Natural Resources Job Board

 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY 

 

GREAT EXPERIENCE-Resume builder 

 

Please note this experience is volunteer and requires a project fee (see below), which covers room, board, in-country transport, and food for workdays. Additionally, participants must provide own transportation to Belize. We have worked with numerous students to apply for external grant funding and to obtain university credit. 

 

We are seeking 5-10 motivated field assistants per 30-day period for our wildlife study in Belize, Central America. The data gathered in the field contributes to a non-invasive study focused on predators (jaguars, pumas, and ocelots) and their prey species to research long-term demographics of felid and other wildlife populations and the impacts of landscape, habitat, and anthropogenic effects such as selective/sustainable logging at multiple sites across Belize. 

 

Interns will gain extensive field experience setting up large remote camera grids across tropical broadleaf and/or tropical pine forests, orienteering with GPS, map, and compass, maintaining field vehicle, gear, and house, conducting trail maintenance via machete, working/living with a small/medium team, and organizing and entering data to maintain a database. 

 

Job includes EXTENSIVE driving and hiking on dirt roads and trails to remote camera stations. Field assistants may be required to carry heavy equipment, and will hike long distances through rough terrain, and bushwhack through thick vegetation. Work will also include shared data entry, camp and vehicle maintenance, and other errands and household chores. 

 

Rustic living conditions in a tropical environment (meaning hot and humid weather, snakes, and biting insects). Field assistants will be living in close living quarters with their co-workers and will be expected to help out with group cooking, cleaning, and other basic field-house chores. 

 

 

Qualifications 

Preference given to students in wildlife biology or related field (biology, forestry, natural resources, etc.). No experience is necessary, but the applicant must have a positive and flexible attitude, be enthusiastic and ready to learn, have a strong work ethic and ability to get along with others in tight, close-knit, living conditions. 

 

Backpacking skills are not required but are a plus. 
 
 This is an internships position where the technician will need to pay for their plane ticket and a project fee of $1850 per month (1 month minimum required). This project fee covers food, accommodations, and all in-country transport, while in Belize (except for days off or vacation days). The experience is a resume builder for international, camera-trapping, and wild cat work. It is much less expensive than a typical study abroad experience. A large number of past students have received funding and/or independent study credit from their host institution to participate. 

 

Winter positions available from December 19, 2024 through March 31, 2025 

 Please e-mail a resume/cv, letter of interest, and list of three references with contact info to Darby McPhail at dkm5ek@vt.edu;  David Lugo (dal0826@vt.edu) and Marcella Kelly at makelly2@vt.edu 

 

Application Deadline: Rolling, will be filled continuously.