KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CENTER 

MISSION STATEMENT 

• To conserve and protect all species of marine turtles, both in the water and on the beach;
• To rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured sea turtles;
• To inform and educate the public regarding the plight of all sea turtles and the threat of their extinction; and
• To provide an experiential learning site for students of biology, wildlife conservation, and/or veterinary medicine from around the world.

Our Sea Turtle Life Support and Water Quality Internship gives college students and recent graduates a unique, hands-on opportunity to gain experience in water quality management and the maintenance of life support systems for aquatic animal care. Interns work under the guidance of KBSTRRC’s Life Support Systems Coordinator, contributing directly to the daily operations of our sea turtle hospital and the care of our patients.

• Free Housing! Free, shared housing with utilities included is provided. Valued at $400/month, our intern guest house is conveniently located next door to our sea turtle hospital. Housing is co-ed, and interns will have their own room but should expect to share a bathroom with one other intern of the same gender. No pets are allowed.
• Stipend Available! Full-time or part-time hours available. Full-time interns (40-50 hours per week, 12 week minimum) who meet all internship expectations, complete all internship responsibilities, and work the entire 12 weeks will receive a $1,440 stipend at the end of their internship to help defray the costs of participating. Additional weeks earn $120/week added stipend.

Part-time interns (20-30 hours per week, 12 week minimum) who meet all internship expectations, complete all internship responsibilities, and work the entire 12 weeks will receive a $720 stipend at the end of their internship to help defray the costs of participating. Additional weeks earn $60/week added stipend.

• Other Expenses: All other expenses are the responsibility of the intern. Interns should expect to pay for food, travel to and from the internship, entertainment and recreation, and any other personal expenses that are not part of the internship.
• School Credit: School credit may be available from your institution. The intern is responsible for completing all paperwork and paying all fees required by their institution to receive credit for their internship.
• Duration:  The Life Support and Water Quality Internship runs for 12-18 weeks. Start date is flexible within the months of October or November. Interns should expect an irregular work schedule consisting of weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Some workdays may exceed eight hours.
• Additional: Interns should be prepared for work that is physically demanding. Additionally, because of the nature of working with sick and injured turtles, the work may at times be emotionally challenging.

If you have questions, please email Megan, our Internship Coordinator, at internship@seaturtlehospital.org.

Intern Responsibilities:

• Assist in preparing and moving salt water to appropriate sea turtle systems
• Develop a basic understanding of water chemistry (e.g., pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)
• Accurately data log daily temperatures and pressures
• Maintain daily logs of activities performed, communicate effectively with the volunteer water team
• Assist in keeping KBSTRRC neat, clean and disinfected, including animal tanks, floor drains, mixing and holding tanks, pipes, sinks, and surrounding areas
• Assist with other programs and responsibilities as needed 
• Participate in team building, research or enrichment projects as designated by KBSTRRC staff  
• Learn basic information on water quality, lab testing, pumps and valves, and filtration
• Be exposed to and use applied math for life support and for water quality measures

Intern Requirements:

• College undergraduate or recent graduate, minimum 18 years of age
• Major in environmental or biological sciences, engineering, or related scientific field
• Interest in learning about life support systems (LSS) such as pumps, filters, chillers, UV sterilizers, and protein skimmers
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort with tools, plumbing, and troubleshooting equipment
• Computer and data entry skills
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Positive attitude with a desire to learn
• Flexible schedule
• Personal laptop or tablet highly recommended
• The ability to get along well with others in a shared housing situation
• Minimum of 12-week commitment
• Up to date covid vaccination (booster withing the last 12 months)
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds
• Ability to pass a background check

Upcoming Internship Dates and Deadlines:

• Fall 2025: Application deadline: September 30, 2025.

TO APPLY to be an INTERN:

• Be sure to upload your COVER LETTER into the form.
• Be sure to upload your RESUME into the form.

Be sure to upload THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, including one from a professor, into the form. Alternatively, your references may e-mail a letter directly to internship@seaturtlehospital.org.