NRES Career Information

Resources related to careers in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

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The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (https://nres.illinois.edu) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Visiting Fisheries Research Coordinator (NRES). 

The summer internship will run from May 27^th through July 25^th, 2025. Individuals with ties to Illinois’ sixth district are strongly encouraged to apply. 

These 8-month internships are a great opportunity for post-bacs (especially, but not limited to 2025 graduates) interested in gaining hands-on research experience before graduate school in ecology, evolution, botany, natural resources or related fields.

The farm internship gives students hands-on work experience at the farm and aims to teach our interns about the essential parts of vegetable production while thinking about sustainable farming at large. This internship will expand your horticultural skills and knowledge, developing applied skills in design, marketing, food handling, infrastructural maintenance and land stewardship. 

Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo and Dr. Jim Dalling are recruiting six undergraduate students as hourly workers to assist with the ForestGeo re-census of Trelease Woods this summer.

Memphis Zoo’s Department of Conservation & Research is offering a paid amphibian internship in conservation biology. The position is available for upper-level undergraduate students and students 1-2 years post-college. This internship offers a unique research experience in a zoo setting working with scientists conducting cutting edge and frontline projects to save wildlife. The internship will provide valuable training in laboratory techniques, experimental design, and data analysis to prepare for many professional careers in general biology, conservation, ecology, and veterinary sciences. Please visit www.sheilapoo.com to learn more about the research in the Amphibian Lab. 

The Urban Land Stewardship and Engagement Intern will have a summer experience working on community-based conservation efforts happening in Milwaukee with a focus on neighborhood-based tree planting projects and other land stewardship and green infrastructure maintenance opportunities with TNC and its partners. This is a full-time 35 hours a week summer internship position working from June to August 2025. This position is paid $17.00 per hour. 

We are seeking four motivated and independent undergraduate students to join the fishing technology research team based out of Trout Lake Station. 

Improvements in angler technology over time have the potential to increase angler success and fish catchability. Recent research testing the influences of angler technology on fish catch rates has been mixed, with some studies showing a positive influence of technology use and others with no effect. To test the influence of forward-facing sonar (FFS) on angler catch rates, we will be initiating an experimental angling study on northern Wisconsin lakes to test for differences in angler catch rates of smallmouth bass between various forms of angler technology. Students will fish for smallmouth bass and potentially other species with and without the use of FFS

We are hiring for multiple positions for our environmental education programs this 2025 season! Applications have varying due dates between Tuesday, March 4th and Friday, March 7th

The Students Pushing INnovation (SPIN) internship program was launched to provide University of Illinois undergraduates with the opportunity to participate in hands-on research and contribute to interdisciplinary projects covering focused research areas in Culture and Society, Earth and Environment, Bioinformatics and Health Sciences, Material and Manufacturing, Data and Computational Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Digital Agriculture. 

Trout Unlimited (TU) is seeking two (2) Aquatic Resource Seasonal Technicians based in Northern Wisconsin and 2-4 based in southwest Wisconsin to help fulfill the organization’s mission to bring together diverse interests to care for and recover rivers and streams, so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. The Aquatic Resource Seasonal Technicians will assist TU staff and a Lead Seasonal Technician with projects aimed at restoring aquatic connectivity and in-stream habitat. The primary responsibility of this position is to complete road-stream crossing inventories using the Great Lakes Road Stream Crossing Inventory method. These inventories are an important first step for TU and project partners to identify aquatic organism passage barriers and prioritize streams for future restoration work. Additional duties may include assisting with fishery and habitat surveys, monitoring recently completed aquatic connectivity project sites, assisting TU and partners with in-stream habitat restoration projects, and assisting TU staff with in-stream temperature monitoring projects.  

Clean Lakes Alliance seeks a Watershed Programs Specialist to join our passionate and dedicated team. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. This position is responsible for helping the organization effectively engage with its volunteers, build and strengthen partner relationships, research and apply for grants, and support the execution of multiple programs. The individual serving in this role will report to the Deputy Director.

Mount Prospect has an established, award-winning urban forestry program, and the Summer Forestry Intern will gain invaluable “hands-on” experience in preparation for an urban forestry career.

Leads the Prairie on Farms program, developing expertise in seed-based prairie restoration and agricultural conservation programs; establishes relationships with rural stakeholders and initiates a project to address long term management of remnant and restored prairies; provides logistic support for selected Center projects and conducts prairie outreach and education; assists Director in seeking external funds for the program and manages grant budgets; and participates in common activities of the Center including improvements to Irvine Prairie 

The Foundation's mission is "Through the responsible stewardship of Helen Douglas-Hart's gifts, the Douglas-Hart Foundation will be a leader in promoting the appreciation, enjoyment, and conservation of our natural resources by providing quality programs for all ages." The Douglas-Hart Foundation manages three unique properties: Friendship Garden, The Whiteside Garden, and the Douglas-Hart Nature Center. Employment for the Foundation includes working in one of the following areas: Administration, Education, Conservation/Grounds, or Horticulture/Gardens.  

This is a great opportunity for a college undergraduate or graduate student, who has a demonstrated interest in the professional field of wildlife health, including disease surveillance and response techniques, common and emerging wildlife diseases in Virginia’s wildlife populations, and public engagement in disease monitoring and prevention. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are leading wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature. 

Example positions:

• GIS Technician
• Inland Fisheries
• Coastal Fisheries
• Outdoor Education and Outreach Team
• Wildlife Field
• Natural Resource Management

This is a great opportunity for a college undergraduate or graduate student, who has a demonstrated interest in learning how to culture freshwater mussels at the cooperative Virginia Fisheries and Aquatic Wildlife Center at the Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery, for the purpose of conservation and recovery, to work with Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) professionals who share the same passion. The DWR is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are leading wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature. 

Looking for a rewarding career in conservation? NDOW has a wide variety of employment opportunities with meaningful responsibilities that help shape the future of Nevada’s wildlife and wild spaces. 

Under general supervision, the Wildlife Technician 3 will assist biologists in the Wildlife Conservation Section with collecting biological data and conducting research on small mammals. The position will support program biologists by contributing to the development and implementation of scientific sampling protocols. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating surveys and research, identifying and tracking T&E species, as well as supervising seasonal workers, volunteers, and other personnel. This will include monitoring and research related to bats and other small mammals throughout Georgia. The Wildlife Tech 3 will also be the lead MOTUS technician supporting biologists tagging mammals and birds. The technician will be responsible for installing and maintaining MOTUS towers and equipment statewide. After initial training, the MOTUS technician will be expected to install new systems, troubleshoot technical issues, download data, and update the online data portal, and coordinate with MOTUS partners in the SE US. Under limited supervision, the Wildlife Tech 3 will oversee the duties and tasks associated with operating and maintaining assigned equipment for small mammal work, as well as maintenance of facilities and vehicles and purchasing of supplies and materials for fieldwork in accordance with state procedures. They will provide technical support and outreach to individuals, conservation partners, and assist other DNR staff as needed. Current rabies vaccinations are required for work with mammals. This position is housed in the Wildlife Conservation Section of the Wildlife Resources Division and will require overnight travel to project areas in remote regions of the state

This position will assist in the creation of educational materials to reduce the incidence and severity of surface and groundwater-impacting manure spills/incidents through researching/summarizing digital, online and paper records to determine the root causes of manure spills/incidents, environmental impacts, and remediation, summarizing trends, and developing a reduction/prevention strategy. Open to undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates. 

Dr. Eric Larson (https://publish.illinois.edu/erlarson/) in the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences is seeking a summer undergraduate technician to assist with field work in Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah for five weeks of summer 2025 from mid-July to mid-August. The technician will be directly supervised by graduate student Jacob Watson, sampling native and non-native crayfish populations and measuring associated stream habitat characteristics. This will be a full-time position (40 hours per week) at a rate of $15 per hour with travel, lodging, and meals (per diem) provided. 

The Illinois Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) is accepting applications from upper level undergraduate and graduate students for our 2025 Summer Scholars Program. Summer scholars will gain research and writing experience at the intersection of clean energy, policy, labor, and workforce development. They will assist with research projects to inform the Illinois clean energy transition, with a focus on workers and their communities. Summer scholars are mentored by experienced staff as they contribute to applied research projects and learn about Illinois clean energy policy.

Positions are full-time for the duration of the summer and in person at the Labor and Employment Relations building on campus. Summer scholars will receive an hourly wage.

The Wetlands Initiative is hiring a restoration specialist to conduct year-round prairie, wetland, and savanna restoration. This is a full-time position with benefits that is based in Hennepin, IL. This is an excellent opportunity to participate in the ongoing restoration and management of a large, high-quality natural area. The normal work week is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. 

One Point Count Technician is needed for grassland bird and quail population monitoring as part of a coordinated bird monitoring effort to assess the impacts of grassland management in the Oaks and Prairies region of northern Texas and central Oklahoma. Point counts will be performed on private lands as part of an effort to assess the effectiveness of private lands management. Basic plant monitoring is included to tie together bird populations and habitat. This is an opportunity to be part of a large-scale grassland bird conservation effort involving partner conservation agencies and organizations in Texas and Oklahoma. 

EcoNorth LLC is hiring summer and full-time Ecological Restoration Technicians for the 2025 season. The job would be out of our headquarters in Ashland WI, near Lake Superior. Our work takes us to a variety of northern ecosystems including pine barrens, coastal estuaries, northern forests, and lakeshores. Because of our unique location, we get to work in old growth forests, remnant prairies, dune-swale complexes, and rare plant communities that few others have the opportunity to see. The bulk of our time is spent controlling invasive species, but we also survey plants, plant prairies, and create habitat for rare wildlife. 

Two biologist positions available. One will office in Woodville, TX (counties of responsibility: Tyler, Hardin, and Liberty); one will office at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX (counties of responsibility: Walker and Montgomery).

Under the direction of the District 7 Leader, these positions are responsible for performing the professional planning and implementation of natural resource management, monitoring, and research duties associated with wildlife and habitat resources within the Pineywoods ecological region of the District 7 Wildlife District.  Provides technical assistance and public outreach programs to the general public, private landowners/land managers, sportsmen, and new constituencies.  Develops comprehensive wildlife management plans for private landowners upon request.  Disseminates information to the general public through news releases, radio/TV interviews, program presentations, and other public outreach and educational opportunities.  Performs administrative duties and prepares technical reports, popular articles, and professional journal publications.  Responsible in assigned area for public relations and educational/extension efforts to involve private citizens and organizations in support of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) programs.  Identifies public hunting and non-consumptive use opportunities on public and private lands.  Performs additional duties as assigned.  Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures. 

The Round Lake Area Park District is seeking a seasonal outdoor nature recreation instructor! 

Are you looking for extra work this summer? Are you interested in working in parks and recreation? Do you enjoy getting outside in nature? Does environmental education interest you?  Then, our seasonal nature program instructor position is the position for you!  

The Prairie Grass Nature Museum is seeking one seasonal nature program instructor to work with staff on outdoor nature  programs in the 2025 summer season. The Recreation instructor position is a seasonal hourly position (10-15 hours per week). The position will approximately run from June - August 2025.  

The Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) is seeking summer interns to work on trail maintenance and construction, land conservation projects, invasive plant control, educational programming, and general office work such as writing press releases and sending out mailings. 

Interested applicants should be able to perform physically demanding field work, be comfortable multi-tasking in the office, be willing to learn basic plant identification skills, and have an interest in land conservation.

Natural Resource Instructors (NRIs) work under the Camp Director and Camp Coordinator. Instructors will be involved in teaching courses at a residential camp ranging from first aid education, hunter firearm safety, fishing, forestry, ecology, fish and wildlife management, and outdoor recreation. NRIs also directly supervise and support 8-10 campers, ages 12-16, on a weekly basis. They will also be responsible for mentoring campers in educational, social, and personal matters and assisting all staff members in carrying out camp goals, objectives, and the Vermont State Fish & Wildlife Department’s mission. Please note: this is a residential position at either the Edward F. Kehoe Camp in Castleton, VT or the Buck Lake Camp in Woodbury, VT. 

Are you curious about the Forest Preserves and the natural world around you? Join our team as a seasonal Youth Outdoor Ambassador (YOA) intern at one of the most historic agencies of the last hundred years. This position will support operations within the Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming (CEP) as well as other departments in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Interns are mentored by nature educators and professionals to develop a foundation of life and career readiness skills. Interns will learn local ecology, recreation, community engagement, native plants and animals and much more. As YOA interns, you will also learn about various careers in the Forest Preserves while gaining exposure to other conservation and recreation organizations. Spend your summer connecting with people, connecting with nature, and connecting people to nature. Interns will assist all CEP staff and could work in any CEP location including, but not limited to, General Office, Nature Centers, and Campgrounds. Interns will provide support in a variety of administrative tasks, assignments, programs and operational functions, and will perform other duties as required or assigned. This is a seasonal position and for a duration of up to 6 months.

Various job openings and internships with the Forest Preserve of Kane County including positions in:

- Community Engagement

- Community Engagement & Environmental Education

- Human Resources

- Natural Resource Management

- Planning & Operations

Assist the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) in collecting ecological field data in large river floodplains, riparian zones and adjacent areas. The individuals in these positions will participate in a variety of field and laboratory research activities, providing day-to-day support for NGRREC scientists, visiting scholars, and research equipment.

This position is a temporary hourly position supported by grants/contracts. Hours vary week to week during seasonal periods up to 30+ hours and the position ends within 6 months after the start date.  

We are seeking up to four (4) field technicians to assist with aquatic research for summer 2025, with the possibility for extension depending on funding and programmatic needs. Duties include collecting mussels by hand sampling, snorkeling, and quantitative sampling along transect lines; setting and maintaining water quality collection devices; and collecting eDNA samples. Other work may include collecting fish by dip-netting, seining, and trawling, as well as back-pack, barge, and boat electrofishing; lab and museum work, data entry, processing specimens for curation, museum maintenance; equipment cleaning and maintenance; and other duties as needed. Travel is expected, and overnight travel with 2–3 hours of travel time to research sites should be expected during some work weeks. Workdays may consist of long hours outdoors or inside a lab.  

The position will be based in Champaign, Illinois. Housing is not provided. 

 The ecologist works with the Garden's managing ecologists to collaboratively manage the Garden’s natural areas (including our woods, prairie, river, lakes, and shorelines) while supporting applied research and helping to grow our new Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) program. 

The Natural Areas Internship is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career or college program in conservation/ ecological management. Candidates with experience or interest in natural resources, or already attending college in programs related to natural resources, are encouraged to apply. 

Position Dates: May–August positions available, start dates may vary; alternating weekends/ holidays required. 

he Michael Curry Summer Internship Program offers current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students in all disciplines (including law) an opportunity to work in one of the agencies under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Governor on a full-time basis for ten (10) weeks during the summer. In order to be eligible you must be a citizen of Illinois. Applicant must be authorized to work in the United States, without employer sponsorship, on a full-time basis for any employer. 

The camp is located about an hour and a half from Charleston, South Carolina at Camp Bob Cooper directly on Lake Marion (South Carolina’s largest lake). A majority of the camp week will focus on hunting and fishing techniques, wildlife ecology, outdoor survival skills and shooting sports activities (shotgun, rifle and archery). Instructors will be trained and certified through USA Archery, South Carolina 4H Shooting Sports, and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. In addition to these activities, we will also utilize other components such as swimming, team building, and various recreation activities.

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is seeking a Land Conservation Specialist (LCS) to actively provide agricultural conservation assistance to USDA-NRCS in a multi-county region (Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion, Dewitt, Macon, and Piatt) . The primary purposes of the position will be to provide conservation planning, outreach, and mid-contract management assistance to agricultural producers in order to leverage Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) opportunities to achieve wildlife and water quality goals 

Are you considering a career in sustainability? iSEE is partnering with the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) to bring in recent graduates to talk about their career pathways in sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions, and food will be provided! The event will be split into two sessions (5:30-6:30 and 6:30-7:30) to accommodate students who may not be able to attend the entire time. Sign up to learn more about career opportunities from these young sustainability professionals! Register >>>

This intern will gain hands-on experience with the professional staff of the Forest Preserve of Cook County’s fisheries section. Tasks include the everyday management of the Forest Preserves’ 40 fishing lakes and other water bodies. Candidates must be hard-working and open-minded, with a passion for the conservational aspects of not only fisheries biology, but also general biology and the recreational aspects of fishing.

The LaManna lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marquette University is currently looking to hire 5 enthusiastic research technicians with experience in forest-survey techniques and/or Pacific Northwest tree and plant identification skills to address questions related to the maintenance of plant species diversity in old-growth forests along a 1,000 m elevational gradient in the Western Cascade Mountains of Oregon. The work will occur at the Andrews Forest Dynamics Plots (https://forestgeo.si.edu/sites/usa/andrews) at the Andrews Experimental Forest (https://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/), an NSF Long-tern Ecological Research (LTER) site that is located roughly 55 minutes east of Eugene, Oregon. The area is known for its recreational opportunities including hiking and backpacking, scenic volcanoes, and the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Pay will be commensurate with experience, and apartment- style housing at the H. J. Andrews Forest field station will be provided. Anticipated start date is 5/5/2025, and the position will run through at least 7/25/2025 (12 weeks). In addition, we will be extending one of these technician positions through 10/31/2025 (for a total of 26 weeks) and will be re-hiring 1-2 of these positions to work from 9/15/2025 to 10/31/2025 (additional 7 weeks beyond initial 12 weeks) to help set up field-based experiments in Fall 2025.

The Stream Ecology lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking up to 6 research technicians to conduct bioassessments of aquatic life in streams and rivers in Illinois. 

The Natural Areas Support Worker assists with the establishment and ongoing maintenance of Park District natural areas. Typical work week is 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday with typical season beginning in April and lasting through September to potentially continue into the winter months. However, work week hours may vary according to weather or seasonal demand. Some overtime hours on the weekend during peak season are required.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is seeking summer Technicians across multiple locations to help manage and restore tallgrass prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and more. Some locations may include extension options into the fall. The Technician position provides opportunities to learn about plants and animals and natural areas management with an emphasis on ecological restoration including interesting, educational, and challenging outside work

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Water Pollution Control, Surface Water Section, Northern, Central, and Southern Monitoring/Central Unit is seeking to hire a Life Sciences Career Trainee (LSCT) (Option E).  The ideal candidate will participate in the agency sponsored training program for a period of six to twelve months. This trainee position receives working assignments designed to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills consonant with various professional life sciences career discipline. As a LSCT, you will receive controlled assignments in a broad range of departmental activities with increasing difficulty and responsibility.

Info session on paid internships and laborer positions with Veolia Milwaukee! Feb. 7, Noon-1pm

The Western Reserve Herb Society offers Plant Science scholarships. These are open to students who have completed the second/sophomore year of undergraduate study and are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree. The applicants for these scholarships must be attending an accredited college or university and have achieved a grade point average of 3.2 or above. 

NRES will hire two students to supplement Illinois EPA field staff in the collection and management of the Agency's various stream and inland lake monitoring programs. These students will be given hands-on environmental education experience working side-by-side with professional stream and lake biologists from both the Illinois EPA and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Full-time May 12-August 15; $15/hour.