The Coastal Stewards - Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Internship managed by FAU School of Environment, Coastal Ocean Sustainability

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Internship Program with The Coastal Stewards

** Please note: This is not an on-campus job opportunity. This internship opportunity is with The Coastal Stewards. Funding for this program is provided through FAU's School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability.

Who are The Coastal Stewards

The Coastal Stewards is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of coastal marine animals and ecosystems. The Coastal Stewards’ Marinelife Conservation Team operates a sea turtle rehabilitation hospital based at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Florida. We further collaborate with like-minded organizations around South Florida to assist with marine animal rescues. In addition to the Marinelife Conservation Team, the Coastal Stewards’ Education Department engages with children and the public through initiatives such as the Youth Council and outreach events, fostering education, awareness, and the connection between marine conservation and our rescue and rehabilitation work.

Internship Description 

The intern will work in all capacities for the Coastal Stewards including education and outreach events, manatee and cetacean rescues, with the majority of the duties focused on sea turtle rehabilitation at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Being a smaller organization, the intern will have the opportunity for one-on-one mentorship with the sea turtle staff and veterinary teams. The intern will be added to The Coastal Steward’s sea turtle rehabilitation permit allowing them to gain hands on experience along with accruing hours for potential future sea turtle positions that require documented, permitted hours.

Intern Responsibilities:

 ▪ Animal Care and Husbandry 

• Prepare and feed patient diets
• Maintain and clean sea turtle habitats
• Monitor patient health and maintain detailed records
• Conduct water quality analysis
• Develop and implement enrichment activities
• Assist with new patient intake – obtaining measurements, weights, and setting up a new enclosure

Medical and Veterinary Support

• Assist with patient handling and restraint for treatments and exams
• Observe and assist in anesthetic monitoring during surgical procedures under veterinary supervision
• Conduct intake and evaluation of sea turtle hatchlings during nesting season
• Participate in necropsies of sea turtles and cetaceans to gain insight into anatomy, pathology, and cause of death

Education and Outreach

• Interact with and educate visitors at the sea turtle hospital
• Assist with public outreach and conservation education programs

Internship Learning Goals: 

• Gain a foundational understanding of sea turtle behavior, biology, and husbandry
• Learn proper handling techniques to ensure both animal and handler safety
• Develop knowledge of sea turtle life history, common injuries, and diseases, along with conservation status – understanding the impact of human activities on sea turtle populations
• Understand quarantine protocols when dealing with Fibropapilloma virus patients
• Become familiar with the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and release processes for sea turtles
• Gain knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations regarding sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation, along with manatee and cetacean conservation regulations

The Successful Applicant

•  Must pass a Level II Background Check Screening.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Shall have the ability and demonstrate lifting and carrying 40 lbs.
• Will demonstrate good voice projection and an engaging demeanor, being comfortable with public speaking.
• Will be comfortable working outside, tolerating weather extremes such as the heat and humidity found in South Florida.
• Will have strong attention to detail in following protocols and ensuring animal well-being.
• Should approach the opportunity with a positive mindset, always valuing the critical importance of the team.

Please note: Students selected for this internship, must register their internship for 0 credit or academic credit with Florida Atlantic University