Ecological Crew Lead Internship Summer 2026

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

85d • $26 - $31

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) is seeking current undergraduate graduate students. As an Ecology Crew Lead, you will lead an ecological crew in collecting vegetation monitoring data and gaining leadership experience with field-based data sampling efforts. 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.; however, occasional overtime – while minimal – is expected due to the inherent nature of fieldwork. You will be based at the Idaho Falls campus and conduct independent team-based fieldwork on the INL Site, located 45 miles west of town. You are expected to spend most of your time outdoors conducting fieldwork in a variety of weather conditions with little access to facilities. When available, you may receive opportunities to work on a group poster project, attend field tours and intern networking activities.

Requirements

• Enrolled full time student status at an accredited college or university: Undergraduate.
• Seeking a degree in Ecology, Botany, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources, Rangeland Management, Wildlife Management, or Environmental Science.
• Possess a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. (including CPT and OPT).
• Must be available to begin work by May 18th.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Foster a collaborative, whole-team work environment by balancing individual skillsets, strategically resolving logistical challenges inherent to fieldwork, and participating in leadership training and weekly Internship Mentor meetings.
• Lead crew to conduct vegetation sampling to observe long-term plant composition and structure.
• Create a field work schedule and coordinate logistics for crew.
• Collect and oversee the collection of ecological data on electronic devices with industry standard software (Excel, ArcGIS Collector, etc.) and on paper datasheets.
• Use experience in and demonstrate plant identification to assist the crew to identify native, introduced, and weedy plant species of the sagebrush steppe ecosystem.
• Ensure crew compliance with all federal and state motor vehicle laws and company safety standards while operating vehicles on highways and on unimproved roads over rugged backcountry terrain.
• Demonstrate navigation skills to access remote sampling locations with compasses, paper maps, and/or GPS units.
• Hike off-trail and transport survey equipment to remote sampling locations.
• Make observations and record data on plant survivorship and/or post-wildland fire vegetation surveys.
• Assist in wildlife, rare plant, and NEPA survey efforts under permanent staff guidance.
• Guide the Ecology Crew through the successful completion of the poster project, managing tight deadlines, and navigating challenges that reflect real-world scientific collaboration.
• Support the Ecology Crew in developing the poster, from hypotheses development and data analysis to layout design and presentation.
• Lead the team in selecting a poster topic based on one of the core literature examples.
• Create a phased writing schedule with iterative review cycles to meet internal and external deadlines.
• Facilitate poster workshops to encourage peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing.
• Assign tasks that align with each intern’s ecological skills, strengths and interests.
• Present the final product at the INL Intern Poster Session.

Benefits

• Undergraduate Internships ($26.16/hour - $31.47/hour).
• Eligible interns are provided paid holiday time off, and many of our internships offer travel reimbursements.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees