Cavity-Nesting Birds & Arthropod Research Internship 2025

Location: Front Royal, Virginia   | Dates: April – August 2025 

Stipend: $1400-1600/ month based on experience; housing provided 

Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) is a program of Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) that promotes the conservation of native biodiversity and sustainable land use through research, education, and community engagement. Interns will have a unique opportunity to develop skills in wildlife biodiversity research, native species conservation, and sustainable land use practices on Virginia’s working landscapes, while connecting with professionals in the Smithsonian’s network. 

Benefits of interning with VWL: 

• Participation in current research on grassland biodiversity in Virginia.
• Participation in multiple projects that will reinforce their skills in biodiversity monitoring and conservation.    
• Connections with partnering conservation organizations working in various areas of conservation.   
• Exchange of ideas with researchers in different science areas at NZCBI.   
• Participation in seminars, VWL workshops and events, and other educational activities at NZCBI. 

At VWL, we value the strength that comes from a variety of perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive space for our entire team. As such, we encourage individuals from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for our internship opportunities. 

We are currently seeking an intern to assist with grassland cavity-nesting birds and arthropod research on private lands near Front Royal, Virginia in a project in collaboration with the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology. Start and end dates are flexible, but field work would begin approximately April 2025 and run through August 2025. Primary responsibilities include monitoring nest boxes, assisting with the capturing, banding, and tagging of grassland birds, arthropod sampling, data entry, and arthropod and bird identification. 

This intern will be part of VWL’s grassland bird research and conservation team, gaining new skills in project management, field ecology, and communications of scientific results to the general public. Interns will also assist with public engagement activities related to grassland bird and biodiversity conservation. By participating in this internship, this intern will play a significant role in advancing our knowledge of local biodiversity and the impacts of land management and conservation practices on wildlife. 

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience handling and banding passerines. 
• Strong interest in learning arthropod sampling methods and/or identification. 
• Strong interest in grassland bird conservation and/or experience working in grasslands.  
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.  
• A strong work ethic and positive professional attitude. Interns will engage in fieldwork both as a team and individually and will likely be in a position where they will interact with landowners. 
• Must be able to walk long distances and begin work in early mornings. Daily field conditions include walking through fields in hot, humid weather during the summer with ticks, and occasionally poison ivy.  
• Ability to share housing with others, good communication, and flexibility to adapt to a changing schedule. 
• Willingness to comply with the Smithsonian’s COVID-19 guidance, which may include being fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  

Learning Objectives

This is a paid internship opportunity through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Through this internship, the intern will assist with the following as they gain important experience with conservation science and engagement:

• Gain comprehensive understanding of grassland bird conservation, food web interactions, and ecology principles.  
• Build a portfolio of avian and arthropod field research techniques including systematic nest box checks, bird banding, sweep netting, and identification.  
• Develop leadership and project management skills through immersive experiences, including collaborative planning, field team coordination, data management, and problem-solving.  
• Build interpersonal skills by communicating with multiple landowners, research partners and community members to promote program activities and conservation practices.  
• Learn technical skills and provide assistance using programs such as ArcGIS, R-Studio, and Excel.  
• Learn mentoring skills by working with undergraduate practicum students and classes.  
• Assist with managing output from an array of projects to be carried out by staff, graduate students, other interns, and community scientists.  
• Develop skills in science communication by contributing to our monthly Conservation Science Newsletter, where we summarize relevant research papers and articles from around the world to share with our community.  
• Develop skills in social media communications and web-based outreach including creating content and materials for the grassland biodiversity research program.