Job Description

Interns with the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection (CSDP) actively contribute to meaningful conservation projects to protect wildlife and open space. They will be mentored by CSDP staff, both collaboratively and independently completing tasks. Interns are provided opportunities for specific mentorship and training in an area of interest through a chosen final project. This position offers remote work-from-home and flexible hours. Although the work is remote, we are seeking Interns based near Pima County, Arizona who can coordinate with their supervisor to occasionally exchange physical equipment, and to have opportunities to participate in optional outdoor field work, volunteer engagement, and advocacy work.  

Location: Pima County, Arizona

Hourly Rate: $15/hour

Position: Part-time, 10 hours per week

Application deadline: November 1, 2023

Interviews: December 4 and 5, 2023

Internship start date: January 16, 2024

Requirements

• Proof of full vaccination (including boosters) for Covid-19 is required for this position. 

Preferred skills

• Interest in wildlife and habitat conservation
• Strong work ethic 
• Detail oriented
• Ability to work independently 
• Open to learning new skills
• Commitment to community building and fostering equity
• Curiosity and willingness to ask questions
• Familiarity using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or other database experience a plus
• Sonoran Desert wildlife species identification (training provided)
• Experience with wildlife camera monitoring and research (not required)

Duties and Responsibilities

Desert Wildlife Interns assist the Conservation Science Director with maintaining CSDP’s wildlife camera photo database to help translate community science into tangible conservation outcomes. Interns will gain knowledge in wildlife camera research, photo database management, image analysis software, and wildlife species identification through image analysis. They will also gain experience in data entry and basic analysis for wildlife research projects. Interns will work on a variety of habitat connectivity research projects focusing on wildlife movement and wildlife-highway interactions in Pima County, with field work as an optional component.

Wildlife Interns will complete one final project that meets a desired mentorship or skill training goal, to be chosen at the beginning of their internship. Examples of final projects include (but are not limited to): producing a written or video blog post, writing a scientific white paper, creating a GIS map or Story Map, presenting a webinar or outreach talk, completing a related class assignment using CSDP wildlife data, conducting field work, or other project that teaches a skill set related to data analysis, field research, project management, volunteer management, policy and advocacy, science communication, outreach, or another area of interest to the intern.

About CSDP  

The Coalition’s mission is to protect the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert in  southern Arizona through science-based advocacy, education, and collaboration. 

We do this through proactive habitat conservation planning, opposing destructive  projects, protecting wildlife linkages, and community science research. We are  also an alliance of 32 conservation and neighborhood Member Groups,  representing nearly 30,000 people, that formed in February 1998. Our office is  based in Tucson, AZ in The Historic Y Building within walking distance of 4th Avenue and the University of Arizona campus. Learn more at www.sonorandesert.org.  

CSDP is committed to cultivating a culture that values differences and fosters inclusion. Our volunteer, internship, and employment positions are open to all.  We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants,  employees, or volunteers based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin,  ancestry, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, neurodiversity, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, economic circumstances,  and/or veteran status.

We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

We are grateful for the opportunity to live and work on traditionally Native lands, including those belonging to the O’odham, Tohono O’odham, and Pascua Yaqui.  

To Apply

Send your resume or CV and a one-page cover letter to admin@sonorandesert.org with the subject line “CSDP Desert Wildlife Internship.” Please attach the resume/CV and cover letter as separate Word or PDF documents. References requested upon interview selection. If you need any special accommodations for the application or interview process, please contact us at admin@sonorandesert.org or at (520) 388-9925. Thank you for applying!

The job posting can also be accessed and shared as a PDF DOCUMENT. 

Tags: Internship, Spring 2024 Internship