Natural Resources Intern

SWCA is seeking a Natural Resources Intern for Summer 2026 to support both office and field-based natural resources projects in Austin, Texas. The Natural Resources Intern will support variety of field-based tasks and will work with talented, multi-disciplinary teams of natural resource professionals. Established in 1981, SWCA has a long-standing presence in the United States, and is known for sound science and creative solutions.

The Natural Resources Intern position requires a demonstrated interest in natural science and ecology, a good attitude, willingness to learn, flexibility, and good communication skills. This position provides great opportunities for a Natural Resources Intern to enter and launch a career in environmental sciences, supported by leadership focused on the professional development of team members.

This internship will occur during the summer of 2026 (early June to mid-August). Candidates who can start earlier than June 2026 and those who can remain past August may provide additional value and are also encouraged to apply.

This is a paid, full-time internship. Interns will be paid $19.95/hour because of the office location.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as is reasonable. We anticipate a large flow of qualified candidates, and we will close the posting as soon as the individual office positions are filled.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

Please submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.

Our Vision (the North Star): Help drive SWCA to be the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee ownership.

Core Values: We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals who are committed to our culture.

Purpose: Our company's purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

This Natural Resources Intern position is primarily field-based with some opportunities to work in office as needed. The Intern will support project managers and field leads with a variety of natural resources surveys, such as conducting migratory surveys, wildlife surveys, botanical surveys, etc. There will be opportunities for office work, data clean-up, reporting, and other office-oriented tasks to support the Natural Resources team. Field work will occur throughout central Texas, including nearby office locations and/or in other nearby states as needed. Travel costs are reimbursed according to client and federal guidelines. The Natural Resources Intern may be expected to hike for extended periods, sometimes with colleagues or solo.

Required

• Currently enrolled in a college or university, pursuing a bachelor's degree in an environmental-related field with coursework in environmental sciences, biology, wildlife biology, ecology, or similar topics, or a recent graduate within 12 months of May 1, 2026.
• Applicants who are pursuing a Master's degree will also be considered. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible for this program.
• Ideal candidates are enrolled in a central Texas-based college or university or reside within a 1-hour drive of our Austin, TX office.
• Experience with natural resources fieldwork (e.g., environmental, natural, water, biological, ecological, etc.) through classwork, honors thesis or Capstone projects, professional/intern experience, or volunteer work.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Must have good communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Must have the ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.

Important for Field-Based roles:

• This position is heavily field-based with the potential for up to 10-day stretches on site. Transportation will be provided as well as lodging while in the field and per diem for food.
• Ideal candidates will be able to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and have the ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Candidates must be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions, effectively executing tasks, and conforming to shifting priorities and demands.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required. Experience driving ATVs or UTVs that are not fully enclosed is helpful.

Helpful Skills:

• Familiarity with GPS devices and digital data collection, and/or mapping software such as ArcGIS.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.

In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good-faith pay ranges (above) on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. An intern based in Austin, TX will be paid $19.95/hour.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

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