DaRin Butz Foundation NWF Sea Turtle and Manatee Intern (Tampa Bay Region)

National Wildlife Federation•Tampa, FL

About The Position

The National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Program seeks a part-time, paid intern for a 12-week (approximately 90-day) internship supporting sea turtle and manatee conservation and outreach in the Tampa Bay region. The intern will help with the sea turtle model lighting ordinances program, wildlife-friendly lighting outreach, and related conservation and outreach activities. Work includes developing educational materials, supporting lighting displays, reviewing and tracking lighting ordinance updates, compiling nesting and disorientation data, and creating audience-specific messaging for Florida Gulf Coast residents and coastal businesses, local governments, and interested members of the public. The position is based in the Tampa Bay region, and the intern must have a permanent address in one of NWF’s working states. The role reports to the Senior Wildlife Policy Specialist based in Pinellas County, Florida. The internship is expected to run for three continuous months between February and June 2027, at 19–24 hours per week, for a maximum of 277 hours. The schedule is flexible to accommodate classes and may include evenings and occasional weekends during the spring semester. Compensation is $18.50 per hour, with no benefits. NWF may work with the intern to obtain college or university credit.

Requirements

Be a Florida resident.
Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution and have completed at least two years of college education.
Be willing to work a flexible schedule of 19–24 hours per week, including evenings and occasional weekends during the spring semester.
Communicate clearly and comfortably with diverse audiences, including government employees, coastal businesses, the public, and homeowners.
Be organized, self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.
Be comfortable working outdoors for several hours at a time in Florida heat and humidity.
Have good verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable using standard computer programs and communication devices.
Be reliable and professional.
Have a general understanding of wildlife conservation.
Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, and be willing to use a personal vehicle to travel to outreach sites.
Be willing to use a personal computer and cell phone.
Be available for a continuous three-month term between February and June 2027.

Nice To Haves

Experience or knowledge in outreach and engagement facilitation.
Experience or knowledge in wildlife biology.
Experience or knowledge in written communications.
Experience or knowledge coordinating and scheduling, and working independently.

Responsibilities

Create and facilitate educational outreach materials about sea turtles and manatees.
Contact hardware stores, visitor centers, and other coastal businesses by email, phone, or in person to promote wildlife-friendly lighting displays.
Engage targeted stakeholders with educational resources and online tools.
Join regular partner meetings to discuss lighting ordinance changes.
Attend relevant meetings and conferences.
Draft social media content, blogs, op-eds, and other materials promoting sea turtle conservation.
Shadow partners conducting sea turtle monitoring and lighting assessments.
Review lighting ordinances and assist with identifying updates.
Compile sea turtle nesting and disorientation data.
Participate in the Manatee Awareness Coalition.
Perform other duties as assigned.