Sustainability Learning 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 1,350 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 learning team focuses on building a worldwide network of environmental leaders who value the environment and prioritize it in their everyday choices and decision making, and who have an authentic conviction and passion which influences others to do the same. These leaders will enable communities, organizations and businesses to make their policies, processes and practices more sustainable.

The team is responsible for managing the full life cycle (scoping, design & development, pilot, roll out, continuous improvement and impact evaluation) of our learning programs, in line with Earthwatch’s learning principles and contributing actively to Earthwatch’s learning community of practice to grow our organizational capacity to deliver transformational learning programs across a range of audiences.

We are recruiting interns for the following initiatives:

  • Support the Senior Learning Manager with scoping out & agreed learning program aims, objectives, outputs & outcomes
  • Assist to develop learning modules, process and materials, to include pre-work, in field & post field delivered through appropriate media
  • Research information and materials to include and use on different learning modules;
  • Support the Senior Learning Manager to ensure effective learning impact evaluation of learning programs, to include:
    • identify the learning measure of success for each program, building from Earthwatch core measures of success
    • leading on internal and external learning impact evaluation studies & reports
    • producing and maintaining learning histories for learning programs, incorporating feedback from multiple perspectives

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;
  • Experience of delivering experiential learning programs, facilitating participatory processes and group learning and development is a plus;
  • 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;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the environmental and sustainability agendas, with the ability to apply your skills and experience to the sustainability context;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web research;
  • 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

  • A current resume, detailing relevant experience
  • 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.
  • Your availability (days per week, and months of availability).
  • 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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