner site University of Florida Range Cattle Research Center (UF RCREC) are part of the Long-term Agroecosystem Research Network (LTAR https://ltar.ars.usda.gov ), a network of 19 agroecosystems across the United States that seek to address the grand challenge of maintaining multiple ecosystem services in food production systems.
Interns will:
- Get the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including wetland restoration and management, precipitation manipulation to simulate the effects of climate change, and water retention on ranchlands.
- Experience life on a cattle ranch in a collaborative environment
- Assist with our different research projects (see our two documentaries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6_WhY3aZB0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGV_G6dnYHg).
- Dedicate remaining time to designing and implementing an independent research project that fits within our research program, with a report and a presentation at the end of internship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Average 20 hours per week on assigned duties (depending on needs of Research Program) while being mentored by Research Program Director or someone designated by Research Program Director.
- Assigned duties may include field and/or laboratory work, data collection and entry, statistical analyses, literature reviews, curation of collections, participating in education-related events, and training other lab members
- Present a research Seminar at the end of the internship based on independent research project.
- Submit a final copy of the research report to the Research Program Director and the Librarian in both electronic and hard copy at the end of the internship.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Design and implement an independent research project that fits within the research program, with basic research materials provided.
- Gather weekend and holiday weather or other Station/Ranch data collection upon request
- Assist with unanticipated Station/Ranch issues, such as helping during adverse weather occurrences, reporting power outages and fires, and providing guidance to visitors requesting assistance during off hours
- Assist with reasonable requests from maintenance, kitchen, housekeeping, and facilities staff, etc.
Work Environment - The incumbent must be able to work in conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity. The incumbent will also work in an office environment, and routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors and fax machines. The incumbent may occasionally work in a laboratory setting with possible exposure to potentially hazardous materials and is required to wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment when handling these materials.
Physical Demands - The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time; and occasionally required to lift, push and pull items up to 50 pounds; climb stairs; reach stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work - An incumbent in this position generally works an average of 20 hours per week, typically but not always Monday through Friday on assigned duties. Early morning, evening and weekend hours may be required with little or no notice. Incumbents will also spend an average of 20 hours per week on an independent research project.
Travel - Incumbents may occasionally travel to field sites or to Archbold Biological Station for seminars.
Required Education and Experience
- Recent graduate with Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree required
Competencies and Additional Eligibility Qualifications
- An understanding of and commitment to the Archbold mission
- Ability to work extended periods independently and with initiative under minimal supervision
- Ability to perform assigned tasks with accuracy and attention to detail
- Familiarity with a scientific discipline and procedures
- Possess valid drivers’ license with good driving record as determined by Archbold’s insurance carrier.
Archbold is an equal opportunity employer. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected status. Archbold will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and stands proud of its collaborative culture.
Archbold's mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida, and beyond. Archbold’s footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast, open ranchlands of Central Florida; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts, touching the lives of millions of Floridians. Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders as ecosystems: as complex networks shaped by measurable natural processes. Our dozens of research sites encompass the pristine sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge; the ranchlands and wetlands that make up much of Central Florida; and the rivers that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and beyond.
Today Archbold stewards a rich mosaic of natural habitats, native ecosystems, working lands, and historic buildings at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. The Station and the Ranch serve as the place-based crucible for our innovative science, conservation, and education programs. These draw from a long, deep history, dating back from our beginnings, founded by Richard Archbold in 1941.
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