Pollinator Conservation Biology Intern - ONSITE - USFWS Michigan Field Office Complex

Location: East Lansing,Michigan,United States

Start/End Dates: May 11, 2026 - October 23, 2026

Compensation: $680 per week + $1500 per month for housing + $250 commuter stipend

Medical insurance is provided upon request

Application Due: March 15, 2026

Environment for the Americas seeks to engage young professionals in natural resource careers.

You must be the following (additional requirements):

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a veteran
• Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
  
• A two-year college graduate

* A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.  

Position Description:

The Pollinator Conservation Biology Intern will assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  (USFWS) Michigan Field Office in advancing a variety of conservation, research, and outreach efforts related to native pollinators. This may include fieldwork, lab work, data analysis, GIS-based habitat assessments, environmental DNA sampling, and development of outreach materials. The intern may also support public engagement through educational events and community science initiatives.  

Due to seasonal and ecological constraints, as well as evolving conservation priorities, the intern’s responsibilities may vary and will be designed to support the most pressing pollinator conservation needs at the time of placement. These may include work focused on a range of taxa or habitat types, aligned with national, regional, or local USFWS objectives.

This internship provides practical experience in applied conservation biology, supports  the development of professional skills, and contributes to ongoing pollinator conservation efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with a variety of investigations including the design, collection, and analysis of biological data to assess the effectiveness of propagation and conservation management efforts for threatened and endangered species and pollinators.
• Develop and maintain biological databases; prepare spreadsheets or relational databases for purposes of data collection, reduction, and manipulation.
• Create and conduct pollinator education programs with the opportunity to assist with USFWS outreach events.  
• Assist with outreach at community events by engaging with the public and provide educational materials.
• Develop content for garden signs and design a pollinator seed packet mix for distribution to partners, highlighting important pollinator plants. 
• Determine local and regional seed availability of important pollinator plants. 
• Collect pollinator environmental DNA (eDNA) in conjunction with USFWS Ecological Services and the Great Lakes Pollinator Task Force for species identification.   
• Prepare eDNA samples for processing.
• Develop a draft white paper in coordination with USFWS staff biologists on the methodology and results of pollinator eDNA collections (dependent on when results are received from partners completing the eDNA processing).

Qualifications:

Relevant fields of study include: biology, ecology, environmental science, or related disciplines.

• Completion of two years of college-level coursework including several classes related to biology, ecology, and/or environmental studies.
• U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.govand selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.