Intern - Applied Economics

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Applied Economics Intern for Summer 2026 in West Chester, PA. The intern will assist with natural resources and socio-economic analyses for various clients, gaining experience in environmental consulting. This paid position requires reliable commuting to the office and involves 40 hours of work per week. Candidates must be pursuing a related bachelor's or master's degree and possess strong quantitative and communication skills.
About the opportunity
SWCA is seeking an Applied Economics Intern for Summer 2026 to support various natural resources and socio-economics analyses for our private and public sector clients. This internship will not be working with the financial sector.
You will receive a preview of different aspects of environmental consulting such as client relationships, proposal development, analysis, report writing, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. Established in 1981, SWCA has a long-standing presence in the United States, and is known for sound science and creative solutions.


This internship will occur during summer 2026 (10 weeks from June 1, 2026 – August 14, 2026). Candidates who can start earlier than June 2026 will be considered and those who can remain past August may provide additional value. In addition to project work, the internship program includes regularly scheduled presentations by SWCA leaders.


This is a paid, hourly, non-exempt position that is scheduled to be 40 hours per week. Interns will be paid $19.00 per hour. The internship is based out of our Philadelphia, PA office and the intern must be able to commute reliably to West Chester, Pennsylvania. The position will be either an in-office or hybrid work environment during the internship period.


Application deadline: Applications will be due on April 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT.


What you will accomplish
The intern activities will support economics analyses tasks and projects for a variety of clients, including government agencies, oil/gas, energy infrastructure (e.g., transmission lines), data centers, renewable energy generation, mining, and water management.

Assist in creating baseline social and economic profiles for areas where projects may be developed
Support assessment of project impacts on housing markets, labor markets, and other socioeconomic conditions
Develop and maintain databases and excel files
Conduct quality assurance checks on computations
Apply economic thought processes to relevant questions that come up along the way

Experience and qualifications for success:

Currently enrolled in a college or university, pursuing a bachelor's degree in economics, environmental economics, applied economics, or a closely related field, or a recent graduate within 12 months of May 1, 2026. Equivalent experience may also be considered.
Applicants who are pursuing a Master's degree will also be considered. Ph.D candidates are not eligible through this program.
Demonstrated quantitative aptitude, including experience working with data in Excel and at least one statistical or analytical platform (e.g., R, Stata, Python); comfort checking calculations and following documented analytical procedures.
Interest in applied economics for environmental, energy, or infrastructure projects, including exposure to benefit–cost analysis, socioeconomic impact analysis, or regional/workforce economic modeling.
Strong written communication skills, with the ability to clearly summarize methods, assumptions, and results for technical audiences and regulatory or agency review.
Ability to work effectively on interdisciplinary teams, supporting economists, scientists, and planners by integrating economic information with environmental and policy considerations.

Why Work at SWCA?
We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including a 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).
If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require a confidential conversation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.


SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges (above) on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. An intern based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be paid $19.00 per hour.


EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environme