[Coral-List] Internship position at the Grupo Puntacana Foundation, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

[Victor Galvan]

The Grupo Puntacana Foundation is currently accepting applications for
three (3) different positions:

         I.            Coastal Resource Restoration and Management

     II.            Coral and Other Invertebrate Species Husbandry

  III.            Aquatic Systems/Aquarist



Application deadline: February 10, 2018

Internship dates: 20 March to 20 September (these are tentative dates;
earlier start time might be required for one or more of the internship
positions)

Website: www.puntacana.org



 The Grupo Puntacana Foundation internship program is a rigorous program
that allows participants to work on *Acropora* coral restoration, marine
ecology, environmental education, species monitoring and resource
management amongst other areas of interest to the foundation. There
internships are physically demanding and time and energy intensive but also
a great learning opportunity for the selected candidates. Each cycle, the
foundation receives a high number of qualified individuals from across all
three academic degrees from multiple countries worldwide, making the
internships very competitive. The selected candidates will be directly
supervised by the Biodiversity Conservation Coordinator whom reports to the
Programs and Research Manager. All interns will work off the new Center for
Marine Innovation (CMI) and will work on other research programs being
implemented, which includes field and laboratory research, data analysis,
report writing, proposal writing and manuscript preparation.



*Internship Duration:*

The length of the internship is negotiable, ideally 6 months. Desired
internship duration must be stated in the applicant's letter of interest.



*Stipends and More:*

A small stipend to help cover food and other expenses will be provided
depending on the qualifications of the candidate, the length of the
internship, and the AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Interns will be provided with
free lodging at the Foundations Center for Sustainability for the duration
of the internship. These are dorm room style living areas in which two
rooms share a common bathroom.



 *General Requirements: *

·         The candidate should have the following characteristics:
professionalism, the ability to work as a team member, willingness to work
flexible hours and a strong commitment to research in preservation,
conservation and restoration of coastal marine resources.

·         BA/BS in Biology, oceanography, marine biology, ecology or
similar degree is required.

·         Proof of medical insurance must be provided by selected
candidates prior to arriving in country.

·         Proof of DAN insurance is required for candidates interested in
diving.

·         Advance Open Water Certification is required for candidates
interested in Diving.

·         All Candidates must be able to carry out a simple conversation in
Spanish to be able to qualify.



Additional information for each of the available internships is provided
below and can also be obtained by contacting the emails below.



Interested candidates must apply by sending an email with a single PDF
containing: CV and cover letter which includes “Internship and name” in the
subject line to vgalvan at puntacana.com. Applications will only be accepted
until January 20th at 5PM Dominican Time.

   *I.                   **Coastal Resource Restoration and Management: *

Interns will work mainly on the foundation’s *Acropora* in-situ coral
nursery maintaining nursery infrastructure, monitoring and controlling
disease and predator outbreaks. Data collection and analysis will also be
part of the work. Interns will also be responsible for monitoring coral
genotypes and incorporating new genetic material from other areas of the
country. Interns will also work on outplanting activities alongside local
fishermen and youths. Occasionally, interns will travel with staff to visit
other nurseries in the Dominican Republic and will work closely on these
visits with the Dominican Coastal Restoration Consortium (CDRC in Spanish)
to monitor and evaluate *Acropora* coral nursery performance at each of
these sites. During the turtle nesting season, interns will work with local
volunteers to patrol local beaches for Hawksbill nests. Sea urchin, sea
cucumber, parrotfish monitoring and mangrove restoration will also be a
part of the intern’s responsibility. Interns are not expected to carry out
independent research but are welcome to propose a research topic. Finally,
interns will work with other staff to prepare and present scientific
research to government officials and others, as requested.



*Example Duties and Expected Responsibilities:*

·         Establishing and maintenance *A. cervicornis* outplant sites
along the Punta Cana reefs area and neighboring communities.

·         Maintenance and upkeep of the coral nursery in Punta Cana.

·         Invertebrate marine surveys.

·         Assist with technical writing, data collection and presentations.

·         Care for and provide basic maintenance to project equipment.

·         Research literature, help identify and apply for grants.

·         Assist in the development of new partnerships, and support
environmental permit renewal efforts.

·         Assist as needed Center’s activities including the implementation
of tours.



*II.                **Coral and Others Invertebrate Species Husbandry:*

Interns in these positions will work with the Center’s staff on the
continued development and improvement of microfragmentation and subsequent
outplanting techniques. Interns will be responsible for monitoring and
documenting microfrag coral growth and other parameters. Interns will work
with staff to develop microfraging and Outplanting standardized protocols
that can be replicated in other areas of the Dominican Republic. Interns
will also work with the Biodiversity Conservation Coordinator to carryout
invertebrate field surveys establishing baseline date that can be used for
future propagation activities. Further, interns will be responsible for
live fish, inverts, and corals (potentially other organism as well):
including cleaning of holding tanks, feeding, and more. Additionally,
interns will be responsible for both quarantine tanks and raceway
propagation tanks at the Center.


*Example Duties and Expected Responsibilities:*

·         Responsible for the Microfragmentaiton program which includes the
cutting, quarantining, feeding and upkeep of coral fragments.

·         Carryout coral experiments to help established best practices.

·         Carryout regular tank and raceway maintenance and cleaning.

·         Invertebrate care, treatment and feeding. Includes tank
maintenance and cleaning.

·         Assist with technical writing, data collection and presentations.

·         Work with other staff and interns (Aquatic Systems/Aquarists
Intern) in the installation and maintenance of coral raceways, aquarium
plumbing, and lighting.


*Position Specific Qualification Requirements:*

·         Minimum 2 years of experience with coral, sea urchins, sea
cucumber and Caribbean marine fish species or a combination of experience
and education.

·         Experience handling, collecting, manipulating and feeding corals,
fish and inverts.

·         Some experience with microfragmentation practical techniques or
theory.

·         Experience with specialized equipment including pH, DO, and other
water chemistry parameter probes.

·         Knowledge of Caribbean marine species



 *III.             **Aquatic Systems/Aquarist:*

For this new internship, we are looking for candidates with abundant
experience working with marine closed and open water systems. Selected
candidates will be responsible for the close and open systems that support
a variety of projects including the Microfragmentation program, the
Center’s Wetlab, the touch tanks, and the turtle recovery and holding
tanks. As the Center’s projects grow, the intern might be expected to
contribute to these new programs as well. Candidates can work on their own
independent projects or assist other interns and staff in the
implementation of their work. The intern is also expected to work the
maintenance staff to resolve system issues. Finally, the intern will work
closely with the Ornamental Fish Propagation (OFP) Coordinator to collect
and propagate local ornamental fish species for eventual reintroduction
efforts.



*Position Specific Qualification Requirements:*

·         Experience with Caribbean species.

·         Indispensable experience in the installation and maintenance of
coral raceways; aquarium plumbing; and lighting.

·         At least 2 years’ experience (or a combination of experience and
education) in Open and Close Marine Water Systems.

·         Knowledge of sand and UV filters

·         Experience with Water Quality monitoring meters

·         Protein skimmers, activated carbon and similar equipment

·         Plumbing and aquaria lighting experience


Please send your cover letter and a resume to vgalvan at puntacana.com no
later than 5 PM on the state date.


-- 
Victor M. Galvan
Reef Restoration Coordinator
Punta Cana Ecological Foundation
cell: 829-336-8344


Coordinador: Restoracion de Arrecifes
Fundacion Ecologica Punta Cana