WLW-ECOS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

For more than 30 years communities around the United States have been restoring their beaches. Although some areas are relatively new to the process, others have a long history of successful replenishment projects. In many cases, the restoration process is so well established that beach enthusiasts are not even aware they are enjoying a restored beach! This often occurs when a community has a large seasonal population and the beach restoration occurs when seasonal residents are not there to see it.

Job Description:

Update the ASBPA National Beach Nourishment Database with recent beach nourishment project information
Draft a Coastal Voice newsletter article about annual database in collaboration with Science & Technology Chair
Coordinate the annual database update by connecting with coastal practitioners working on beach nourishment around the nation
Participate in the Monthly Science & Technology Committee meeting (typically held on the third Tuesday of the month) to share database updates
Participate in weekly check-in calls with the Executive Director and/or Science & Technology Committee Chair
Assist as needed with graphics to communicate science-based policies over a century of shore & beach preservation

Qualifications:

Students applying to this internship should have basic knowledge of beach systems and moderate skills using databases and Microsoft Excel.�� Good written and oral communication skills are also important. Must be able to work 15-20 hours per week.

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Dream in Green Science Communication Intern��

About Dream in Green: Dream in Green’s mission is to empower individuals, especially youth, to lead in the response to climate change and other environmental challenges facing South Florida. We assist diverse organizations, including schools, households, local governments and businesses to reduce their environmental footprint. Through establishing partnerships in our community, we develop, implement and oversee educational programs and workshops that promote environmentally sustainable behaviors among all age groups. For more information visit www.dreamingreen.org.

Internship Responsibilities:

Willingness to support Dream in Green's mission
Assist with writing blog posts for the website
Assist with writing content and designing graphics for social media channels
Keep up with local news
Identify journalists that write about the environment and sustainability and build media list
Propose ideas/story angles that could be pitched to these journalists
Assist with implementation of marketing plan
Create various promotional materials to recruit schools for Green Schools Challenge

Qualifications:

Experience with Microsoft Office suite
Experience with Prezi, Adobe and WordPress a plus
Strong communications skills (verbal and written)
Must be organized, detail oriented and follow instructions
Must be a team player and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a volunteer environment

Learning Outcomes:

Learn how to write messaging specifically for the media
Understand how journalists work and how to develop relationships with them
Experience how a nonprofit organization handles communications for their supporters
Develop skills (i.e. teamwork, meeting project deadlines, etc.) to improve your resume and have a higher chance of landing an entry-level job after college

Dream in Green WE-LAB Program Coordinator��

Internship Description: DIG seeks a highly responsible student to coordinate the WE-LAB Program. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for implementing WE-LAB workshops within Miami Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties. Responsibilities include forging relationships with community partners to ensure the successful implementation of educational workshops. Coordinator must be flexible, as workshops may be scheduled on weekends or after regular business hours. Training is provided by DIG’s Programs Manager and general direction and oversight are provided by the Executive Director who is in charge of ensuring DIG achieves its goals and objectives. This position has a possibility of extension to full-time based on funding availability.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Coordinate and facilitate WE-LAB Workshops which includes:

Communicating with community stakeholders and teachers to schedule workshops
Presenting information about the Water/Energy Nexus during workshops
Updating presentation content as necessary, working with partner presenters
Assembling water and energy-saving toolkits
Transporting boxes of toolkits to and from workshops
Travel to and from workshops, meetings, and outreach events
Organizing and inputting data collected from pre/post-workshop surveys
Maintain and update Recyclepedia (recycling) website and application
Additional administrative support activities which include:
Assisting with the implementation of DIG’s social media strategy
Participate in planning and implementing events for Dream in Green and all its programs

Preferred Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

Ability to plan, organize, and manage projects
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing
Must be a team player and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an inclusive environment
Excellent presentation and training skills
Creative and critical thinking skills
Speaks Spanish a plus
Database management
Experience in website management (WordPress, Wix, etc.)

Hobe Sound Nature Center Wildlife Education & Program Development Intern��

About Hobe Sound Nature Center: The Hobe Sound Nature Center is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that works in cooperation with the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge to educate, inspire, and empower people of all ages to protect and conserve South Florida’s unique critical habitats and wildlife. We host experiential education and outreach programs that have contributed to the protection of countless acres of critical habitat, the restoration of fragile habitats, and the survival of many species. Our education programs are rooted in community, weaving together the diverse threads of local knowledge and shared values. In addition to hosting on-site education programs for K-12 students, we also host a robust summer camp program and off-site library programs. Our headquarters are located on the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge (13640 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455), including a museum where visitors may interact with our resident, non-releasable wildlife, including but not limited to small mammals, turtles, snakes, alligators, and amphibians, while learning about their unique natural history.

Internship Description: We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic science communicator to join our small, collaborative team of educators, biologists, and resource managers. This internship provides hands-on experience across a wide range of organizational and operational activities, including curriculum development, interpretive teaching, outreach, community engagement, guided hikes, turtle walks, animal care and husbandry, and occasional administrative support.

While the intern will gain exposure to many facets of our organization, the primary focus of this role is curriculum development and interpretive education. The intern will assist in the implementation of existing educational programs and play an active role in developing new programming and/or enhancing current offerings. Responsibilities may include lesson plan development, creation of instructional materials and presentations, and planning and facilitating educational programs.

Qualifications:

Applicants must be a current student pursuing a degree in environmental science, biology, education, zoology, or related fields.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
Applicants must agree to a background check.
Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
Applicants must be comfortable working in less-than-ideal conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat, humidity, sun exposure, and inclement weather.
Applicants must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
Applicants must be able to work well with audiences of all ages, including but not limited to local, national, and international visitors, staff, and volunteers.
Applicants must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Canva, and Google Workspace.
Applicants with experience in lesson plan development, conducting educational programs, and/or outreach is preferred but not required.

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Florida Oceanographic Society Animal Care and Life Support Intern��

About Florida Oceanographic Society: Florida Oceanographic Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the mission to inspire conservation of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy.

Internship Description: The Animal Care Intern will work as part of FOS’s Animal Care staff to carry out daily activities including: monitoring of water chemistry, diet preparation and feeding, dispersal of medications, and dissemination of information to guests and other volunteers. We are happy to work with the successful applicant to structure an internship program that will satisfy specific university requirements for credit, if desired. Internships can occur over spring and/or fall semesters (16 weeks each), and summer (12 weeks). Extensions are optional and desired for students that excel. Must be able to lift 50 pounds, stand for at least 3 hours, and be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications:

A student of �鶹Ů�� and member of ECOS in good standing
Excited to work with and care for marine animals
Able to meet deadlines
Strong work ethic
Willingness work independently and as a team member

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Hobe Sound Nature Center Wildlife Education & Program Development Intern��

Qualifications:

Applicants must be a current student pursuing a degree in environmental science, biology, education, zoology, or related fields.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
Applicants must agree to a background check.
Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
Applicants must be comfortable working in less-than-ideal conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat, humidity, sun exposure, and inclement weather.
Applicants must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
Applicants must be able to work well with audiences of all ages, including but not limited to local, national, and international visitors, staff, and volunteers.
Applicants must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Canva, and Google Workspace.
Applicants with experience in lesson plan development, conducting educational programs, and/or outreach is preferred but not required.

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Marine Megafauna Foundation Guitarfish Photo Identification Research��

About Marine Megafauna Foundation: The Marine Megafauna Foundation conducts on marine megafauna and uses scientific evidence to educate the public and government to influence long-lasting conservation strategies. Their scientific work focuses on the world’s most endangered ocean species, and how we can protect them and their habitats. Research programs focus on sharks, rays, and other unique and/or threatened ocean wildlife, including sea turtles and billfish. The Florida Manta Project (FMP) is an arm of the Marine Megafauna Foundation dedicated to studying Florida’s enigmatic rays, including manta rays and guitarfish.

Internship Description: The FMP has collected a database of almost 1000 guitarfish encounters. A recent graduate student verified that guitarfish have unique spot patterns on their face and body that can be used to identify individuals. The main responsibility of the MMF intern will be to upload the guitarfish database to Mantamatcher.org where they will use machine learning algorithms to match guitarfish individuals.

Duties:

Upload guitarfish database to and use machine learning algorithms to match individuals
Maintain database of guitarfish individuals, including how individual matches differ between semi-automated method and machine learning
Conduct guitarfish surveys by snorkeling at nearshore hardbottom study sites and collecting identification photos
Collect and organize guitarfish data submitted by citizen scientists
Potential to participate in reproductive study of guitarfish, which involves ultrasonography and lab work with blood samples
Potential to participate in boat-based surveys for manta rays and guitarfish and to gain experience in boat and drone operation

Location: Hybrid (part time work from home with opportunities to participate in field work in Palm Beach County); 10-20 hours per week

Qualifications:

A college student interested in pursuing a career in marine science research
Able to meet deadlines
Strong work ethic
Skill in following detailed instructions
Must be proficient in excel/google sheets and detail-oriented
Willingness to work independently and as a team member
Ability to work in Florida's adverse weather conditions including heat, humidity, cold, wind, rain, with exposure to sunlight and biting insects
Comfortable in and around the water
Since much of this internship will be working remotely and independently, student should be a self-starter and adept at time management.

Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) Research Internship��

About the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA): ORCA, a science-based conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by renowned deep-sea scientist Dr. Edie Widder in 2005 to address the large-scale deterioration of the near-shore marine ecosystem. ORCA’s technology-based scientific approach collects accurate and scientifically defensible data, provides data to the public and stakeholders in an easily accessible and understandable format, and engages communities in marine conservation action, with positive reinforcement for their efforts through feedback of monitoring data. We implement projects that track pollution to its source and collect actionable data that lead to measurable impacts in the Indian River Lagoon.

For more information on our Kilroy real-time monitoring network, Ecotoxicity (pollution mapping, quarterly sampling, etc.), One Health, and Land to Sea habitat restoration research, visit www.teamorca.org.

Internship Description: The ORCA Research Intern position is designed for students who are interested in gaining real-world experience in their related science field (marine science, microbiology, environmental science, habitat restoration, and conservation). Interns will work alongside ORCA scientists on ongoing ecotoxicity, one health, and habitat restoration research projects. This will include laboratory and field work, as well as literature reviews, and data analysis and interpretation.

Duties:

Follow detailed scientific procedures and QAQC protocols
Conduct literature reviews
Organize, input, analyze, and interpret data
Work with, train, and educate citizen scientists
Collect water and sediment samples
Conduct monitoring surveys and sampling at buffered or living shorelines
Laboratory analysis of samples (potentially including nutrient analysis, particle analysis, ELISAs, relative toxicity, etc.)

Qualifications/Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong work ethic
Flexibility
Critical thinking
Detail-oriented
Ability to work effectively independently and as a team member
Ability to work in the field including in heat, humidity, prolonged sun exposure, etc. either on land, on a boat, or in the water

Location: Vero Beach, Florida

Schedule: Preferred 20 hours/week but flexible with applicant’s schedule. Minimum 10 hours/week. Occasional weekend days or early mornings may be requested based on field work or events.

Ocean Rescue Alliance International Outreach Intern��

About Ocean Rescue Alliance International: Ocean Rescue Alliance International (ORAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring marine ecosystems through artificial reef technologies, coral restoration, environmental education, and community engagement. Through the Reef Discovery Center (RDC) and regional initiatives, ORAI advances coastal resilience by integrating marine science, restoration practices, and public education across South Florida.

Internship Description: This internship is structured as an experiential learning opportunity integrating environmental science coursework with applied nonprofit strategy, stakeholder engagement, environmental communications, and public-facing conservation programming. The Coastal Partnerships & Environmental Communications Intern will gain direct experience in:

Strategic partnership development
Sponsorship cultivation and outreach
Environmental communications and storytelling
Community engagement and tabling events
Limited supervised site exposure to understand restoration context
This position bridges environmental science with nonprofit growth strategy and
public engagement.

Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Partnerships & Sponsorship Development:

Research and identify mission-aligned businesses, NGOs, academic
institutions, and community partners
Draft professional outreach communications and sponsorship proposals
Assist in development of partnership decks and collaboration materials
Track engagement metrics and partnership pipeline progress
Support Adopt-a-Coral and LiveBlue sponsorship initiatives

Environmental Communications & Impact Reporting:

Draft newsletters, impact summaries, and program updates
Support storytelling around restoration milestones
Assist in translating scientific efforts into accessible public messaging
Contribute to post-event engagement summaries

Reef Discovery Center & Limited Site Exposure:

Assist with public-facing engagement at the Reef Discovery Center
Support interpretive discussions with visitors about coral restoration and coastal resilience
Participate in 1–2 supervised site surveys per month to understand restoration context
Assist in documenting site visits for communications purposes
Site participation is observational and documentation-focused; primary scientific monitoring remains under ORAI’s science team.

Community Outreach & Tabling Events:

Represent ORAI at university, municipal, and environmental outreach events
Engage attendees in discussions about marine conservation and coastal sustainability
Track outreach engagement metrics (contacts, sign-ups, participation)
Assist in preparation of outreach and tabling materials

Research & Program Development:

Research grant opportunities and partnership landscapes
Analyze regional environmental initiatives
Assist in developing strategic growth recommendations
Support evaluation of outreach effectiveness
Clerical tasks will not exceed 20% of internship responsibilities and will directly support learning objectives.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Junior or Senior enrolled in �鶹Ů�� ECOS or related environmental program 3.0 GPA or higher
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Interest in environmental sustainability, nonprofit leadership, or coastal resilience
Comfortable representing an organization at public events

Preferred but Not Required:

Experience in graphic design or content development
Social media or communications experience
Networking or event coordination experience

Schedule & Structure

10–20 hours per week
One semester commitment
Defined start and end dates per �鶹Ů�� WLW–ECOS guidelines
Hybrid structure combining remote work, Reef Discovery Center engagement, limited site exposure, and outreach events

Ocean Rescue Alliance International Restoration Intern��

About Ocean Rescue Alliance International:�� Ocean Rescue Alliance International (ORAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring marine ecosystems through artificial reef technologies, coral restoration, environmental education, and community engagement. Through the Reef Discovery Center (RDC) and regional initiatives, ORAI advances coastal resilience by integrating marine science, restoration practices, and public education across South Florida.

Internship Description: This internship is structured as an experiential learning opportunity integrating environmental science coursework with applied coral nursery support, supervised site surveys, restoration documentation, and public science communication.

The Education, Coral Restoration & Coastal Resilience Intern will gain direct

experience in:

Coral nursery support and restoration preparation
Supervised restoration site surveys (1–2 times per month)
Project documentation and educational media development
Public-facing environmental education
Coastal resilience program support
This position bridges restoration science and education, allowing the intern to observe and document reef conditions while strengthening public understanding of marine conservation.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Coral Nursery & Restoration Support

Assist with coral nursery organization and maintenance support
Aid in preparation of coral materials and restoration resources
Support organization of restoration-related materials and records

Supervised Site Surveys (1–2 per Month)

Participate in supervised restoration site visits under ORAI’s science monitoring team
Assist with visual surveys, observational documentation, and photographic records
Support collection of non-invasive site data as trained
Document site conditions for internal reporting and educational use
The intern will assist and observe under professional supervision; primary scientific monitoring remains the responsibility of ORAI’s science team

Project Documentation & Educational Media

Document ORAI restoration activities through images, short videos, and written summaries
Assist in developing educational and outreach assets based on restoration work
Translate scientific activities into accessible public communication materials

Reef Discovery Center Support

Assist in maintaining marine education exhibits and aquaria
Support interpretive discussions with visitors about coral biology and reef ecosystems
Assist in coordinating educational programming

Education & Public Engagement

Assist in development of K–12 and university-level educational materials
Support workshops and LiveBlue conservation events
Represent ORAI at select outreach/tabling events (minimum 2 per semester)
Track outreach engagement metrics

Program Documentation & Evaluation

Assist with documentation of restoration activities for reporting
Support evaluation of outreach impact and engagement metrics
Research coastal resilience concepts to inform programming
Clerical tasks will not exceed 20% of internship responsibilities and will directly support learning objectives.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong interest in marine conservation and coral reef ecology
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Comfortable working outdoors and in marine environments

Preferred but Not Required:

Scuba certification (if applicable to site access)
Experience in photography, video, or environmental documentation

Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Engagement Internship��

About the Palm Beach Zoo: The Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society is committed to saving wildlife in wild places. We work with local conservation partners to monitor swallow-tailed and snail kite populations and perform coral conservation in Florida.�� We assist with conservation work in Africa and Central America.�� Interested in helping us strengthen our conservation impact? We are working hard to inspire public to protect wildlife by connecting them to animals through engaging opportunities. Human dimension research has shown when people connect with something, in a meaningful way, they are more likely to be empowered to act on behalf of it. To that end, we are committed to showing every visitor how they can be a part of protecting animals in the wild. By joining our team, you will participate in and help us monitor the effectiveness of our programs on our densely forested Zoo grounds. Determined to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife, the Zoo has committed to operations that will reduce threats to wildlife like illuminating single use plastic water bottles, straws and bags from our retail areas and only serving certified Bird Friendly coffee.�� At the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society we embed diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equality in everything we do.

How the conservation action internship will help us save wildlife:

Learn how to conduct research and surveys to evaluate storytelling as an effective means of eliciting attitude change and engagement, measure guest’s understanding of actions they can take to protect wildlife, the role of zoos in conservation, and perceptions of animal wellbeing.
Work with our team to learn data analysis and understand how to generate insightful reports that will inform zoo wildlife-saving strategies and initiatives.
Learn to identify and gather social science and other related research literature through analysis of published academic articles.
Collaborate with zoo staff to develop and practice innovative engagement techniques that inspire conservation actions among guests.
Assist in the creation of compelling content that can be effectively communicated through storytelling.
Shadow staff and learn to present engaging pathway storytelling chats to interact with guests, gather feedback, and promote conservation actions.

Applicants interested in this position should be detail oriented, dependable, positive and exhibit excellent communication skills. The curriculum for this internship is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn the following conservation principles:��

Conservation in the wild��
Conservation in the Zoo
Conservation messaging to various audiences
Inspiring action in Zoo audience��
Saving animals in the wild through Zoo operations (Bird Friendly coffee, bird safe window treatments, single use plastic bottle, bag and straw free, recycled content toilet paper, etc.)��
Conservation planning and strategy��
Wildlife-saving action campaigns��
Effective communication through storytelling��

Internship Functions to Support Professional Development:

Assist with conservation and engagement programing��
Assist with the creation of conservation actions for engagement opportunities��
Assist with evaluation and monitoring of wildlife saving messaging/events/graphics��
Wildlife conservation research��
Assist with conservation action campaigns
Assist in the creation of compelling storytelling content.
Deliver engaging pathway chats to interact with guests, gather feedback, and promote conservation actions.

Qualifications:

2nd, 3rd, or 4th year college students working toward a conservation related career in a wildlife (ecology, biology, zoology etc.), social science, communication, or education-related field.
Must be comfortable presenting programs to all audiences and in offsite community events��
Creative skills to transform wildlife conservation material into entertaining, inspiring programs��
Ability to conduct research, compile, and analyze data. Proficient with Excel spreadsheets, basic computer skills; familiarity with Outlook, Word, Excel and Google Docs a plus
Excellent presentation skills with the ability to adapt to audiences of different ages and sizes��
Passion for conservation, sustainability, and wildlife��and a genuine interest in the mission and vision of Palm Beach Zoo.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Availability to commit to at least 200 hours, 3 days/week, 8 hours/day

Benefits:

Hands-on learning experience in conservation engagement within a leading zoo and conservation society.
Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals and organizations.
Opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that have a real impact on wildlife conservation.
Free access to the zoo during the internship period.

Palm Beach Zoo Wildlife Care and Conservation Internship��

Internship Description: This animal care internship provides students with opportunities to learn from Zoologists the best practices for animal care and guest education. Interns are responsible for selected aspects of care, keeping habitats clean and safe, ensuring animals are fed, and monitoring behavior. Specific assignments will vary.

Essential Position Functions:

Animal Care:

Clean and sanitize assigned animal enclosures
Prepare and feed out approved diets
Fill out daily records
Observe behavioral management initiatives including animal training and enrichment of assigned animals
Organize supplies and keep equipment in good repair

Guest Experience:

Perform exhibit talks as scheduled and assigned
Initiate informal talks and encounters
Participate in educational programs as assigned
Take part in research, document and present information when opportunities are available

Physical Requirements:

Must be physically able to stoop, bend, reach, climb, lift, carry or push at least 50 pounds in a South Florida climate
Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods

Skills and Competencies:

Customer Focus – Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and guests. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility.
Teamwork — Supports, facilitates, and participates in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals.
Diversity and Inclusion – Demonstrates behaviors that includes fairness, respect, inclusiveness, empathy, integrity, and ethical conduct. Fosters a climate and culture in which each person is accepted and has the opportunity to grow and develop. Practices behaviors that promote diversity and inclusion in dealings with and on behalf of the Zoo, consistent with laws, regulations and Zoo policies.
Initiative — Takes actions to achieve goals; self-starting and proactive; asserts oneself to support others in the achievement of their goals; originates action rather than responds only to the actions of others; anticipates the needs of both internal and external constituencies.
Integrity/Trust — Maintains social, ethical, and organizational values and norms; builds trust and confidence with the staff and with internal and external customers; respects the confidentiality of personal and proprietary information.
Concern for Detail — Pays attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item
Analysis—Obtains relevant information and identifies key issues and relationships from a base of information; compares data from different sources (both interactive and written); defines underlying problems or opportunities and recognizes trends;
Creative Thinking —Develops new strategies and to think outside the box in order to get the job done
Forward Thinking — Anticipates the implications and consequences of situations and takes appropriate action to be prepared for possible contingencies.
Planning and Organizing — Establishes a course of action with specific long-range goals; sets priorities among competing requirements and allocates resources in the most efficient and effective way; develops contingency plans that anticipate changes in the work environment.
Communication (oral and written) — Effectively expresses ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listens to individuals and groups; prepares and focuses presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; expresses ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.

The job specification requirements stated are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully.�� Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned, to ensure workload coverage.�� Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern��

About Pelican Harbor Seabird Station: Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is Miami’s premier native wildlife hospital evolving into a world-class wildlife rescue, rehab, release, and education center. Pelican Harbor Seabird Station was founded in 1980 for the purpose of caring for injured brown pelicans and has grown into an internationally recognized center for seabird rehabilitation. The Seabird Station accepts all native birds, mammals, and reptiles. Injured wildlife can be dropped off 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Internship Description: We offer a unique internship opportunity that allows students to receive hands-on experience in the operations & daily care of patients in a high-volume wildlife hospital. A PHSS intern is ideally an individual who wants to learn about all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation and is for those interested in a career in wildlife/veterinary medicine, rehabilitation, zookeeping, or environmental education.

Our program is hands-on; interns learn and will perform many aspects of rehabilitative care. They will have the opportunity to learn proper handling & restraint techniques of various taxa, administration of fluids, calculation/administration of medications, medication usage/prescription, perform various feeding techniques, assist in surgeries and other medical procedures, maintain patient records, and much more.

Qualifications: Students applying for this internship that would be strong candidates are those that are responsible, able to work in a fast-paced environment, self-starters and efficient in time management. Prior clinical experience/knowledge is a plus but not required.

Save the Chimps Care and Behavior Intern��

About Save the Chimps: Save the Chimps (STC) operates one of the largest non-profit chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. Located on 150 acres in Fort Pierce, the Sanctuary provides high quality clinical and lifetime care and enrichment for over 200 chimpanzees retired from research laboratories, the U.S. Air Force, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade.

Internship Description: Make a real difference by joining an experienced team of behavior & care technicians, who work collaboratively with our veterinary, maintenance, and commissary staff, to ensure that the chimpanzees in our care enjoy the best lives possible in their forever home.

In this hands-on learning experience, you will:

Learn how to identify the chimpanzees and their individual personalities
Participate in general husbandry of chimpanzee spaces
Learn the basics of chimpanzee behavior and put your knowledge to practice by observing their daily behaviors and interactions
Conduct formal observations and data collection, both in person and through video recordings
Learn about chimpanzee enrichment needs and then put your knowledge into practice by preparing enrichment, observing utilization, and performing enrichment assessments to determine efficacy.
Learn about sanctuary safety protocols and the various ways that we ensure a safe environment for both chimpanzees and humans
Attend staff meetings, staff training and educational sessions

Extra Perks of the Position:

Learn how to safely interact with the chimpanzees following STC’s no contact policy
Shadow the veterinary department for a day and observe a chimpanzee procedure
Review of your resume with HR & Volunteer Director

What You Need to Be Successful in This Role:

Interest in working with great apes
Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions
Tolerance of unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors (e.g. spitting, throwing feces, chimpanzee displays, etc.) and loud noises.
Ability to perform moderately physical tasks including lifting up to 25 lbs. individually and 50 lbs. team lift
Strong work ethic
Thrives in a collaborative team setting while having the ability to work well independently
Excellent communication skills
Strong attention to detail
Reliability and dependability
Ability to follow detailed safety protocols/procedures and follow detailed verbal and written instructions

Eligibility:

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must be able to provide evidence of immunization requirements: Tetanus (within 10 years), MMR, Flu (annual), Hep A/B full series, and Negative TB (annual)
Must be able to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per protocol.

Schedule:

Must be able to work a minimum of 20 hrs/week
Schedule is flexible based on STC needs and intern availability

Save the Water Research & Engineering Intern��

About Save the Water™: Save the Water™ (STW) is a global nonprofit dedicated to water quality research and public education. Our mission is to identify and remove harmful contaminants in water and raise awareness of their health impacts. With water contamination posing a major global crisis, our vision is simple yet powerful: contamination-free, healthy water for all. STW provides a meaningful platform for students to learn, contribute, and advocate for clean water solutions.

Internship Description: Save the Water™ is seeking passionate and dedicated undergraduate students for an Internship focused on water quality research. This opportunity offers hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and the chance to conduct research alongside experts in the field. It’s an ideal role for students eager to apply their academic knowledge to real-world environmental issues while gaining valuable skills and insight into water quality science.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist in collecting and analyzing water samples
Learn and apply laboratory techniques for water quality testing
Conduct literature reviews and support ongoing research projects
Document research findings and contribute to internal reports or publications
Collaborate with team members to support broader environmental initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

Current undergraduate student in environmental science, chemistry, biology, or a related field
Strong interest in water research, sustainability, or environmental protection
Attend 6 hours per week in the Save The Water™ lab in Marina Bay.
Basic understanding of scientific methods and lab safety practices
Good organizational, communication, and teamwork skills
Ability to commit to the duration of the internship (typically 6-8 weeks)

What You’ll Gain:

Hands-on lab and research experience
Mentorship from professionals in water science and environmental fields
A chance to contribute to meaningful environmental work
Interns who complete the program with dedication and high-quality work will be provided a reference letter as recognition of their contributions

Ideal Candidate:

Undergraduate students who are passionate about environmental science, water science, education, or nonprofit work.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Self-motivated and organized, with a collaborative spirit.

Sawgrass Nature Center Education and Administration Intern��

About the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital: The Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital is a private non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Our Center is located on 5 acres of land in the Sportsplex Park, donated by the City of Coral Springs (adjacent to the Sawgrass Expressway between Sample Road and Royal Palm Blvd.). The Nature Center is a place where people of all ages can come to observe birds, mammals, reptiles and native plants and learn to appreciate the beauty of nature in South Florida.��

Internship Description: Duties to include but not limited to:

Assistance in offsite programming.
Assistance in creation and execution of STEAM activities for Camp Wild.
Creation of content for the Sawgrass Nature Center’s blog
Assistance in daily activities at Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital including administrative, maintenance and docent responsibilities.

Qualifications: The intern must be a dedicated and driven individual who is willing to uphold the mission of the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital. Our mission is twofold:

To rehabilitate injured, sick, and orphaned wild, native animals and return them to their natural habitat. We also maintain an exhibit area for animals that cannot be released due to their injuries or non-native status.
To provide environmental education to youth and adults in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties both as outreach programs and in-house field trips for schools, scouts, civic groups, and special needs organizations.

Hours per Week: We are flexible with 10-20 hours per week depending on the availability of the student. Minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 20 hours per week.

PLEASE NOTE: The SNC is closed on Mondays. The intern’s availability would be restricted to Tuesday-Friday and, if possible, Saturdays and Sundays.

Job Location: Coral Springs, Florida

South Florida Water Management District Environmental Technician Internship��

About The South Florida Water Management District: The South Florida Water Management District is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts, managing water resources in a 16-county region that stretches from Orlando to the Florida Keys, serving a population of 9 million people.

Internship Description: The Lake and River Ecosystem section is looking for an enthusiastic intern who is eager to learn about the variety of opportunities available in the field of environmental studies. This internship will assist specifically with projects designed to monitor the health of a lake ecosystem, through sampling and studying different habitats and faunal communities. The primary project will focus on wading bird prey in the shallow marshes of Lake Okeechobee, by sampling macroinvertebrate and small fish communities in typical foraging habitats. The position will assist with collection of prey, processing in the lab, identifying the major types, and entering data for analysis. Similar opportunities will exist for monitoring phytoplankton communities in small mesocosms in the lake, sampling submerged aquatic vegetation, defining a variety of sediment types in the lake, and identifying major vegetation groups for aerial imagery analysis.

The intern will learn to assist with the collection, processing, data entry, analysis, and interpretation of scientific data. The field sites will be accessed by airboats, outboards, and vehicles, and will require some wading through remote marshes to collect samples. As such, applicants should be comfortable with wet, hot, muddy conditions, and with possible exposure to biting and stinging insects. All field outings will follow established safety protocols and be supervised by experienced personnel, who will provide appropriate gear for site conditions (life jacket, hearing protection, chest or hip waders, sunscreen, and water, etc.). We aim to provide an amazing learning experience, helping the selected applicant gain exposure to some of the opportunities available in the field of environmental science, and to begin building the base of expertise for future job or graduate school opportunities.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

Self-motivated and possess the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Willing to work outdoors in the South Florida heat, rain, and wind when necessary.
Able to work outside of normal office hours including nights and weekends, on occasion.
Excellent communication skills.
Well organized & Strong attention to detail.
Coursework relevant to the position but no experience is required.

South Florida Wildlife Center Rotational Department Internship��

About the South Florida Wildlife Center: The South Florida Wildlife Center was founded in 1969 for the purpose of caring for native wildlife in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. We are the highest volume wildlife care facility in Florida treating near 8,000 animals per year from nearly 250 different species. We are an independently operated non-profit 501(c)(3) charity that operates solely on donations. We are not affiliated or supported by any government or humane agency. South Florida Wildlife Center is a wildlife trauma care hospital and rehabilitation facility, staffed by certified veterinary, animal care, and education professionals. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned animals, educate the public about environmental issues and foster a peaceful co-existence with wildlife in our local communities. Beyond our lifesaving rescue and rehabilitation programs, we are a trusted resource that assists our local communities in a variety of ways. We provide educational programming to local schools, community agencies, and youth programs. We provide wildlife rescue training for local municipality agencies including law enforcement and fire rescue.�� The South Florida Wildlife Center’s Board of Directors is comprised of nationally recognized animal experts, passionate animal advocates, and business leaders who are actively engaged to further our mission.

Internship Description: This internship provides a well-rounded rotation through multiple departments at SFWC, offering immersive, hands-on experience in the daily operations of a busy wildlife trauma hospital and rehabilitation center. Interns will gain practical knowledge in key areas including wildlife-human conflict mitigation, wildlife medicine, rehabilitation, and release. The program begins with a 4-week placement in the Outreach Department, assisting staff with the intake of injured and orphaned wildlife. Interns then spend 12 weeks in the Rehabilitation Department (including time in the seasonal Nursery) before concluding with 4 weeks alongside the Veterinary Department, participating in patient triage and treatment.��

Expected Work Conditions: The work environment includes both indoor, climate-controlled spaces and outdoor settings that can involve extreme heat, high humidity, and occasional storms. Some duties may occur in areas with dense native

vegetation, so individuals should be mindful of any allergies to local plants. Exposure to mosquitoes and other insects should also be expected.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excited to work with and care for animals
Able to meet deadlines and strong work ethic
Willingness work independently and as a team member
Previous volunteer experience with animals or at SFWC is preferred.
Must be 18 or older to be considered for this position.

Wild Dolphin Project Outreach Intern��

About the Wild Dolphin Project: The Wild Dolphin Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operates a long-term study in the Bahamas during the summer and along the southeast Florida coast in non-summer months. To this end, our staff, boat crew, and students are engaged in dolphin surveys, dolphin photography (both at the surface and underwater), data collection and analysis, and scientific writing.

Internship Description: From May through September, our research team focuses on collecting field data at our study site in the Bahamas. While much of the summer is spent in the field, there is still plenty of research work to be completed in the office. We are seeking a Research Intern to work 1-2 days per week in our North Palm Beach office throughout the summer. This position offers behind-the-scenes experience in marine mammal research and data management.

You may be involved in:

Conducting a bottlenose dolphin photo ID matching project using photos from previous seasons
Updating photo ID binders and related materials
Processing 360o camera footage and video clips
Digitizing datasheets from previous field seasons
Editing GoPro camera footage to highlight behavioral clips

Preferred Interests & Skills: Photo identification; video editing or processing software; proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites; familiarity with Mac computers; strong attention to detail; and excellent organizational skills

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WLW-ECOS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2026 SUMMER INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

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American Shore & Beach Preservation Association Beach Preservation Intern��

Dream in Green Science Communication Intern��

Dream in Green WE-LAB Program Coordinator��

Hobe Sound Nature Center Wildlife Education & Program Development Intern��

Florida Oceanographic Society Animal Care and Life Support Intern��

Hobe Sound Nature Center Wildlife Education & Program Development Intern��

Marine Megafauna Foundation Guitarfish Photo Identification Research��

Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) Research Internship��

Ocean Rescue Alliance International Outreach Intern��

Ocean Rescue Alliance International Restoration Intern��

Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Engagement Internship��

Palm Beach Zoo Wildlife Care and Conservation Internship��

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern��

Save the Chimps Care and Behavior Intern��

Save the Water Research & Engineering Intern��

Sawgrass Nature Center Education and Administration Intern��

South Florida Water Management District Environmental Technician Internship��

South Florida Wildlife Center Rotational Department Internship��

Wild Dolphin Project Outreach Intern��