Summer internship open to applicants

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force announced yesterday the 3rd Annual Governor Tause P.F. Sunia Memorial Coral Reef Conservation Summer Internship Award, in recognition of the late Governor’s outstanding leadership in and contribution to the conservation U.S. coral reef ecosystems.

The late Sunia is most remembered for being an eloquent and impassioned advocate for coral reef protection and management at the local level, not only in American Samoa, but throughout the United States and the Pacific region. The results of his efforts and dedication can be seen in the many accomplishments at the local, national, and global levels, making the late governor a true world leader in coral reef protection. This award is intended to continue the governor’s legacy by providing an outstanding college or university student the chance to develop professional coral reef management skills to be applied in their local jurisdiction.

In 2004 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Conservation Program hosted the first Sunia interns from USVI and Guam. This past summer the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted interns from Hawaii and Puerto Rico. In 2006 NOAA will again host the interns, and for the first time this opportunity will be made open to applicants from the Freely Associated States of Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

This is a competitive award, in which two excellent students from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, American Samoa, the Freely Associated States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands will be selected to receive a three-month, expenses-paid summer internship working on coral reef management initiatives with an agency member of the USCRTF.

In this third year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will host and sponsor the award. The winner, pending availability, will be flown to Washington, D.C. to receive the award at the next meeting of the USCRTF.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be considered for this award, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

– Be currently enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in marine policy or science with emphasis on coral reefs; and have completed a minimum of one academic year of study in that program.

– Have demonstrated interest and work on coral reef issues; and

– Be a legal resident of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, the Freely Associated States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.

APPLICATION SELECTION TIMETABLE

Applications received: Feb. 17, 2006, 5pm
Award winner notified: March 17, 2006
Winner flown to DC to receive award: TBD, spring, 2006

APPLICATION MATERIAL
All applicants wishing to be considered for the award should submit the following material:

– Unofficial copies of all college and/or university transcripts.

– Resume.

– One letter of recommendation from a professor or relevant employer.

– A 750 word essay (maximum) on the importance of managing coral reefs in your island jurisdiction and nationally; and how this internship will benefit your career goals related to coral reef management in your island.

Application material may be sent by mail, fax, or email and must be received no later than Jan. 13, 2006, 5pm EST, to the following:

USCRTF Governor Sunia Award
c/o Beth Dieveney
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
1305 East West Hwy, N/ORR
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Email: beth.dieveney@noaa.gov
Phone: 301-713-2989 ext. 200
Fax: 301-713-4389

For more information contact Beth Dieveney at the above address.