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 20 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.

Summary of Position

The Idaho Conservation League internship will provide real-world natural resource conservation experience to college students interested in learning more about these issues from the advocacy perspective. The intern will develop an in-depth perspective on how to view land management issues and natural resource policies through a conservation lens, as well as gain an appreciation for the many roles within a non-profit organization.

Duties

Public Lands Management: Review land management project proposals from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other relevant state or federal agencies, and draft science based comments.

Field Work: Join ICL staff on field tours to review mining, travel planning, and/or forest restoration projects as opportunities arise. Assist ICL staff in organizing and facilitating member field trips as needed.

Outreach: Assist ICL engagement staff with outreach events as needed to elevate ICL’s presence within a broad community.

Position Responsibilities

Skills needed: Strong analytical, writing and organizational skills required. Degree seekers in natural resources, environmental science and/or public policy. Sincere interest in the health of 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. The scholar will gain a perspective on statewide conservation issues and 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 McCall, as well as incorporating a consistent virtual dynamic.

Application review preference will be given to Idaho Army National Guard active member in consideration of this internship opportunity.

The Environmental Management Office is here to support the Idaho Army National Guard.  They ensure compliance with environmental regulations, monitor the biology of our training lands, and provide data that are used in the management of these lands.  In addition they do environmental research.

They are staffed to cover a diverse area of environmental science. Major programs include Environmental Compliance, Environmental Engineering, Pollution Control, Biological Monitoring and Research, Environmental Awareness, and Geographic Information Systems. The Idaho Army National Guard and the State of Idaho, Military Division are committed to being leaders in the stewardship of the lands we use.

At the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, students to gain relevant work experience related to careers in fish and wildlife science and/or management during their internship and can meet these requirements through a wide variety of experiences.

• Assist with analysis of public surveys and license database information to inform efforts relating to recruitment, retention, and reactivation of license buyers.

• Work with Communication Bureau on public outreach to communicate the Department’s efforts to manage fish and wildlife and serve our license customers and the public.

• Participate in fieldwork with the Fisheries and Wildlife Bureaus to support the management of fish and wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend

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