Ecosystem Restoration Intern - Environmental Services (Summer 2026)

Stantec • Sarasota, FL

13d

About The Position

Learning begins in the classroom but there’s no better place to gain real-world experience than with Stantec. Interns are an integral part of our teams, working to solve some of the world's most complex challenges. As an intern, you’ll work alongside our experienced practitioners and with our clients and communities. This hands-on experience will equip you with practical skills, build your network, and provide opportunities that set you up for success. Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields with dedication, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are devoted to fostering a community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. Here, you can apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental professionals on work that’s vital to our clients and the communities they serve. Join a team that’s naturally committed to the environment. Your Opportunity Join Stantec's Restoration Services team in the Sarasota/Manatee/Hillsborough County area to help manage nuisance and exotic vegetation in wetlands, water conversation areas, stormwater treatment areas, canals, and conservation lands. Enjoy exploring Florida's beautiful outdoor and backcountry adventures? Stantec is willing to train reliable individuals with the right attitude to make working at Stantec their career. Daily work tasks include traversing natural areas via truck, UTV, and/or on foot treating nuisance and invasive vegetation, installing native plants, or other activities necessary for ecological restoration projects. Projects will involve plant identification, assisting with herbicide mixing and/or application of targeted vegetation, installation of various native plant species, and working with various gas powered and manual hand tools. A typical workday consists of 10 hours days, four days per week, with one day remaining for weather delays. While not typical, this position may require overnight travel (lodging and per diem covered by Stantec).

Requirements

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or university program in the physical sciences, such as environmental science, biology, geology, or a related discipline.
• Stantec welcomes interns currently pursuing degrees in the physical sciences who are enthusiastic about gaining hands-on experience in ecological restoration.
• Willingness and ability to traverse wet and rugged terrain under a variety of weather conditions, sometimes while carrying field equipment
• A commitment to maintaining a strong safety culture and following established protocols

Nice To Haves

• Interest in or coursework related to native and invasive plant identification
• Experience exploring or conducting fieldwork in Florida's natural areas, whether through academic projects, student organizations, or outdoor activities
• Familiarity with operating field equipment such as ATVs/UTVs, swamp buggies, airboats, or an eagerness to learn their use
• Basic understanding of herbicide use, safety protocols, or laboratory techniques related to chemistry or environmental science
• Exposure to ecological restoration methods or a strong interest in environmental stewardship and restoration practices
• Experience with or willingness to learn map reading, GIS software, and GPS navigation for field data collection and project planning
• Current or planned certification in First Aid and CPR is encouraged
• Any experience with small equipment such as backpack sprayers, augers, chainsaws, or brushcutters, or a desire to gain these skills
• Openness to overnight travel as project needs arise (less than 10% of the time)

Responsibilities

• Implementing restoration project work at the ground level under the direction of a Field Supervisor or Project Manager
• Herbicide application to targeted nuisance/exotic plants using an UTV, boat, backpack, or airboat
• Native planting, erosion control installation, or any other activities necessary with field implementation of ecological restoration projects
• Compliance with all company and client safety requirements
• Follow corporate policies, operate through the proper management channels, and act in the best interest of the company

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees