Environmental Internships

Organization: Straus Communications | Bon Appétit
Industry: Sustainable Agriculture Fellowship
Job function: As a new crop of college graduates worries about finding that all-important first job, and students flock to internships in food and farming, Bon Appetit Management Company has established a program that brightens new graduates’ job prospects. The sustainable food service leader has created three new career-boosting paid fellowships for young campus activists involved in sustainable food and social justice. The new fellows will work directly with farmers around the country to assess overall sustainability, including labor practices in agricultural operations that supply the company’s 400 kitchens in 29 states.
Time period: All fellows are hired for a period of one year with a possibility of renewal for a second term. 
Contact: Haven Bourque, Straus Communications at (415) 777-1170 x 303 | Haven@StrausCom.com. You may also contact Vanessa Barrington, Straus Communications at (415) 777-1170 x313 | Vanessa@StrausCom.com

Organization: The Herring Run and Jones Falls Watershed Associations Location: 3545 Belair Road | Baltimore | MD, 21213
Industry: Environmental conservation and education
Job function: Full time, salaried staff person sought to direct the implementation of an innovative pilot program intended to reduce polluted stormwater runoff from urban and suburban neighborhoods in Baltimore City/ County. (1)
Time period: Full-time (40 hours a week)
Deadline: Please submit resume and cover letter to dflores@jonesfalls.org.
Description: Program goals are to control, treat or divert runoff from rooftops and roads prior to entering municipal storm drain system by educating homeowners about the water quality impacts of runoff and encouraging direct action by individuals such as disconnecting downspouts and installing rain barrels and rain gardens. The Coordinator would work with existing staff from the Herring Run and Jones Falls Watershed Associations, the Center for Watershed Protection and government partners.  
Responsibilities: Provide technical insight into neighborhood site selection for disconnection, install and maintain stormwater monitoring equipment, educate and engage local communities, and conduct surveys and disconnections for interested homeowners and businesses.. Coordinator will oversee and manage seasonal work crews and be responsible for project vehicles, equipment and tools. He/she will also be responsible for meeting project deadlines, managing all aspects of project budget, and providing regular progress reports to all project partners.  

Organization: Patuxent Research Refuge 
Location: Patuxent Research Refuge at 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop in Laurel, MD 20708-4027
Industry: Environmental Education
Job function: Environmental Interpretation Interns (2)
Time period: Full-time (40 hours a week), includinging two weekends (two days off during the week) from September 8, to December 5, 2009 (flexible to change)
Deadline: Send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references with phone numbers by August 10 to Michelle Donlan at 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop in Laurel, MD 20708-4027.
Description: Interns provide visitor information services, assist with public events, teacher and scout workshops, develop education materials, design and lead interpretive programs for all ages, and assist with biological monitoring when applicable.
Qualifications: Must have well-developed communication skills and leadership ability and be able to work independently and as part of a team.  Applicants must have experience working with children and adults, and should have (or be pursuing) a bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural resources, wildlife biology or other related field.  Although a work vehicle will be provided for official duties, applicants must have a personal vehicle.
Compensation: Interns are provided a subsistence allowance of $200 per week with on-site housing or $225 per week without housing.
Contact: Michelle Donlan at 301-497-5630 or Michelle_Donlan@fws.gov.

Organization: Greenpeace
Location: Baltimore (Mt. Vernon Office) or Washington, D.C.
Industry: Enivornmental Campaigning
Job function: Intern
Time period: Fall 2009
Deadline: The application deadline for the Fall 2009 semester is August 1.
Description: This year Greenpeace Interns will be working to demand global warming solutions from big polluter's and political officials, getting supermarkets to and helping our staff on a daily basis do what they do best -- protect our environment. You will also be able to participate in trainings such as corporate campaigning, non-violent direct action, media relations, materials production and grassroots outreach.
Compensation: The internship is unpaid and requires a minimum of 10 hours/week.
Contact: For the application and more information go to http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/about/jobs/internship.

Organization: Herring Run Watershed Association
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Industry: Environmental conservation and education
Job function: Park Restoration Program Intern
Time period: Summer
Description: The intern will asssit the Watershed Restoration Assistant with the implementation of restoration projects that promote the stewardship of Herring Run Park and surround environs. The candidate will gain experience in riparian restoration, landscape design, community organization, volunteer management, and GPS/GIS.

Responsibilities include working with the Department of Recreation and Parks, Parks and People Foundation, Friends of Herring Run Park and others to plan and promote volunteer events in the park. Coordinating volunteer work days, assisting with GIS mapping projects and supporting various restoration, education and recreation activities. 

The ideal candidate will have a background in natural sciences, education, and/or community organzing experience. A undergraduate or graduate with demonstrated interest in environmental protection and knowledge of river ecosystems is preferred. The applicant must be available to work on some weekends and evenings and must have a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle. Pay is $10-15 per hour, depending upon experience. Start date and part-time hours are flexible.
Contact: Send a resume, cover letter and a list of three references to Ashley Traut at atraut@herringrun.org or Herring Run Watershed Association, P.O. Box 24567, Baltimore, MD 21214. For more information call 410-254-1577.

Job function: Youthworks Coordinator
Time period: Summer
Description: Two coordinators are needed to oversee and direct crews of interns to maintain environmental restoration projects and conduct watershed surveys for six weeks. Coordinators are responsible for planning and achieving the weekly goals with six interns aged 14-18 during the six-week Youthworks intern program. The coordinator will work with the Waterhsed Restoration Manager and Assistant. The team ensures tree planting survival and reduces invasive plants in our parks.

Responsibilities include maintaining over 10 acres of urban tree plantings by watering, weeding, mulching, and conducting inventories; removing invasive species; working at the native plant nursery; monitoring streams; and leading door to door canvassing for street tree requests.

The ideal candidate will have a background in natural sciences, education, or landscaping. The candidate must be responsible, enjoy working out doors, have good communications skills and previous experience working with high school youth. Familiarity with landscaping practices and experience driving a truck and trailer a plus. This is a temporary, full-time positio with a wage of $10-15 per hour depending on qualifications. The applicant must have a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle.
Contact: Send a resume, cover letter and a list of three professional references to Darin Crew, Watershed Restoration Manager at dcrew@herringrun.org or by mail to Youthworks Coordinator, Herring Run Watershed Association, P.O. Box 24567, Baltimore, MD 21214.

 Organization: National Wildlife Visitor Center/Patuxent Research Refuge
Location: Laurel, Maryland
Industry: Environmental conservation
Job function: Teaching/education
Description: Provides educational experiences for visitors to the National Wildlife Visitor Center and Patuxent Research Refuge by developing and conducting interpretive and educational programs, leading tram tours that focus on wildlife management and research, working with scout groups, and assisting with the visitor center's operations.
Contact: Jennifer Hill: Jennifer_hill@fws.gov

Organization: Severn Riverkeeper Program
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Industry: Environmental policy
Description: This unpaid summer internship is open to students looking for a challenge in the arena of environmental policy.
Contact: Fred Kelly: riverkeeper@chesapeakerivers.org, 410-849-8540

Organization: Green Options
Location: Nationwide
Industry: Communications/media, technology, e-commerce
Description: GreenOptions.com is an online community that helps people connect with whatever aspects of the green movement appeal to them, and make informed decisions that allow them to live responsible and healthy lives. Green Options is accepting applications for various internship opportunities, including marketing, writing, editorial, research, business, graphic design, programming (web-based applications), and basic project management. Almost all of the internships are "virtual," allowing interns the flexibility and convenience of working remotely. Green Options is run collaboratively from Berkeley; St. Louis; and Portland, Maine. All internships are unpaid and require a three-month or semester-long commitment, with a minimum of 10 hours of work per week. Apply online by clicking here.
Contact: Amy Stodghill: internships@greenoptions.com, 917-797-8476

Organization: Patterson Park Initiative
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Industry: Wildlife
Job function: Education, fundraising/development
Description: Audubon is seeking an education intern for the Patterson Park Initiative. The intern would work an average of 20 hours per week at $8 an hour from September through December and/or February through June. The initiative seeks to establish a nature center in Patterson Park in urban Southeast Baltimore and to engage students and adults in conservation education.

Intern responsibilities include assisting with school programs in Patterson Park and in area schools; developing and implementing after-school programs; assisting with fundraising, office duties, animal care, and wildlife monitoring projects; and attending community meetings.

The applicant should be an upper-level undergraduate student, graduate student, or hold a bachelor's degree in biology, education, or a related field. Experience working with children and an interest in teaching outdoors are helpful. Criminal background check is required; CPR and first aid certification is helpful. A commitment to the Audubon mission of conservation is a must. The intern must live in Baltimore.
Contact: Jenny Kirkbride: jkirkbride@audobon.org, 410-558-2473, 2437 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224

Organization: Irivine Nature Center
Location: Stevenson, Maryland
Industry: Environmental conservation
Job Function: Education
Description: Irivine Nature Center is seeking volunteers to train high school students in hands-on nature activities to prepare them to teach the activities to elementary students. All training will be provided. The time commitment is as little as one hour per week after training, and the internship can fit easily into a student’s class schedule. Program runs March to May.
Contact: Laura Parrard: parrardl@explorenature.org

Organization: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
Location: Edgewater, Maryland
Industry: Environmental science
Job Function: Education, research, urban/regional planning
Description: The SERC Internship Program offers undergraduate and beginning graduate students an opportunity to gain exposure and first-hand experience in a research environment. The program enables students to work on specific projects under the direction of the center's professional staff and is tailored to provide the maximum educational benefit to each participant.

Projects include terrestrial, atmospheric and estaurine environmental research within the disciplines of ecology, biology, chemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, mathematics, and physics. Projects are also offered in environmental education and environmental information management. Although students will become familiar with the research being conducted by a particular staff member and with much of the research of SERC in general, individuals will devote most of their time to a project and content area of particular interest to them.

At the conclusion of the internship, student participants will be expected to present the findings of their independent projects in a formal seminar to the SERC community. SERC also maintains an ongoing seminar program that is designed to bring in noted outside speakers on a variety of topics in the environmental sciences. During the program's spring and summer seasons, field trips to research facilities and Smithsonian museums conducting similar programs are also coordinated.
Eligibility and appointment: SERC will consider applications from currently enrolled undergraduate and beginning graduate students, or students who have recently graduated from an undergraduate or master’s program. Applicants must commit to completing a project. U.S. citizenship is not required. Selection is based upon the student's academic credentials; relevant training or experience; letters of recommendation; and the congruence of the student's goals with those of the work/learn program. The specific dates and duration of the internship appointment are arranged between the supervisor and the student. However, internship appointments are generally full time (40 hours per week) for 10 to 16 weeks during the usual academic semesters and summer terms.
Financial/living arrangements: Selected candidates will receive a $350 weekly stipend. Limited on-site dormitory space is available for $60 per week. SERC does not supply board, although cooking facilities and utensils are available. The dorm can accommodate up to 12 residents at double occupancy. SERC is located in a semi-rural area seven miles from the nearest public transportation lines, therefore it is strongly recommended to bring a vehicle for personal transportation. References may also be available for room rentals in the local area; personal transportation would be necessary for this option.
Contact: Kim Sproat: SERCintern@si.edu, 443-482-2217, 647 Contees Wharf Road/ P.O. Box 28 Edgewater, MD 21037

Previously Completed

Employer: Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Course: BIO 290
Duties: The student helped nature center educators plan and present various on- and off-site educational programs, including planning special events, participating in outreach classroom programs, and developing educational material.

Employer: Herring Run Watershed Association
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Course: IDS 290
Duties: By working in the office of the Watershed Association, the student assisted with off-site programming.

Employer: Irvine Nature Center
Location: Stevenson, Maryland
Course: IDS 290
Duties: This full-time, paid intern helped plan and facilitate the Urban Education Department's summer fellowship program. The student prepared the supplies, maintained school yard habitats, helped create testable hypotheses, educated elementary school children, and served as an assistant to the Urban Education Program's director and coordinator.

Employer: World Wildlife Fund
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Course: IIS 290
Duties: The student taught English to villagers in Oaxaca to help them secure jobs.

Employer: Andy's Organic Farm
Location: Pahoa, Hawaii
Course: IIS 290, PHL 290
Duties: The two students helped plant, grow, and harvest ginger, bananas, avocadoes, and other fruits and vegetables. The students received housing but no other compensation.

   
Internship Financial Aid Awards

To offset the costs of transportation, housing, and other expenses associated with internships, the Career Development Office offers the Mary Ross Flowers Internship Award to students pursuing internships in the conservation of natural resources, environmental sciences, or agricultural science. For the deadline to apply and more information about summer internship awards go to CDO.