WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST INTERN- WHITE LAKE

The State of Louisiana is offering a Wildlife Biologist Intern position at White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area in Gueydan, LA. The intern will engage in mourning dove banding activities, including site determination, equipment maintenance, and data entry. Candidates must be enrolled in a relevant degree program and able to work in challenging field conditions. The internship runs from May 12 to August 8, 2025, with housing provided.
LDWF supports a strong work ethic in its employees and incorporates the use of good science, accurate information and technology. The Office of Wildlife exists to provide wise stewardship of Louisiana's wildlife and associated habitats and increase wildlife conservation awareness.

WHITE LAKE WETLANDS CONSERVATION AREA DOVE BANDING - INTERNSHIP

Background: White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) is an approximate 72,000-acre wetlands conservation area managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and consists of 75% freshwater marsh and 25% agriculture land. The property was owned and managed by various oil companies until BP donated it to the state of Louisiana in 2002. LDWF manages the property to produce high quality habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, alligators, and numerous other species; additionally the agriculture property is managed to maintain rice production and ensure the land stays in farmable condition. Since 2015, WLWCA has participated in the national mourning dove banding program. Mourning dove banding is part of a larger national effort coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the data produced from this project are an important component to estimating vital rates necessary for managing mourning dove populations.

Project Scope: The mourning dove banding intern will be responsible for capturing and banding mourning doves at WLWCA and the surrounding area. The intern will be responsible for various activities such as: determining potential mourning dove banding sites, securing permission to band doves on private property, maintenance of equipment, running trap sites morning and evening, ageing/sexing doves, banding doves, entering dove banding data, and maintaining detailed banding records. The intern must be able to work long and irregular hour’s (pre-dawn and post-dusk daily). The intern must be willing to work in extreme heat and humidity and be able to tolerate mosquitoes and other biting insects while working in the field. The intern must be able to take detailed notes for data collection and be proficient with Microsoft Office Excel program. At the end of the summer, the student intern will compose a research paper outlining mourning dove banding efforts, bait preference, and the amount of by-catch in proportion to overall captures on WLWCA.

Location: White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area, Gueydan, Louisiana

Timing: May 12, 2025 – August 8, 2025 ( flexible beginning and end dates)

Housing: White Lake Wetlands Conservation area will provide housing

Compensation: College credit is contingent upon university approval. Interns may receive $12 per hour

Application deadline: April 13, 2025

The purpose of the LDWF Biologist Intern Program is to provide students at the graduate and undergraduate levels relevant experience. This experience will help guide their future career decisions and prepare them for a position within the agency.

Students must be currently enrolled full time in an accredited educational institution at the undergraduate or graduate level, and maintain enrollment at the university while employed at LDWF. In order to apply for an internship, candidates must be pursuing a degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, natural resources.

Internships are for a short-specified timeframe, usually a semester.

To be considered for the Biologist Intern program, students must possess the following qualities:
• Detail oriented
• Willingness to learn new tasks and handle multiple tasks
• Ability to work independently within departmental policies and guidelines
• Excellent communication skills
• Integrity, punctuality, and dependability
• Positive attitude

Verification of enrollment from the University will be required upon hire.

Students do not need to be registered during the summer sessions in order to be qualified for student status. However, if they graduate in the spring semester, proof of enrollment for the fall semester must be received in order to continue employment under the student employment program.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE KEPT ACTIVE FOR 90 DAYS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VACANCY CONTACT:
Cassandra Louis

Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Human Resources
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
clouis@wlf.la.gov

HOW TO APPLY

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
• Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment resources for individuals with disabilities, see the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide at http://www.laworks.net/Downloads/LRS/EmploymentResourceGuide_2018.pdf(Download PDF reader)

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

Wildlife & Fisheries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.