Environment for the Americas

Start/End Dates: May 11, 2026 – October 2, 2026 (21 weeks)
Compensation: $650 per week; housing provided; round-trip transportation to the site included
Application Due: February 20, 2026 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

The Environment for the Americas Internship Program aims to engage young professionals in careers related to conservation and natural resource management. Applicants must meet the following additional requirement:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

*No personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description: 

We are seeking an enthusiastic intern to engage visitors and local communities in the conservation of threatened species. This position focuses on cultivating stewardship of coastal birds, marine mammals, marine invertebrates, and plants by increasing public understanding of their role at U.S. Forest Service sites.

The intern will work closely with wildlife specialists and collaborate with a network of professionals and community partners in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and surrounding Forest Service sites. Prior knowledge of bird conservation is not required; however, a willingness to learn is essential.

The successful applicant will enjoy interacting with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Opportunities to participate in field data collection on birds, plants, and invertebrates may be available, and specific projects may vary from year to year. This internship offers valuable career shadowing and hands-on experience in wildlife biology and environmental education.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate environmental interpretation programs for visitors and school groups
• Increase public awareness of marine, avian, plant, and habitat conservation
• Research and develop formal and informal presentations for diverse audiences
• Assist staff with ongoing educational and field projects (plant, bird, and/or invertebrate surveys)
• Remove anthropogenic food sources that attract wildlife
• Encourage the public to reduce litter
• Conduct community outreach to promote educational programs
• Participate in community events
• Contribute to EFTA’s intern blog by sharing internship experiences and project updates
• Attend mandatory training at Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, from May 11–17, 2026.

Qualifications:

Relevant fields of study: Environmental education, wildlife biology, marine biology, or related disciplines

• Experience with interpretive programs and/or informal education
• Interest in coastal ecology and birds
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in variable weather conditions, including rainy, windy, and hot or sunny environments
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.