Ecology Crew Member Internship - Summer 2027

Idaho National Laboratory•Idaho Falls, ID

2h•$29 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring Ecology Crew Member interns for Summer 2027 to support its Environmental Monitoring & Natural Resources team. Crew members collect vegetation monitoring data and gain hands-on experience with field-based ecological sampling. Two crews will support habitat condition monitoring and long-term vegetation transect surveys. Training in entry-level applied ecology skills is provided under the guidance of the Natural Resources Group. The position is based at the Idaho Falls campus. Employees drive company trucks approximately 45 miles west to the INL Site for team-based fieldwork, spending most of their time outdoors in a desert environment and in varied weather, with limited access to facilities. The work schedule is four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday, with start times between 4:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Early departures and occasional minimal overtime are expected, and some workdays may exceed 10 hours. Interns may shadow natural resources professionals in the field and participate in intern networking activities. They will complete a lightning-talk project and present a 4–5 minute talk to Environmental Support and Services staff and senior leadership at the end of the internship. First Aid and CPR training is provided to obtain or renew required medical certifications. Candidates must start May 24, 2027, to follow the cohort training schedule.

Requirements

Be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree program majoring in Ecology, Botany, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources, Rangeland Management, Wildlife Management, or a closely related environmental field.
Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
Be authorized to work in the United States, including through CPT or OPT.
Provide a current resume or CV.
Provide a cover letter of no more than two pages that highlights relevant experience and addresses interest in the chosen field of study and career goals, including how the internship will contribute to those goals.
Provide unofficial transcripts that include current and completed degree programs.
Provide a current class schedule and number of credits.
Be able to start on May 24, 2027.
Have a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Interest in plant identification.
Outdoor experience in fieldwork or recreational activities.
Basic understanding of vegetation sampling techniques.

Responsibilities

Conduct vegetation sampling to observe long-term plant composition and structure.
Collect ecological data using electronic devices and industry-standard software, such as Excel and ArcGIS Collector, as well as paper datasheets.
Learn to identify native, introduced, and weedy plant species.
Operate full-size company trucks on highways and rugged, unimproved backcountry roads in compliance with federal and state motor vehicle laws and company safety standards.
Navigate to remote sampling locations using GPS units, compasses, and potentially paper maps.
Hike off-trail through tall vegetation while carrying survey equipment to remote sampling locations.
Observe and record data on plant survivorship and/or post-wildland-fire vegetation surveys.
Potentially support rare plant, wildlife, and NEPA survey efforts under permanent staff guidance, if the schedule allows.
Complete a 4–5 minute end-of-summer lightning talk for Environmental Support and Services staff and senior leadership.
Attend First Aid and CPR training to obtain or renew required medical certifications.