2025 Natural Resource Undergraduate and Graduate Summer Internship
Crystal Cove Conservancy is excited to announce the fifth year of the Natural Resource Summer Internship program, run in partnership with Crystal Cove State Park, UC Irvine, and Parks California.
This impactful program offers paid internship positions to those interested in beginning their journey into natural resource careers with California State Parks. It is particularly intended for individuals who are from backgrounds that have historically been excluded from natural resource careers.
Undergraduate Internship Program Overview & Application Process:
Starting in June 2025, the Natural Resource interns will spend 150 hours throughout the summer working collaboratively on a natural resource project at Crystal Cove State Park.
As a Natural Resource undergraduate summer intern, you will:
-
- Work under the guidance of Conservancy and State Park staff to develop a scope of work for a natural resource project at Crystal Cove State Park;
- Collaborate with a team of undergraduate and graduate interns to implement the natural resource project;
- Analyze your findings with guidance from subject-matter experts;
- Present your final products back to State Park natural resource managers, Park staff, and other community stakeholders;
- Participate in weekly cohort meetings and workshops, where you will meet State Parks natural resource professionals and practice skills to prepare you for State Park and natural resource careers, such as finding and analyzing job postings, applying for state lists, interviewing, and negotiating pay.
Intern projects vary from year to year depending on Park needs. Potential projects may include:
-
- Continuing the development of an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) invasive plant program;
- Developing informational materials to support wildfire response groups in protecting sensitive habitats.
Compensation: $16.50/hour for four undergraduate positions.
Program Logistics:
-
- All interns will be required to participate in one six-hour orientation day at Crystal Cove State Park during the week of June 16, 2025;
- Positions will be available to start on June 23 and may run through September 5, 2025;
- The scheduling of these positions is flexible depending on intern availability, averaging 15 hours per week for 11 weeks. Interns must be available for at least two full days during each standard work week (Monday-Friday, 9-4 PM) for field work, and must be available on Wednesday afternoons for an hour-long weekly cohort meeting;
- Each position will involve in-person field work at Crystal Cove, with some remote work available depending on the assigned project. Laptops are available for loan to support remote work.
Desired Qualifications:
This is an entry-level position, and we encourage candidates with a broad array of experiences and backgrounds to apply. The ideal candidates will be a high school graduate who is at least 18 years of age and is excited about exploring a career in natural resources, conservation, or environmental science. No previous work experience is required, although prior coursework in ecology, environmental science, or marine science is encouraged.
Crystal Cove Conservancy highly encourages all interested candidates to apply, particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color; LGBTQ+; Disabled and/or d/Deaf; or from other marginalized backgrounds that are underrepresented in the conservation and environmental fields.
Physical Requirements:
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce inclusive of those with cognitive or physical disabilities. Due to the nature of this position, this position does require certain physical abilities, including but not limited to being able to operate a computer. Some projects may require the ability to hike up to five miles over uneven terrain.
If you are interested in this position and will need accommodations to carry out the position functions, we highly encourage you to apply. Please also let us know if you need reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process.
Application Process:
Applications have now closed for 2025!
Graduate Internship Program Overview & Application Process:
Starting in June 2025, the Natural Resource graduate interns will spend 250 hours throughout the summer working collaboratively on a natural resource project at Crystal Cove State Park.
As a Natural Resource graduate intern, you will:
-
- Work under the guidance of Conservancy and State Park staff to develop a scope of work for a natural resource project at Crystal Cove State Park;
- Lead a team of undergraduate interns to implement the natural resource project;
- Serve as the main project contact and leader for your team, and ensure the project is progressing per your team’s project timeline;
- Analyze your findings with guidance from subject-matter experts;
- Present your final products back to State Park natural resource managers, Park staff, and other community stakeholders;
- Participate in weekly cohort meetings and workshops, where you will meet State Parks natural resource professionals and practice skills to prepare you for State Park and natural resource careers, such as finding and analyzing job postings, applying for state lists, interviewing, and negotiating pay;
- Develop a one-hour interactive workshop on a topic related to career development or professional skills, and then present it to the other interns at one of the cohort meetings.
Intern projects vary from year to year depending on Park needs. Potential projects may include:
-
- Continuing the development of an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) invasive plant program;
- Developing informational materials to support wildfire response groups in protecting sensitive habitats.
Compensation: $20/hour for two graduate student positions.
Program Logistics:
-
- All interns will be required to participate in one six-hour orientation day at Crystal Cove State Park during the week of June 16, 2025;
- Positions will be available to start on June 23 and may run through September 5, 2025;
- The scheduling of these positions is flexible depending on intern availability, averaging 25 hours per week for 11 weeks. Interns must be available for at least two full days during each standard work week (Monday-Friday, 9-4 PM) for field work, and must be available on Wednesday afternoons for the hour-long weekly cohort meeting;
- Each position will involve in-person fieldwork at Crystal Cove, with some remote work available depending on the assigned project. Laptops are available for loan to support remote work if needed.
Desired Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be a current or recently graduated master’s student who is excited about exploring a career in natural resources and conservation. They will have prior coursework in ecology, data analysis, or natural resource management and planning; experience planning or conducting science communication or public outreach; and will have demonstrated their leadership ability through school projects, volunteering, or past work experience.
Crystal Cove Conservancy highly encourages all interested candidates to apply, particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color; LGBTQ+; Disabled and/or d/Deaf; or from other non-traditional backgrounds that are underrepresented in the conservation and environmental fields.
Physical Requirements:
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce inclusive of those with cognitive or physical disabilities. Due to the nature of this position, this position does require certain physical abilities, including but limited to being able to operate a computer. Some projects may require the ability to hike up to five miles over uneven terrain. If you are interested in this position and will need accommodations to carry out the position functions, we highly encourage you to apply. Please also let us know if you need reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process.
Application Process:
Applications have now closed for 2025!
Crystal Cove Conservancy (The Conservancy) is the nonprofit public benefit organization dedicated to the protection, preservation and sustainability of Crystal Cove State Park, located on the traditional lands of the Acjachemen and Tongva Tribal Nations. Crystal Cove Conservancy works with our partners at California State Parks to restore the park’s historic beach cottages, educate our next generation of environmental leaders, protect Crystal Cove’s threatened natural and cultural resources, and promote access for historically-excluded groups.
Crystal Cove Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or genetics. Members of groups that have faced historic barriers to environmental access are highly encouraged to apply.