Monarch Research and Education Intern

Dates: Positions can start as early as March 2025. Please include your availability and preferred start and end dates.

Duration: 10–32 weeks, depending on availability and location. For Vandenberg, we prefer interns to remain with us through the fall months to conduct overwintering surveys.

Compensation: $650/week + health insurance (if needed). All project-related travel costs will be covered by EFTA, including roundtrip travel costs if relocation is required, and a mileage rate of $0.40/mile for all driving.

Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base is a military installation located near Lompoc, CA. All field research activities will occur on the installation. 

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis as positions are filled. Apply as soon as possible.

About EFTA’s Monarch Conservation on Military Lands Program

Environment for the Americas is proud to partner with the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense on this monarch monitoring and conservation project on military installations. This partnership highlights a collective commitment to monitor and conserve monarch butterflies, especially in light of their potential ESA (Endangered Species Act) listing in 2024.

We collaborate closely with key organizations, including the Monarch Joint Venture, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and university researchers. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with Department of Defense Natural Resource Managers at installations across the monarch’s range.

Position Description:

The Monarch Research and Education Internship provides a unique opportunity to actively contribute to monarch butterfly monitoring and conservation efforts. Interns will conduct monarch butterfly monitoring and habitat assessments using standardized protocols, working alongside biologists on military installations to identify and evaluate habitat.

This is a field-based position located on military installations across the U.S. where monarch butterflies breed and overwinter. Mondays through Thursdays are typically spent in the field, while Fridays are reserved for inputting data, writing blogs, and completing other computer-based tasks.

Interns will be trained to conduct breeding surveys using protocols including the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP), Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, and other standardized methods. They will collect data on milkweed presence, blooming plant species, and the presence of adult monarchs, eggs, and larvae. For California-based interns available after September, additional training will be provided to participate in overwintering surveys as part of the Western Monarch Count.

Interns will also have the opportunity to facilitate outreach and education programs that facilitate connections and awareness of monarchs, pollinators, and migratory species among military families. All EFTA interns contribute biweekly blogs to the EFTA website and attend virtual webinars and team meetings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Field Research:

• Data Collection: Spend significant time in the field collecting essential data, particularly during the spring and summer breeding season. Gather data on milkweed, blooming plants, and monarch breeding activities to contribute to monitoring and research efforts.
• Overwintering Research (California interns only): Participate in overwintering surveys starting in September, including the Western Monarch Count and identifying critical overwintering groves. Additional opportunities may involve collaborating on a Motus tagging and tracking project.

Communication & Team Engagement:

• Communication & Reporting: Interact with Natural Resource Managers on military installations and partner organizations. Provide weekly fieldwork updates to the EFTA Monarch Program Manager.
• Team Meetings & Webinars: Participate in weekly team meetings and data check-ins. Attend webinars with monarch researchers and other industry leaders.
• Biweekly Blogs: Write blogs for the EFTA website, sharing fieldwork highlights, updates, and personal experiences.

Education & Community Engagement:

• Outreach Programs: Develop and lead engaging educational programs for the military community, including classroom presentations, scout programs, nature walks, and citizen science activities for active-duty service members and their families.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities. Capable of maintaining regular, clear communication with EFTA staff, Department of Defense personnel, and the general public.
• Interest in Conservation: Passion for wildlife conservation, ecology, or environmental science, particularly concerning pollinators and their habitats.
• Self-Motivated and Independent: Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in field-based conditions. Comfortable driving to monitoring sites and working outdoors for extended periods.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) for data entry and reporting.

Preferred:

• Military spouses, veterans, dependents and local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience in field research, outdoor work, data collection, and/or species monitoring.
• Ability to identify plants in the field.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Have a personal vehicle and driver’s license
• Priority consideration will be given to local candidates, military spouses, dependents, and veterans.

TRAINING: 

Interns will receive training in:

• Conducting monarch butterfly habitat surveys using protocols such as the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Protocol (IMMP).
• Performing overwintering surveys using the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count protocols.
• Navigating the unique challenges of conducting ecological studies on military installations.
• Identifying milkweed host plants and locating monarch eggs and caterpillars.
• Recording, maintaining, and organizing field data.
• Implementing educational activities for military communities, including leading nature walks, presentations, and school programs.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.