Environmental Intern - Wildlife

About the role

Environmental Intern Westwood Professional Services, Inc. The Environmental Wildlife Intern will join a team of biologists supporting pre-construction and post-construction wildlife studies for utility-scale wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects. Projects range from raptor nest and avian use surveys to bat acoustic monitoring and threatened and endangered species assessments for renewable energy developers, IPPs, and utility clients. This position offers a direct opportunity to apply wildlife biology and ecology coursework to real-world renewable energy development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field wildlife surveys, including avian point counts, raptor nest surveys, and incidental wildlife observations.
• Assist with bat acoustic monitoring, including equipment deployment, maintenance, and data downloads.
• Record and organize field survey data using GPS units, mobile data collection applications, and standardized datasheets.
• Support the preparation of survey reports, habitat assessments, and biological opinions submitted to state and federal agencies.
• Help identify wildlife species, sign, and habitat features in the field under the guidance of Senior Biologists.
• Travel to project sites, often in remote locations and during early morning, evening, or overnight hours, to support field data collection.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, agency representatives, and project team members.
• Willingness to learn in a flexible, cross-disciplinary work environment.
• Willingness to perform physically demanding fieldwork in varied outdoor conditions, including early morning, evening, and inclement weather surveys.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Relevant industry experience through coursework, field research, or prior internships in wildlife biology, ornithology, or ecological field surveys.
• Experience with GPS/GIS field tools (ArcGIS Field Maps, Trimble), wildlife acoustic monitoring software (Kaleidoscope, SonoBat), or species identification proficiency.

Pay

Pay: $18-$23