Ecological Crew Lead Internship Summer 2025

Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality group is seeking current undergraduates or master's graduate students to lead an ecology crew in collecting vegetation monitoring data and gaining leadership experience with field-based data sampling protocols. You will be based in the Idaho Falls campus and conduct field-based ecology work on the INL Site, 45 miles west of town. You will develop and receive training for professional skills in applied ecology in one or more of the following job activities:

• Lead crew to conduct vegetation sampling to observe long-term plant composition and structure 
• Create a field work schedule and coordinate logistics for crew
• Oversee the collection of ecological data on electronic devices with industry standard software (Excel, ArcGIS Collector, etc.) and on physical paper records
• Use experience in plant identification to assist crew in identifying sagebrush steppe flora native, introduced, and weedy plant species 
• Hold crew to safety standards to operate 4WD vehicles on highways and on unimproved roads over rugged backcountry terrain
• Demonstrate and teach crews navigation skills to access remote sampling locations with compasses, paper maps, and/or GPS units
• Hike off-trail and transport survey equipment to remote sampling locations
• Make observations and record data on plant survivorship and/or post-wildland fire vegetation surveys
• Assist in wildlife, rare plant, and NEPA survey efforts under permanent staff guidance
• Ability to obtain a First Aid and CPR training during internship
• You are expected to perform field work activities outdoors in a range of weather conditions

The INL Intern Poster Session is an opportunity for student interns to highlight and present their summer research projects and educational experiences. Crew Leads are expected to manage a group project to develop their crew’s poster and will develop or receive training for professional skills in applied ecology in some or all of the following office-based job activities:  

• Identify a project topic
• Delegate tasks to crew members
• Develop poster schedule
• Ensure poster deadlines are met

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Enrolled full time student status at an accredited college or university: Undergraduate/ Graduate Master's Degree Program
• Seeking degree in: ecology, botany, conservation biology, natural resources, rangeland management, wildlife management or other closely related fields
• Complete this application, which is used to place students based on their academic interests, coursework, knowledge and interpersonal skills
• Have the ability to pass a background check
• Must be registered and eligible to participates in their university co-op education program
• Possess a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average
• Possess authorization to work in the U.S.

Application Requirements:

• Current Resume or CV
• Unofficial Transcripts (include current and completed degree programs)
• Current class schedule and number of credits

Compensation and Benefits:

Undergraduate Internships ($25.65/hour - $30.70/hour)

Masters Internships and PhD Internships Pre-Candidacy ($31.75/hour - $34.06/hour)

PhD Internships Post-Candidacy ($33.75/hour - $36.06/hour)

Eligible interns are provided paid holiday time off, and many of our internships offer travel reimbursements.

Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on degree field and level of education.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 5,800 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation’s nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

INL hosts over 550 undergraduate and graduate students each year to support INL’s mission. Opportunities for interns at INL range from nuclear engineering to cybersecurity and include non-scientific positions in several operations and business subject areas.

Selective Service Requirements To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Women and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Reasonable Accommodation We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

INL does not accept resumes from third-party vendors unsolicited.

Questions? UniversityRecruiting@inl.gov