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The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. 

Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces at various locations across the country. 

After working with the SCA, our members emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.

As America’s most effective youth conservation service organization, the SCA transforms lives by empowering young people of all backgrounds to plan, act, and lead while they protect and restore our natural and cultural resources. 

Founded in 1957, the SCA is dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders while inspiring lifelong protection of the environment and our communities. 

SCA's mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.

Science & Healthcare

Student Conservation Association, Inc

Conserving lands & transforming lives since 1957.

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 Position Summary 
 This position will assist National Park Service personnel and staff with protecting and monitoring the marine and terrestrial ecosystems in War in the Pacific National Historical Park (WAPA) in Guam. 
 
 The position will help establish and maintain a new large-scale coral nursery, conduct surveys of nearshore reef flats, and control avian predators as the first step to reintroducing native bird species to the park. The coral nursery will take fragments from coral colonies that survived significant past bleaching events in an effort to select heat-tolerant corals for outplanting efforts. Reef flat surveys not only provide critical information to help us manage the reefs, but the park is also using them to teach local undergraduate students about species identification and marine survey techniques. SCA interns will work with students from the University of Guam to learn their fish, corals, and macro invertebrates, and will use that knowledge to monitor spatial and temporal changes on the reef. The park is also working to remove brown tree snakes and other avian predators from Asan Ridge, a popular hiking area in the park. The goal is to reintroduce native bird species to the ridge, which were extirpated from Guam when invasive brown tree snakes were introduced after WWII. 
 
 Schedule 
 January 13, 2025 - January 10, 2026 
 
 Key Duties and Responsibilities 
 This internship will involve working in shallow coral reef habitat using SCUBA and snorkeling equipment, long swims, hiking over rocky terrain, and carrying up to 40 lbs. of gear. In addition, interns will use spreadsheets and databases to enter and maintain data, and assist with analyzing data, and writing reports. 
 
 Objectives: 
 <ul> 
 <li>Expand coral reef restoration efforts at WAPA by creating a new coral nursery that will provide thousands of fragments from a variety of species for outplanting onto damaged and denuded reefs.</li> 
 <li>Monitor park reef and reef flat ecosystems to track health over time.</li> 
 <li>Remove avian predators from Asan Ridge to facilitate native species recovery.</li> 
 <li>Engage partners in the local community and the University of Guam in research and conservation efforts.</li> 
 </ul> 
 
 Methods: 
 <ul> 
 <li>Install a new large-scale coral nursery at Hap's Reef (in WAPA's Agat Unit) and populate the nursery with 5000 coral fragments of species of local concern, sustainably sourced from populations that have survived past bleaching events.</li> 
 <li>Outplant 1000 nursery-cultured coral fragments, representing a minimum of five keystone species, onto Hap's Reef.</li> 
 <li>Monitor the health, survival, and growth of nursery and outplants using data collected by NPS staff, partners, and volunteer community members.</li> 
 <li>Actively mitigate the threat of corallivorous COTS in the Agat Unit by injecting with vinegar or oxbile. While COTS are native to Guam, severe outbreaks of COTS can decimate coral populations and must be culled.</li> 
 <li>Monitor spatial and temporal changes in the marine environment using standardized transect and photo quadrant methods.;</li> 
 <li>Utilize visual surveys, traps, and baits to identify and remove avian predators from Asan Ridge.</li> 
 </ul> 
 
 Marginal Duties 
 Interns will also participate in additional projects like stream monitoring, surveys for endangered Guam tree snails, bird surveys, and other opportunities as they arise. 
 
 Required Qualifications 
 <ul>
 <li>An interest and prior academic experience in marine and terrestrial ecology</li> 
 <li>Open water SCUBA certification</li> 
 <li>Ability carry out physically demanding work </li>
 <li>Proficiency in swimming</li> 
 </ul> 
 
 Preferred Qualifications 
 <ul>
 <li>Experience with ecological data collection and entry</li>
 </ul> 
 
 Hours 
 40 per week 
 
 Living Accommodations 
 Interns must source their own local housing. NPS staff in Guam can help provide recommendations and contacts. 
 
 Compensation 
 <ul>
 <li>$633 - weekly living allowance (subject to applicable taxes)</li> 
 <li>$2,000 - one-time roundtrip travel stipend</li> 
 <li>$12,000 - duty related travel and other expenses (receipts required and consultation with NPS and SCA staff)</li> 
 <li>Health insurance offered</li> 
 <li>AmeriCorps eligible ($7,395 education award if elected and internship satisfactorily completed)</li> 
 </ul> 
 All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 
 
 Personal Vehicle Information 
 Recommended 
 
 Equal Opportunity Statement 
 SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 
 
 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.
</div>


 Position Summary 
 This position will assist National Park Service personnel and staff with protecting and monitoring the marine and terrestrial ecosystems in War in the Pacific National Historical Park (WAPA) in Guam. 
  
 The position will help establish and maintain a new large-scale coral nursery, conduct surveys of nearshore reef flats, and control avian predators as the first step to reintroducing native bird species to the park. The coral nursery will take fragments from coral colonies that survived significant past bleaching events in an effort to select heat-tolerant corals for outplanting efforts. Reef flat surveys not only provide critical information to help us manage the reefs, but the park is also using them to teach local undergraduate students about species identification and marine survey techniques. SCA interns will work with students from the University of Guam to learn their fish, corals, and macro invertebrates, and will use that knowledge to monitor spatial and temporal changes on the reef. The park is also working to remove brown tree snakes and other avian predators from Asan Ridge, a popular hiking area in the park. The goal is to reintroduce native bird species to the ridge, which were extirpated from Guam when invasive brown tree snakes were introduced after WWII. 
  
 Schedule 
 January 13, 2025 - January 10, 2026 
  
 Key Duties and Responsibilities 
 This internship will involve working in shallow coral reef habitat using SCUBA and snorkeling equipment, long swims, hiking over rocky terrain, and carrying up to 40 lbs. of gear. In addition, interns will use spreadsheets and databases to enter and maintain data, and assist with analyzing data, and writing reports. 
  
 Objectives: 
  
  Expand coral reef restoration efforts at WAPA by creating a new coral nursery that will provide thousands of fragments from a variety of species for outplanting onto damaged and denuded reefs. 
  Monitor park reef and reef flat ecosystems to track health over time. 
  Remove avian predators from Asan Ridge to facilitate native species recovery. 
  Engage partners in the local community and the University of Guam in research and conservation efforts. 
  
 
 Methods: 
  
  Install a new large-scale coral nursery at Hap's Reef (in WAPA's Agat Unit) and populate the nursery with 5000 coral fragments of species of local concern, sustainably sourced from populations that have survived past bleaching events. 
  Outplant 1000 nursery-cultured coral fragments, representing a minimum of five keystone species, onto Hap's Reef. 
  Monitor the health, survival, and growth of nursery and outplants using data collected by NPS staff, partners, and volunteer community members. 
  Actively mitigate the threat of corallivorous COTS in the Agat Unit by injecting with vinegar or oxbile. While COTS are native to Guam, severe outbreaks of COTS can decimate coral populations and must be culled. 
  Monitor spatial and temporal changes in the marine environment using standardized transect and photo quadrant methods.; 
  Utilize visual surveys, traps, and baits to identify and remove avian predators from Asan Ridge. 
  
 
 Marginal Duties 
 Interns will also participate in additional projects like stream monitoring, surveys for endangered Guam tree snails, bird surveys, and other opportunities as they arise. 
  
 Required Qualifications 
 
  An interest and prior academic experience in marine and terrestrial ecology 
  Open water SCUBA certification 
  Ability carry out physically demanding work 
  Proficiency in swimming 
  
 
 Preferred Qualifications 
 
  Experience with ecological data collection and entry
  
  
 Hours 
 40 per week 
  
 Living Accommodations 
 Interns must source their own local housing. NPS staff in Guam can help provide recommendations and contacts. 
  
 Compensation 
 
  $633 - weekly living allowance (subject to applicable taxes) 
  $2,000 - one-time roundtrip travel stipend 
  $12,000 - duty related travel and other expenses (receipts required and consultation with NPS and SCA staff) 
  Health insurance offered 
  AmeriCorps eligible ($7,395 education award if elected and internship satisfactorily completed) 
  
 All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 
 
 Personal Vehicle Information 
  Recommended 
  
 Equal Opportunity Statement 
 SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 
 
 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.


Internship - War in the Pacific National Historical Park Natural Resources

Requirements

Responsibilities

Student Conservation Association, Inc

Mission & Purpose