The James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship program is designed to provide those graduating Nevada high school seniors or current college or university students that have a sincere interest in pursuing a career in wildlife management an opportunity to earn funds to help support his/her college education. Selected interns will become paid seasonal employees of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). They will receive ‘on-the-job’ training to provide them with practical knowledge and experience to enhance their college studies and future career.
The internship program receives funding from two conservation organizations, the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (NBU), Reno chapter and the Nevada Wildlife Record Book. James Lathrop (NBU) and Wayne Capurro (Nevada Wildlife Record Book) were founding members of these organizations, working tirelessly to serve the needs of Nevada’s wildlife and habitat. Both men made outstanding contributions to wildlife management in their roles as hunters, volunteers, and organizers and through advising NDOW, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners and the many wildlife-oriented organizations that mutually support the sustained health of Nevada’s wildlife resources.
The internship is a paid seasonal position. Interns will camp, hike and participate in physically strenuous work activities. Work often involves transporting building material to, and aiding in, the construction of water tanks and other wildlife related structures. Tasks may involve field activities in remote areas of the state. Often work in these areas involves driving in mountainous areas, working and camping alone. Interns can expect to spend time, sometimes days at a time, alone without contact with others. Interns should be comfortable driving manual transmission vehicles and be capable of driving 4WD vehicles on unimproved roads. Interns should be willing and able to change a flat tire and install tire chains when needed. Interns are expected to relocate to and live in different parts of the state each summer. Duty stations will sometimes be in rural areas where the intern may be required to live alone in camp trailers.
Applicants must be intending to pursue or currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in wildlife management, biology, ecology or a closely related field and should be in good academic standing. Candidates must submit an application through their high school’s scholarship coordinator. Application packets will be sent to each Nevada high school in January. Students that are home-schooled or are graduating from a private or charter school can contact NDOW at (775) 688-1529 for an application packet or download it below. College students can download an application and submit it to NDOW.
Hear from former intern turned NDOW biologist, Josh Kirk, in this Nevada Wild podcast highlighting the program!
