Americas Stakeholder Program Internship

Earthwatch Institute is an international, non-profit organization that engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

As the largest non-profit organization supporting “citizen science,” in its 40-year history, Earthwatch has sponsored over 1350 field research projects in 55 countries across the globe. Earthwatch expeditions and field research centers link volunteers with international scientists working within four Priority Research Areas: Climate Change, Oceans, Ecosystem Services, and Cultural Heritage. Since 1971, Earthwatch-sponsored research projects have contributed more than 10 million hours of field research time.

The Americas Program team is responsible for stewardship of the relationship with our Earthwatch Scientists and ensuring a safe, inspiring, and educational experience for the public, youth and educator volunteers. The Americas Stakeholder Program Intern will assist members of the Americas Program team in a variety of projects related to expedition management, fellowships management, and the development of outreach and curriculum support materials.

We are recruiting interns for the following initiatives:

  • Research information for website, outreach and recruitment to educators;
  • Review and process fellowship reports and evaluations;
  •  Assisting with project management, including developing project emergency response plans, country-level threat assessments, and risk assessments;
  • Assisting with program content, materials and logistics for field programs;
  • Collating and evaluating volunteer feedback in order to apply lessons learned to improve the volunteer experience on Earthwatch projects;
  • Capturing the Measures of Success data and the evaluation/Common Measure response data.
  • Support in the communications with applicants/participants.

Skills and experience:

  • Work experience in an office or educational setting is a plus;
  • Highly organized, keen attention to detail and a strong ability to multitask and meet deadlines;
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a cooperative international team;
  • Flexibility and adaptability in order to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment;
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and abide by the data protection guidelines;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web research;
  • Interest in science, environmental issues and experiential education;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Interested applicants are welcome to send the following materials to us-interns@earthwatch.org; fax 978-897-0935; mail HR Earthwatch Institute, 114 Western Ave, Boston, MA 02134, U.S.A

  1. A current resume, detailing relevant experience
  2. A 1-page Cover Letter illustrating your qualifications, why you are interested in this internship, and what you are looking to gain from this internship.
  3. Your availability (days per week, and months of availability). 
  4. Full contact information for three personal and/or professional references.

Earthwatch interns can take part in the Intern Credit Program in which they receive credits to use towards a qualified Earthwatch expedition and are invited to participate in all Earthwatch activities. An intern must work the full minimal 120 hours committed to be eligible to use any of their credits. We also encourage use of the internship for academic credit, thesis, or practicum work towards degree or certificate programs.

This position is based in our Boston office at 114 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134.

Due to the size of the program and limited time and financial resources, we are only able to accept Massachusetts based applicants into the program, or those with a confirmed place to stay within commuting distance to Boston. Applicants must currently be eligible to work in the United States. We do not have the capacity to secure a visa for international interns. We are more than happy to provide letters of acceptance to support the intern's application for a visa, but we cannot provide advice, expertise, or staff time to assist further with this matter. All interns are required to have individual health insurance. Placement will be subject to qualifications and availability.

Earthwatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Intern Program

Earthwatch Institute offers unique, year round internship experiences in our Boston, Massachusetts office, for people of all ages combining office and field-based components.

Earthwatch Institute is an international, non-profit organization that engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. We believe that achieving a sustainable environment requires objective scientific data from the field, but also that the scientific process must engage the general public if it is to change the world.

An Earthwatch internship will allow you to gain valuable work experience, build your professional skill sets for future employment, and broaden your career networks. You will be exposed to the different scientific disciplines and the processes of funding applied conservation worldwide. You will have an insider’s view as to how the day-to-day business of a non-profit organization differs from the corporate world. Witness firsthand the cultural relations between Earthwatch headquarters and our affiliate offices in the U.K., Australia, and Japan.

We need interns to perform a variety of tasks. These include: corresponding with researchers and volunteers, reading and summarizing new project proposals, web searches, editing and preparing expedition briefings for our field projects, community outreach, and marketing, archiving and cataloguing our vast slide library, grant writing, and assembling materials for training activities.

As an intern you will:

  • receive a written job description outlining the special project or job assigned to you
  • be matched with a staff member who will serve as your supervisor
  • have definitive start and end dates
  • be required to commit a minimum of 120 hours of work over the course of the internship
  • be required to report out your work to a group
  • not receive any compensation remuneration for your work.

You will be invited to participate in all Earthwatch related activities from guest lecturers to social events. Interns fill a vital role in our organizational structure and we will treat you accordingly.

Intern Credit Program - Interns are eligible to receive credits which can be used towards a qualified Earthwatch expedition, an exciting opportunity to participate in important field research projects. For a contribution of at least 120 hours, the intern will receive $600 worth of credits; for at least 250 hours, $1250 worth of credits; and for at least 300 hours, the intern will receive $1500 worth of credits. All credits are good for one fiscal year after completion of the internship. An intern must work the full minimal 120 hours committed to be eligible to use any of their credits. Intern credits are not transferable, and will cap at $1500. No additional credits will accrue even if the intern continues their service to the organization.

Participating on an international or domestic Earthwatch expedition, you will be working side-by-side with scientists and a small team of volunteers to perform applied field research. In addition to gaining field research and travel experience you will most likely be part of a multi-cultural, diverse age group team, which allows for a greater experience and interesting dinner conversation! We encourage you to review our latest projects on our website.

We welcome both USA citizens and international interns. Due to the size of our program and limited time and financial resources, we are only able to accept applicants who already have housing in Massachusetts (within commuting distance to Boston). We do not have the capacity to secure a visa for international interns. We are more than happy to provide letters of acceptance to support the intern's application for a visa, but we cannot provide advice, expertise, or staff time to assist further with this matter.

 

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