Andrus Scholars Program

Advocates for the West seeks a highly qualified and motivated summer intern to work closely with our communications and engagement staff, our attorneys, and our summer law student clerks on our busy docket of environmental litigation. 

About Advocates for the West:Advocates for the West is a leading public interest, nonprofit environmental law firm. We provide free legal services to conservation organizations, Native American Tribes, and concerned citizens across the American West. With our headquarters in Boise, ID and staff in Oregon and Colorado, Advocates for the West works in all 11 western states. Our team of 8 attorneys, 1 paralegal, and 4 administrative staff specializes in enforcing our nation’s environmental laws through litigation in federal court. For the last 21 years, we have established a successful track record using law and science to protect public lands, water, fish, and wildlife across the West. Please visit www.advocateswest.org to learn more.

Opportunities:

• Public Outreach: Work with our communications, engagement, and fundraising team to develop content for our website, newsletters, and other materials; help organize and participate in outreach events. 
• Legal Support: Conduct some legal and factual research, provide litigation and pre-litigation support, and draft memos and legal documents, all under the supervision of one or more of our attorneys. 
• Learn & Network: Meet with our clients and partners, conduct field visits, and attend court proceedings; participate in weekly staff meetings; attend weekly summer clerk and intern seminars to learn more about environmental law and meet other attorneys and conservationists around the West. 

Qualifications: Applicants with strong writing and communications skills, an interest in law or policy, and a passion for the environment are preferred. We value diversity and encourage students from underrepresented communities to apply.

Location: This internship will consist of both remote work and in-person work at our Boise, ID headquarters. We will be flexible and are committed to doing what we can to accommodate the intern’s personal needs and preferences for in-person versus remote work throughout the internship.

Duration, Hours & Schedule: 10 weeks. Flexible start and end dates. 30 hours per week. Typical and preferred work hours are on weekdays and (roughly) within the 8am-5pm range; however, we are willing to accommodate alternative schedules to suit the intern’s needs.

2024 PD Climate Program

Summary of Position

The Idaho Conservation League internship will provide real-world experience to college students interested in learning more about the intersections of climate change, energy policy, and social systems from the advocacy perspective. The intern will develop an in-depth perspective on how to view natural resource and energy policies through a climate change lens, as well as gain an appreciation for the many roles within a non-profit organization.

Duties

* A successful applicant will be excited and driven by focusing on one of these issues, not necessarily all three. 

Public perceptions of renewable energy siting

Review previous solar and wind projects in the state and investigate community benefits that were provided by those projects (e.g. county tax assessments, private landowner lease agreements, infrastructure upgrades, etc…). Interview stakeholders with varying degrees of acceptance of these projects, with a focus on identifying values-based communication strategies that resonate with community members. Provide a summary of successful projects, the method(s) of gaining community acceptance, and opportunities to more effectively communicate the benefits of these projects. 

Assisting local governments to access federal funds to promote energy efficiency

Provide technical assistance to businesses, cities, municipalities, counties, and school districts to obtain funding from new federal programs that include the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act (e.g. submitting grants to install electric vehicle chargers at libraries, solar panels at the YMCA, heat pumps at schools, etc…).  

Legal and fiscal analysis of regional energy policies

Examine rules, statues, and regulations that can accelerate the speed of decarbonization in our energy system. This requires reading and interpreting the decisions from the Idaho Public Utilities Commissions, and comparing them to financial and legal disclosures of utilities who must comply with those decisions. Identify fiscal and/or legal arguments that can increase energy efficiencies, safeguard consumer costs, and promote the development of renewable energy projects. 

Position Responsibilities

Skills needed: Strong analytical, writing, communication and organizational skills required. Degree seekers include (but are not limited to): natural resources, environmental science, communications, pre-law, finance/accounting, journalism, and/or public policy. A sincere interest in the health of people and Idaho’s natural resources.

What you will learn: The overall goal of this opportunity is to provide real-world experience to students interested in learning more about natural resource conservation issues as we embark on a renewable energy transformation. The scholar will gain a perspective on regional energy systems, natural resource policies, and gain an appreciation for the many roles within a non-profit organization.

Hours: The position is approximately 30 hours/week for 10 weeks, beginning as early as late May and ending as late as late September. Although the schedule is flexible, it will include some weekends and evenings. This position is based out of ICL’s Boise office, with likely opportunities to travel to surrounding communities, as well as incorporating a consistent virtual dynamic.

Internship Description:

Harris Ranch Wildlife Mitigation (HRWMA) is looking for a dependable, qualified, and motivated summer intern to work under the direction of and job shadow with our Conservation Director.

About HRWMA:

HRWMA is a non-profit organization established to mitigate adverse impacts to wildlife through conservation planning and restoration efforts, and was authorized as part of the Boise City Council’s approval of the Harris Ranch planned development in 2007. In addition to its wildlife mitigation mission HRWMA engages in community education and outreach to bring knowledge of the environment to the homeowners at Harris Ranch. HRWMA works with other partner organizations in the valley. Visit www.hrwma.org to learn more about us.

Summary of Position/Opportunities Available:

• Conservation: Hands on field experience assisting in restoration activities, mapping, scientific monitoring, reporting, and learning about land management issues, such as noxious weed control. Discover plants and wildlife at the nexus of this urban area. 
• Education and Outreach: Develop content for our website and email blasts; disseminate homeowner education materials; help organize and participate in classes and outreach events. 
• Network: Meet local partner organizations (county, city, state, and NGOs) and work collaboratively on projects while learning more about conservation in your community

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a strong interest in and knowledge of the environment; ability to work outdoors under varying weather conditions (hiking, bending, kneeling, and lifting); good writing and communication skills; and be responsible and timely.

Location:

This internship will be based remotely (work from home as HRWMA has no office) and in the field. Field work is conducted in the Barber Valley on the Harris Ranch conservation lands and neighboring lands along the Boise River and Foothills.

Duration, Hours, and Schedule:

This internship is for approximately 30 hours/ week for 10 weeks from the beginning of May through mid-August. The hours and schedule of work are flexible. Typical hours are within the 8am-5pm range on weekdays but may also include occasional Saturdays.

Internship Description:

The USDA Forest Service, Boise National Forest is looking for an intern to work with our Hydrology Team for the 2024 field season.

Position Description: The intern will gain valuable skills as a technical assistant in the performance of a variety of hydrology tasks working alongside District Hydrologist or other staff. We will also seek opportunities for an Andrus Scholar to participate in interdisciplinary team meetings with other resources, such as archaeologists, biologists, and other specialists to learn more about Forest Service’s environmental decision-making processes. This intern will primarily perform field work related to collecting hydrologic baseline data, monitoring best management practices, conducting stream, riparian, and soil surveys, inventorying roads, trails, and other infrastructure throughout the Forest, and collecting information related to project level environmental analysis. The intern will be expected to prepare field notes, pictures, and data summaries to provide to Hydrologists and Soil Scientists across the Forest. The intern will also conduct data analysis, and database entry, and/or GIS work in support of the watershed program. 

The selected individual would work 80 hours every two weeks (40+/- hours per week) and the schedule will vary dependent on the site locations, workload and terrain (e.g., four 10-hour days or longer some weeks to accommodate certain field data collection needs, or five 8-hour days for office-based work, dependent on weekly scheduling needs). Duties would be split at roughly 70% field work and 30% office work. Driving to and from field sites in a government vehicle will be necessary, and a valid driver’s license is required. Some field work may require wading streams, long periods of walking over rough, uneven, or rocky terrain, repetitive bending and crouching, and carrying of equipment that may exceed 40 pounds. 

Desired Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate would have experience and/or education in the fields of hydrology, geomorphology, soils, aquatic ecology, geology, GIS or other related disciplines. We are looking for self-motivated learners who work well with small teams in remote settings.

Duty Station: Boise National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Boise, ID (1249 South Vinnell Way Boise, ID 83709). There is no government housing available.

At the Bureau of Land Management, students:

• Assist in analyzing the environmental consequences of proposed projects to help inform decision-making (including writing and editing National Environmental Policy Act analyses)
• Participate in public outreach regarding public lands, natural resources, safety, and stewardship
• Conduct fieldwork in programs such as wildlife, range forestry, fuels reduction, or recreation to aid in the management of public lands for current and future generations