Ecology Crew Member Internship - Summer 2027

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking interns to join our Environmental Monitoring & Natural Resources team. As an Ecology Crew member, you will join a field crew collecting vegetation monitoring data and gaining hands-on experience with field-based data sampling efforts. We will have two crews supporting habitat condition monitoring and long-term vegetation transect surveys. You will develop or receive training in professional, entry-level skill sets in applied ecology under the guidance of the Natural Resources Group. 

The Ecology Crew works a 4x10 schedule with start times ranging from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., Monday to Thursday. Occasional and very minimal overtime is also expected due to the inherent nature of fieldwork. You will be based at the Idaho Falls campus and drive company trucks to the INL Site, located 45 miles west of town, to conduct team-based fieldwork. You will be expected to spend most of your time outdoors in a desert environment conducting fieldwork in a variety of weather conditions with little access to facilities. 

You will work on a lighting talk project to present at the end of the internship. You will receive opportunities to shadow natural resources professionals in the field and attend other INL intern networking activities. You will develop skills and receive training in one or more of the following job activities:

• Conduct vegetation sampling to observe long-term plant composition and structure 
• Collect ecological data on electronic devices with industry standard software (Excel, ArcGIS Collector, etc.) and on paper datasheets 
• Learn to identify native, introduced, and weedy plant species 
• Comply with all federal and state motor vehicle laws, as well as company safety standards, when operating full-size company trucks on highways and rugged, unimproved two-track backcountry roads
• Navigate to remote sampling locations with GPS units, compasses, and potentially paper maps 
• Hike through tall vegetation off-trail while carrying survey equipment to remote sampling locations
• Make observations and record data on plant survivorship and/or post-wildland fire vegetation surveys
• Potentially rare plant, wildlife, and NEPA survey efforts under permanent staff guidance if schedule allows 
• You will be sent to a First Aid and CPR Training to obtain or renew required medical certifications 
• Your end of summer deliverable will be a 4-5 minute lightning talk presented to Environmental Support and Services staff and senior leadership (around 75 people) 
• Selected candidates are required to start May 24th to follow a cohort training schedule
• This position requires early departures and at times, workdays that exceed 10 hours in a desert environment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Enrolled full time in an Undergraduate Degree Program majoring in Ecology, Botany, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources, Rangeland Management, Wildlife Management,  or closely related environmental degrees  
• A minimum overall 3.0 GPA
• Authorization to work in the U.S. (including CPT and OPT)
• Current Resume or CV
• Cover letter (maximum two pages), in your letter, highlight your relevant experience as it pertains to the job responsibilities please address the following:
  1. What inspired your interest in your chosen field of study? 
     1. Share the experiences, interests, educational opportunities, personal influences, or other factors that motivated you to pursue your academic discipline.
  2. What are your career goals, and how will this internship contribute to achieving them?
     1. Describe your professional aspirations and explain how participation in this internship will support your learning, skill development, and long-term career objectives.
• Unofficial Transcripts (include current and completed degree programs)
• Current class schedule and number of credits
• Must be able to start on May 24th, 2027
• Must have a valid driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interested in plant identification, outdoor experience in field work or recreational activities, basic understanding of vegetation sampling techniques 

Compensation:

• Undergraduate Internships ($29.39/hour - $32.41/hour)

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, type on a keyboard, reach with hands and arms, and operate job-related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.