Turtle Program Coordinator Internship

We are seeking a highly motivated intern coordinator to help organize the 2022 Green and Hawksbill nesting season on St. Eustatius. This is a unique opportunity to gain more international work experience in the field, living and working on a small island in the Caribbean. This is a position where flights and shared accommodation for the duration of the internship can be covered for the right applicants. Preference is given to persons from the Netherlands or the US, due to immigration regulations. Previous relevant turtle experience would be beneficial. Driver’s license is required.

Period: 6 months, from July – December

As a Turtle Program Intern Coordinator, you will be assisting National Parks staff in managing the turtle nest monitoring program. This includes assisting with morning- or night patrols, nest excavations, beach clean-ups, data collection and data entry, training of volunteers, scheduling, and other activities.

You will mostly be on Zeelandia Beach at night. This is the main nesting beach of St. Eustatius. Unfortunately, the beach is very narrow and on most parts of the beach sea turtle nests get lost due to flooding or erosion. Therefore, it is important that we know exactly where the nests are laid and protect nests by relocating them to a safe part of the beach. Night patrols last from 8 PM till 2 AM. On busy nights the patrol can last longer. Turtles don’t nest every night and therefore you shouldn’t expect to see turtles during every patrol.

All turtle nests are followed up to study the hatching success. As a turtle intern coordinator, you will help to keep track of all the nests and maintain the schedule of when nests can be excavated.

Upon arrival, full training will be provided. Once you are familiar with the protocol you will lead the patrol and help to train and supervise other volunteers.

For more information on the turtle program visit: www.statiapark.org/sea-turtle-conservation-program-on-st-eustatius/

To apply, please send us your motivation letter, CV and two references to: volunteer@statiapark.org, subject “Turtle Volunteer Coordinator”

Turtle Program Volunteer

During the turtle nesting season which runs from July till December, you will be assisting the Turtle Program Volunteer Coordinator with night patrols on Zeelandia beach, monitoring nesting sea turtles. You will assist with gathering data from sea turtles that generally nest between dusk and dawn. Data gathered by the team will be shared Caribbean-wide through a linked database, which wildlife managers use to improve protective measures for endangered species.

You will mostly be on Zeelandia beach at night. This is the main nesting beach of St. Eustatius. Unfortunately, the beach is very narrow and on most parts of the beach sea turtle nests get lost due to flooding or erosion. Therefore, it is important that we know exactly where the nests are laid and protect nests by relocating them to a safe part of the beach. Night patrols last from 8 PM till 2 AM. On busy nights the patrol can last longer. Turtles don’t nest every night and therefore you shouldn’t expect to see turtles during every patrol.

For more information on the turtle program visit: https://www.statiapark.org/sea-turtle-conservation-program-on-st-eustatius/

To apply, please send us your motivation letter, CV and two references to: volunteer@statiapark.org, subject “Turtle Volunteer”