Ecological Crew Lead Internship Summer 2026

Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) is seeking current undergraduate graduate students.

As an Ecology Crew Lead, you will lead an ecological crew in collecting vegetation monitoring data and gaining leadership experience with field-based data sampling efforts. You will develop or receive training in professional, entry-level skill sets in applied ecology under the guidance of the Natural Resources Group.

The Ecology Crew works a 4x10 schedule with start times ranging from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.; however, occasional overtime - while minimal - is expected due to the inherent nature of fieldwork. You will be based at the Idaho Falls campus and conduct independent team-based fieldwork on the INL Site, located 45 miles west of town.

You are expected to spend most of your time outdoors conducting fieldwork in a variety of weather conditions with little access to facilities. When available, you may receive opportunities to work on a group poster project, attend field tours and intern networking activities.

You will develop and receive training in professional skills in applied ecology in one or more of the following job activities:

• Foster a collaborative, whole-team work environment by balancing individual skillsets, strategically resolving logistical challenges inherent to fieldwork, and participating in leadership training and weekly Internship Mentor meetings.
• Lead crew to conduct vegetation sampling to observe long-term plant composition and structure
• Create a field work schedule and coordinate logistics for crew
• Collect and oversee the collection of ecological data on electronic devices with industry standard software (Excel, ArcGIS Collector, etc.) and on paper datasheets
• Use experience in and demonstrate plant identification to assist the crew to identify native, introduced, and weedy plant species of the sagebrush steppe ecosystem
• Collect ecological data on electronic devices with industry standard software (Excel, ArcGIS Collector, etc.) and on physical paper records
• Ensure crew compliance with all federal and state motor vehicle laws and company safety standards while operating vehicles on highways and on unimproved roads over rugged backcountry terrain
• Demonstrate 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
• You will be sent to a First Aid and CPR training during internship to obtain or renew required medical certifications

The INL Intern Poster Session is an opportunity for student interns to highlight and present their summer research projects and educational experiences. Ecology Mentors will offer three core literature examples from which the Ecology Crew will collaboratively select a topic to investigate. The Ecology Crew is expected to deliver a final group poster at the INL Internship Poster Session.

As a Crew Lead, you are responsible for guiding the Ecology Crew through the successful completion of the poster project, managing tight deadlines, and navigating challenges that reflect real-world scientific collaboration. You'll support the Ecology Crew in developing the poster, from hypotheses development and data analysis to layout design and presentation. Effective leadership in this role means recognizing and leveraging each intern's strengths and interests to delegate tasks strategically and foster a collaborative, skill-building environment. This means the Crew Lead is a facilitator - not an expert in every academic aspect - but someone who will guide each intern to take ownership of tasks aligned with their goals and expertise.

To achieve this goal, you are expected to:

• Lead the team in selecting a poster topic based on one of the core literature examples
• Create a phased writing schedule with iterative review cycles to meet internal and external deadlines
• Facilitate poster workshops to encourage peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing
• Assign tasks that align with each intern's ecological skills, strengths and interests
• Present the final product at the INL Intern Poster Session

Minimum Requirements:

• Enrolled full time student status at an accredited college or university: Undergraduate
• Seeking a degree in Ecology, Botany, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources, Rangeland Management, Wildlife Management, or Environmental Science
• Possess a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average
• Authorization to work in the U.S. (including CPT and OPT)
• Must be available to begin work by May 18th
• Valid driver's license required

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 ($26.16/hour - $31.47/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 6,200 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 nearly 700 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.

Physical Requirements The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, operate a computer keyboard or type, handle materials, or reach with hands and arms performing the essential functions of the classification. The duties require sitting for long periods. The employee must occasionally lift 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, conduct research and inspect materials. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification includes those which permit the employee to discern verbal instructions, communicate effectively in person, by telephone or electronic mail. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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