National Park Internship

TERRESTRIAL INTERNSHIP

STENAPA is a non-governmental nature conservation organization based on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius. STENAPA is legally mandated by the Island Government to manage all the island’s protected areas (the Statia National Marine Park, the Quill/Boven National Park as well as a young Botanical Garden) on the 21km2 island of St Eustatius.

We are looking for interns to be involved in the maintenance and monitoring of Statia’s terrestrial protected areas. The terrestrial parks are comprised of one extinct volcano at the northern end of the island called Boven and a dormant volcano called the Quill at the southern end which have a combined total of seventeen trails. Weekly maintenance of these trails is required to ensure visitors safety and enjoyment of the park. The intern will work alongside the national park ranger.

 Alongside this STENAPA carry out various monitoring projects of selected species. For example we are currently dealing with the invasion of the Green Iguana onto the island. This species has mated with the local and critically endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana of which several hybrids have been found. We are working with other stakeholders on the island to survey selected areas in order to find hybrid specimens. Any prior knowledge of invasive reptiles and/or of iguanas would be of much assistance in our efforts to stop the extinction of the Lesser Antillean Iguana on our island.

JOB DUTIES:

• Three times weekly maintenance hikes across the national park
• Assist in iguana conservation and monitoring project
• Assist with the development of weekly maintenance schedules
• Development of trail signage
• Map trail using GPS
• Carry equipment to specific points on the trails for use in maintenance activities
• Assist with guided hikes
• Accompany educational hikes with various youth groups
• Assist the garden ranger twice a week in the botanical garden
• Assist with regular iguana surveys and tagging

• All interns are required to take part in nighttime patrol of the turtle nesting beach

REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous experience of working in a national park or relevant educational qualification
• The applicant should possess previous experience working with volunteers or volunteer work.
• Also able to communicate to people of different nationalities
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to work as a team but also able to work independently
• Must be physically fit with ability to do manual labor and the use of heavy tools
• Preferably 21yr+
• English speaker.
• Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license (preferably a manual driver)
• Willing, enthusiastic and proactive

Work hours are from 7am-4pm with an hours break for lunch, there is possible weekend work. Please note this is an unpaid position. Candidate should be able to start as soon as possible for a period of 12 weeks. More than 12 weeks (without incurring immigration costs) is possible for Dutch Nationals only. It is an ongoing vacancy so it is possible to apply year round for different slots.

Accommodation is provided in a shared house for $275/month with other interns; food, travel and insurance is at your own cost. Send your resume and motivation letter to manager@statiapark.org For any other information about STENAPA please like our facebook page @StenapaStatia or contact outreach@statiapark.org