Intern - Engineering, Hydrology, & Design (Summer 2026)

Environmental Science Associates•Portland, OR

2d•$22 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States. ESA is excited to announce our Engineering, Hydrology, & Design - Summer 2026 Internship program. Our internship program will run for approximately 4-months, starting in Spring/Summer 2026. This variable part-time paid opportunity offers 12 to 24 hours per week. Our Summer internship program strives to expand the environmental, engineering, and planning industries with a workforce that more accurately represents the communities where we live, work, and serve. Our mission is to implement a unified internship program for all students in this business sector including but not limited to those students who represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as veterans, individuals with disabilities, and/or students who are first in their families to go to college and provide them with opportunities for professional development, networking, and a pathway into the industry. Candidates must be able to commit to working 12-24 hours a week. Priority will be given to candidates who can commit to working in-person from our ESA Office in Seattle, Washington for optimized engagement and hands-on training/mentorship opportunities. Qualified candidates able to work in our Portland, Oregon Office may be considered. Qualified candidates must be currently in university and/or recent graduates (including grad students). While cover letters are not required, a tailored cover letter stating your area of interest and why you're interested in an internship with ESA can be very helpful. To be considered, you must apply by February 13th, 2026. Who You Are You are an effective team member and communicator who can work collaboratively on multi-disciplinary teams. You check your work for errors and accuracy, follow through on assignments to deliver your project assignments on time, and you learn from constructive feedback. You hold or are pursuing a degree in any of the following fields of study and/or a similarly related field: Airports/Aviation Planning Archaeology Architectural History Biology/Natural Resource Management Climate Change/Sustainability Planning Environmental Planning Urban Planning and Design Transportation Planning Geospatial Systems (GIS) Computer Science/Data Technology Civil/Environmental Engineering What You Will Do for ESA You will use and expand your knowledge, previously gained through education and/or experience, in one or more of the following areas: Understanding environmental protection regulations and their application Learning about local planning and environmental issues and requirements Conducting field assignments Participating in public outreach and collaboration Producing technical, business, and/or marketing work products Analyzing data and contributing to cutting-edge research Supporting project, business management, and/or marketing teams Collaborating with diverse technical teams Adhere to company policies and procedures. Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care. Continuously seek to improve skills and knowledge relevant to the role. Participate in virtual meetings and video conferences. Collaborate with team members through online platforms. Provide updates and reports to supervisors Perform data entry and manage databases. Draft, edit, and proofread documents and reports. Respond to emails and manage communication channels. Ad hoc assignments and projects as assigned. Some internship responsibilities require the ability to work in a wide variety of field conditions (weather, terrain, etc.), walk long distances carrying a backpack, safely operate, load and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks, and other obstacles. You may also be required to have a valid driver’s license and be able to work some nights and/or weekends. You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required. You may participate in compliance monitoring and reporting activities for on-going construction projects; you may work near heavy equipment. You possess a valid driver’s license and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road. Please be aware that this position may also involves working in an office environment, which may include sitting behind a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods. This may lead to eye strain, back discomfort, and other ergonomic issues if proper precautions are not taken.

Requirements

You are an effective team member and communicator who can work collaboratively on multi-disciplinary teams.
You check your work for errors and accuracy, follow through on assignments to deliver your project assignments on time, and you learn from constructive feedback.
You hold or are pursuing a degree in any of the following fields of study and/or a similarly related field:
Airports/Aviation Planning
Archaeology
Architectural History
Biology/Natural Resource Management
Climate Change/Sustainability Planning
Environmental Planning
Urban Planning and Design
Transportation Planning
Geospatial Systems (GIS)
Computer Science/Data Technology
Civil/Environmental Engineering
1 year of experience in a coordination role supporting multiple groups or managers in a similar setting.
Working towards or obtained a degree in related field from a junior college, community college, or university.
High attention to detail with excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work and effectively communicate with various levels of staff and handle multiple concurrent tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Good working knowledge of relevant integrated software application skills required.
Some internship responsibilities require the ability to work in a wide variety of field conditions (weather, terrain, etc.), walk long distances carrying a backpack, safely operate, load and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks, and other obstacles. You may also be required to have a valid driver’s license and be able to work some nights and/or weekends.
You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
You may participate in compliance monitoring and reporting activities for on-going construction projects; you may work near heavy equipment. You possess a valid driver’s license and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road.

Responsibilities

Understanding environmental protection regulations and their application
Learning about local planning and environmental issues and requirements
Conducting field assignments
Participating in public outreach and collaboration
Producing technical, business, and/or marketing work products
Analyzing data and contributing to cutting-edge research
Supporting project, business management, and/or marketing teams
Collaborating with diverse technical teams
Adhere to company policies and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care.
Continuously seek to improve skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
Participate in virtual meetings and video conferences.
Collaborate with team members through online platforms.
Provide updates and reports to supervisors
Perform data entry and manage databases.
Draft, edit, and proofread documents and reports.
Respond to emails and manage communication channels.
Ad hoc assignments and projects as assigned.

Benefits

You are eligible to participate in ESA’s sick leave program.
You may be eligible to participate in our employee stock ownership program and tax deferred 401(k) plan if you meet the eligibility requirements for these plans.

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