Rockies & Plains Field Conservation Internship

The Rockies & Plains Field Conservation Internship at Defenders of Wildlife offers a 10-week summer program focused on conservation work, specifically wolverine reintroduction in Colorado. Interns will engage in education, outreach, and data collection while collaborating with the Field Conservation team. Preference is given to candidates in the Denver area, but remote work is possible. The position pays $20/hour and requires a commitment to the full internship duration.
INTERNSHIP TITLE: Rockies & Plains Field Conservation Intern
Pay: $20/hour
FLSA: Non-Exempt, Temporary Full-Time
DEPARTMENT: Field Conservation
LOCATION: Denver, CO
TIMEFRAME: June 2nd – August 8th, 2025 (10-Week Program)
LAST REVISED: January 2025

POSITION SUMMARY
Defenders of Wildlife’s 10-week summer internship program will provide interns with in-depth exposure to Defenders’ conservation work, the opportunity to acquire specific skills needed to pursue their professional goals, the opportunity to engage in hands-on research/projects in their field of study, and the opportunity to build professional networks. The program will also provide students with cross-disciplinary exposure, one-to-one mentor matching, and peer-to-peer support.
We are seeking a passionate and driven intern to help co-lead education and outreach events focused on the reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado. This unique opportunity will allow you to gain hands-on experience in environmental education, public speaking, and community engagement while working closely with Defenders’ Rockies and Plains Field Conservation team and our partners. You will help increase public knowledge about the importance of wolverine reintroduction efforts and the broader implications for biodiversity conservation in Colorado. This position will mainly involve presenting information at community events about wolverines, collecting survey data from participants, and assisting with advocacy opportunities. The data collected at these events will be used for social science research on effective environmental outreach. Preference for candidates able to work in the Denver area but fully remote status is possible.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Current undergraduate student at an accredited 2 or 4-year institution.
Experience: Commitment to or demonstrated interest in wildlife conservation and public interest in environmental work; commitment to or demonstrated interest in expanding inclusion and engagement with communities in the conservation movement.
Prior experience in educational campaigns, science communication, or community coordination; the ability to engage the public in meaningful ways; and an interest in the advancement of social science research. Ideal candidates will have familiarity with statistical analyses and research, such as statistics courses, poster presentations, and literature reviews.

Requirements:
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to commit to the full 10-week term of the program
• Strong writing, research, and verbal communication skills
Application Materials:
• CV or resume
• Cover letter
Physical Activities and Demands
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Visit www.defenders.org to apply.
All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised this position is NON union eligible.