Natural Resources Intern

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking up 20+ Natural Resources Interns for Summer 2023 to support both office and field natural resources projects in offices nationwide (please see below for sample locations). Natural Resources Interns will support of diversity of field based and office based and will work with talented, multi-disciplinary teams of natural resource professionals. Established in 1981, SWCA has a long-standing presence in the United States, and is known for sound science and creative solutions.

The Natural Resources Intern positions require a demonstrated interest in natural sciences, a good attitude, willingness to learn, flexibility, and good communication skills.  Individual office locations may prefer candidates to have specific aptitudes (e.g., classwork or some technical experience) in botany, avian biology, ecosystem restoration, wetlands, or other biological/water resources fields. These positions provide great opportunities for a Natural Resources Intern to enter and launch a career in environmental sciences, supported by leadership focused on the professional development of team members.

This internship will occur during the summer 2023 (June 5th-mid August). Candidates who can start earlier than June 2023 will be considered and those who can remain past August may provide additional value. In addition to project work, the internship program includes regularly scheduled presentations by SWCA leaders.

This is a paid, full-time internship.  Interns will be paid between $17.00/hour and $20.40/hour dependent solely on office location.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as is reasonable. We anticipate a large flow of qualified candidates, and we will close the posting as soon as the individual office positions are filled.

Please submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.  In the cover letter, please also include a 250-500 word essay in response to the prompt below:

SWCA is committed to employee success measured solely by contributions to advancing our scientific and technical work, not by factors such as gender, identity, expression, or sexual orientation, racial or ethnic identity, cultural, or socio-economic background, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, health status or physical abilities. We value and celebrate the unique differences that make us OneSWCA.  In alignment with this commitment, all SWCA internship applicants shall submit a brief essay and, in 250 to 500 words, respond to the following statement:  Describe your work, service, personal, or educational experience with diverse communities that have traditionally been underrepresented or adversely impacted in the workplace. Based on these experiences, outline how promoting inclusion, diversity, and belonging drives enhanced success.

Diverse and Veteran applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for this internship.

Our Vision (the North Star)****: Help drive SWCA to be the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership.

Core Values**:** We are #OneSWCA and collabor****ate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines**.** We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

Purpose**:** Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

What you will accomplish

Typically, Natural Resources Intern positions are both field and office based. The Intern will support project managers and field leads with a variety of natural resources surveys such as wetland delineations, wildlife surveys, botanical surveys, etc. There will be opportunities for office work, data clean-up, reporting, and other office-oriented tasks to support the Natural Resources team. Field work may occur across near office locations and/or in other nearby states as needed. The Natural Resources Intern may be expected to hike for extended periods, sometimes with colleagues or solo.

Locations (and potential specialized skills)

SWCA is currently anticipating placing Natural Resources Interns in the following locations.  This is subject to change. It is highly unlikely that SWCA would pay for relocation costs though costs for field work and business trips will be covered.

• Central East Region – Amherst, MA (1 – Natural Resources; 1 - Ecosystem restoration); Austin, TX, Boston, MA (1 – Natural Resources; 1- Remediation/Assessment; Chicago, IL (2 - Natural Resources, 1 - Ecosystem Restoration); Houston, TX, Portland, ME; Raleigh, NC (Water Quality Sampling/Site monitoring)
• Rocky Mountain (and Pacific NW) Region – Albuquerque, NM or Durango, CO; Bismarck, ND (or Minneapolis, MN – remote); Denver or Ft. Collins, CO; Salt Lake City, UT (1- natural resources, 1-water resources); Sheridan, WY (or Montana – remote).
• West Region – Reno, NV; Pasadena, CA; Half Moon Bay, CA, San Francisco, CA or Sacramento, CA; San Diego, CA (ecosystem restoration/natural resources mix); Hawaii (must be on-island).
• National Client Services Team – Remote (anywhere USA) – Climate Services/Disaster Resiliency

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Currently enrolled in a college or university, pursuing a bachelor's degree in an environmental related field with coursework in environmental sciences, biology, wildlife biology, ecology or something similar, or a recent graduate within 12 months of May 1, 2023. Or equivalent experience.
• Applicants that are pursuing a Master's degree will also be considered. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible through this program.
• Experience with natural resources field work (e.g., environmental, natural, water, biological, ecological, etc.) through classwork, honors thesis or Capstone projects, professional/intern experience, or volunteer work.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Must have good communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Must have ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.

Important for Field-Based roles:

• Some position may require an ability to travel to the field 50%-75% of the time, including spending up to a week or two at a time at a field location.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions, effectively execute tasks, and conform to shifting priorities and demands.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required.

Helpful Skills:

• Familiarity with GPS devices and digital data collection, and/or mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Technical writing experience.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.