Position: Tribal Youth Internship (Closes March 21, 2025)

• Department: Natural Resource Department

• Hours: 37.5/Seasonal

• Salary Level: $17-$21 hourly

• Supervision by: Natural Resource Department Director and Tribal Biologist

Summary

Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak is offering one Tribal Youth Internship with our Natural Resources Department through funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  The purpose of this internship is to provide an opportunity for Tribal Youth to gain experience in a broad array of career fields within natural resources and management by Tribes of Sovereign Tribal Trust Resources, and to encourage youth to pursue college-level education in natural resource studies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• I)               Eradication efforts of invasive signal crayfish

  Capture crayfish, collection of morphometric data (age, sex, carapace length) and population data (time, date, and location of capture, presence/absence of marks associated with the mark/recapture study); collection of water samples to determine presence/absence of crayfish via environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis; and assistance with education and outreach efforts including community crayfishing derbies.

  II)              Marine Mammal Response

  Respond to dead stranded marine mammals to collect biological samples, assist with full necropsies (if such a response is feasible and safe); assist with education and outreach efforts regarding marine mammal response, biology, and ecology during public events.

  III)            Evaluation of Migratory Birds of Conservation Concern

  Assist with monitoring Aleutian tern nesting colony sites and enumeration of terns present; evaluating presence of contaminants in eggshells and feathers of Aleutian terns; environmental education and community outreach activities regarding migratory birds; and assisting with environmental justice concerns and gain experience with protection and stewardship of Tribal Trust Resources through attendance at Regulatory Meetings such as the Alaska Migratory Birds Co-Management Council.

Qualification Requirements

• Preference to local candidates with experience working or recreating in inclement weather conditions

• Must show proof of current enrollment in a Federally-Recognized Tribe or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB or CDIB)

• Lift up to 50 lbs, be comfortable working in/on rough terrain, bear country, cold water, boats, and small aircraft

• Must hold a valid Driver’s License, submit to drug testing, and be drug-free in the workplace

• Must be self-motivated, possess a positive attitude, work as a team member, and be literate in Microsoft programs

• Must be willing to sign a volunteer agreement with partner agencies

Education/Experience: 

High School graduate or currently-enrolled college students interested in natural resource management and/or research are encouraged to apply.

What we provide:

Interns will receive a $25 per day food stipend and all necessary field gear (boots, waders, and rain jacket/pants), and, if necessary, cold water/boat safety, bear awareness safety, First Aid/CPR training, and aircraft safety.

To Apply: 

Fill out the Tribal Youth Internship Application and include a cover letter (including your Tribal affiliation), current resume, contact information for three references, and email Daniel Smith, Tribal Biologist at dsmith@sunaq.org with the subject line “Tribal Youth Intern Application.”  If you have questions, please contact Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak at (907) 531-5009.