Environmental Science INTERN
Summer Position Available
 
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center (PWEC) is offering a unique internship opportunity.  Gain hands-on experience while making substantial contributions to the environmental health of the Chesapeake Bay.  We are actively recruiting for a college student majoring in Biology, Environmental Science, Fishery Science, Marine Biology, or related field who is ready for a ‘resume-builder’ opportunity. PWEC is located in the heart of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay on Tilghman’s Island, Maryland.  The intern will work in direct contact with experienced environmental scientists, marine biologists and education staff. The position will run May through August, with negotiable start and end dates. Housing may be available.
 
Areas of responsibility will include working with PWEC staff in key areas of their Bay animals and wetland plants exhibits program. Responsibilities include aquarium and fish maintenance, fish food preparation, assisting in maintaining the collection of species for exhibit in our Center and “Fishmobile”, and assisting with “Fishmobile” deployment to schools and events. The intern will become familiar with the mission of the Center in order to articulate and promote it to our youth and adult visitors.  
 
The ideal candidate would be available at least 20 hours a week and possess a personal interest in the marine environment and health of the Chesapeake Bay. The ability to work independently as well as with a team and excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required. Applicants must be willing to work hours beyond the standard 8-hour day on occasion, and perform basic mechanical work associated with aquarium systems. Fundamental understanding of laboratory mathematics is desirable.
 
Phillips Wharf Environment Center, www.pwec.org, was created to provide a hands-on experience, especially for children, with the many species of marine life, animals and plants that live in the Chesapeake Bay. The Center offers live exhibits, waterside activities, aquarium displays tours, and field trips. Its mission is to inform, inspire and involve those who live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to take action on its behalf. In addition to learning about the environment and ecosystem, visitors also gain an in-depth understanding about how the watermen harvest Bay resources.
 
For more information on this internship opportunity, please forward your resume  and a cover letter to:
 
Kelley Cox
Executive Director
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center
PO Box 122
Tilghman, Maryland 21671
[log in to unmask] 
www.pwec.org
Cherish the Chesapeake Inform, Inspire, Involve

2012 Summer Internships
 
Aquarist Intern
Duties:
Daily:
1)         Fish diet preparation – Shuck frozen or fresh razor clams.  Puree in blender.  Place puree in ice-cube trays & freeze.  Prepare proper labels with contents & date and pack frozen cubes in bags freezer bags.
2)         Fish and invertebrate diet preparation – Properly apportion and thaw brine shrimp.
3)         Turtle diet preparation
4)         Fish & invertebrate feeding – Provide proper portions of food, including fresh, frozen, dry, or live foods, to fish, crabs, and other invertebrates according to instruction.  Inspect tanks to ensure all food is eaten and remove uneaten portions as required.
5)         Turtle feeding - Provide proper portions of food, including fresh, frozen, dry, or live foods, to turtles.  Inspect tanks to ensure all food is eaten and remove uneaten portions as required.
6)         External aquarium cleaning – Using designated cleaning supplies and according to instruction, clean exterior surfaces of display and husbandry aquarium tanks.
7)         Aquarium inspection – Inspect animals for poor health and signs of distress.  Notify PWEC staff of any animals in poor condition.  Remove dead animals from aquaria, and preserve or dispose of per instruction.
 
Twice weekly:
7)         Interior aquarium cleaning – Using designated cleaning equipment, scrub interior surfaces free of algae growth, clean filters, and vacuum aquaria (including undergravel filters where present).  Re-fill aquaria with water from appropriate source (ambient Bay water, treated fresh water, artificial seawater of correct salinity).  Inspect all tanks for proper salinity using YSI salinity meters.
8)         Flow-through tank cleaning - Using designated cleaning equipment, scrub interior surfaces and standpipes, and drain and re-fill tanks, ensuring drain pipes do not clog, animals do not escape, and water flow is restored correctly after cleaning.
 
As required:
9)         Receive live animals from watermen.  Determine salinity requirements of specimens and prepare acclimation aquaria by mixing ambient or artificial seawater to achieve correct salinity.
10)       Assist with specimen collection using seines, traps, and trawls aboard PWEC vessels or with cooperating watermen.

Fishmobile Support
Duties:
1)         Docent / Interpreter:  Assist with events and classroom visits to introduce children and adults to the animals aboard the Fishmobile.  Present learning activities as required.  Provide natural history, life cycle, ecology, economic value, and status information to visitors.  Monitor touch tanks and guide visitors in handling specimens while protecting the welfare of the animals being handled.  Requires weekends and long (8+ hour) days.
 
2)         Assist with setting up the Fishmobile at site visits.  Transfer live animals between aquaria and transport tanks; transfer water using submersible pumps; rig aquarium pumps, filters and lights; test water for proper temperature and salinity.  Assist Fishmobile Manager with cleaning the Fishmobile after site visits.  Vacuum carpet.  Clean exterior and interior surfaces of aquaria and touch tanks using designated cleaning supplies and equipment.  Clean and store pumps and filters.  Clean and dry aquarium shelves.  Store interpretive signs.  Replenish literature.
 
 
Center Docent
Duties:
1)         Docent / Interpreter:  Introduce adult and youth visitors to the animals and aquatic plants resident at the Center.  Provide natural history, life cycle, ecology, economic value, and status information.  Present learning activities as required.  Monitor touch tanks and guide visitors handling specimens while protecting the welfare of the animals being handled.  Collect daily water quality data using YSI meter and record data in Center logbook.  Operate cash register in retail center.
 
 
Additional projects available as part of all internships
HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) Monitoring
Duties:           
1)         Collect a standard phytoplankton sample at the PWEC dock. 
2)         Collect concurrent water quality data using a water quality meter and secchi disk. 
3)         Prepare and examine a live subsample microscopically, and identify types of phytoplankton present, using provided keys. 
4)         Record results in laboratory notebooks and on standard data forms. 
5)         Preserve and document samples as required per written protocols. 
6)         Properly clean and store microscope after each use.
        
Oyster Disease Monitoring
Duties:           
1)         Collect a standard sample of oysters from cages at set locations. 
2)         Prepare tubes of culture media using aseptic technique. 
3)         Measure individual oysters, shuck, dissect standard sample, and inoculate tubes.
4)         After incubation, prepare stained wet mounts of tissue and score for the presence and intensity of dermo disease.
5)         Record data in laboratory notebooks and on standard data forms.
6)         Properly clean and store microscope after each use.
 
 
 
Majors in Biology, Environmental Science, Fishery Science, Marine Biology, or related fields are preferred; all majors will be considered.
 
To apply submit your resume and cover letter describing interest by USPS or email, not later than May 1, 2012.