The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) mission is to serve as a trusted source for residents, businesses, industry, and the community on issues relating to preserving, restoring, improving and maintaining the natural habitat and ecosystem of the bays, estuaries and watersheds of Pensacola and Perdido Bays.

PPBEP is seeking a Manatee Outreach Intern to help implement the Panhandle Manatee Program, a wildlife conservation program that educates boaters, coastal residents, and visitors about the presence of manatees and seagrass. Manatees are being spotted with increasing frequency in Pensacola and Perdido Bays. This program aims to build awareness about manatees, their habitat, how to protect them, and how to report sightings.

The primary responsibilities of the Manatee Outreach Intern will be to coordinate and implement a manatee outreach program in the Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds, working with a team of trained volunteers, to provide audience-specific messaging to three targeted groups:  

• Boaters will learn how to protect manatees and seagrasses (via outreach at boat ramps)
• Coastal residents and visitors, as well as coastal businesses and their customers will learn how to report manatee sightings (via outreach to neighborhood associations, property managers, condo associations, rental properties, kayak rentals companies, boat tour operators, charter boat captains, etc.)
• Anglers and guests at public fishing piers will also receive information on reporting manatee sightings 

This opportunity is an outreach and education-based internship and does not involve direct contact with manatees. This is NOT a rescue, rehabilitation, or hands-on research internship.

This position will report to the Community Outreach Assistant. The selected candidate may have access to workspace at PPBEP’s office located in downtown Pensacola.

This is a paid short-term internship opportunity.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Assist Community Outreach Assistant with recruiting and training volunteers to conduct outreach.
• Responsible for coordinating volunteers to conduct outreach at boat ramps, fishing piers, and community events in Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds (minimum of one day per weekend required, typically Saturday).
• Serve as the primary contact for volunteers, event coordinators, and partner organizations.
• Distribute outreach materials (boaters, anglers, coastal residents and visitors, coastal businesses and their customers, etc.). 
• Provide content for social media, blogs and other venues to promote manatee sighting messaging.
• Communicate with and schedule volunteers (email, text, online scheduling system).
• Track and report volunteer hours and program outreach.
• Assist with National Estuaries Week (September 20th-28th) events.
• Other duties as assigned by Community Outreach Coordinator and Assistant. 

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Training and Experience:
Enrolled in an undergraduate institution and completed at least 2 years of college education, or recent graduate, in a related field of study (biology, marine science, environmental policy, science education, communication, or similar fields)

Licenses and Certifications:
Must possess a valid driver’s license from state of residence

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAO's):

• Local knowledge of Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds, and accommodations within one-hour drive reliable transportation, and willingness to use personal vehicle for travel to sites to conduct outreach on occasions when Program vehicle is unavailable
• Have general understanding of conservation and the value of wildlife
• Knowledge of marine life, especially manatees and seagrass
• Able to speak clearly and comfortably with diverse audiences (boaters, anglers, general public, homeowners, property managers)
• Able to spend 4 -6 hours outside in Florida summer conditions, with considerable time standing, walking, and speaking
• Comfortable coordinating and supervising peers, as well as volunteers who may be older or younger
• Organized, self-motivated, assertive, outgoing, and able to work with minimal supervision
• Possess good verbal and written communication skills, and comfortable using standard computer programs, communication devices, and social media platforms
• Reliable and professional
• Willingness to use personal cell phone (a cell phone is necessary for communication with volunteers while in the field)
• Interpersonal skills to successfully establish and maintain effective working relationships with Program staff, volunteers, partners, and the general public
• Passion for the environment and connecting people to their local watershed
• Operate a vehicle

COMPENSATION
$15.00/hour (no benefits)
PPBEP is happy to work with the applicant to obtain relevant credit(s) through college/university programming, such as directed independent study (DIS), internship credit hours, etc. Applicant should indicate if they intend to pursue this in application letter. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate your class schedule.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Service Term (approximate):
Anticipated Start Date: March 3, 2025
Approximate End Date: September 28, 2025
Schedule is flexible but anticipate 20-30 hours/week.

Work Schedule:
Willing to work a minimum of 20-30 hours/week, including weekends and holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day)

Physical Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require: talking, hearing, seeing, finger and hand dexterity, and repetitive motions.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work. Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, dusts, extreme temperatures, intense noises and travel.