WWF Overview

For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.

BRIDGE – Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence

WWF’s diversity-focused internship program, BRIDGE, aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

Position Summary

The Remote Sensing Intern will develop or adapt a methodology to assess human population dynamics using machine learning applied to satellite imagery.

• Collect and analyze existing research publications, including in the grey literature on the use of satellite or aerial photography imagery, including from drones, for counting houses in remote rural areas.
• Establish a literature reference library on the subject using a literature database program such as EndNote or equivalent.
• Establish a methodology to automate the analysis of satellite imagery to count and identify by type (e.g. Indigenous people hut, house with thatch roof, house with tin roof).
• Ground truth the methodology by assessing the situation in the Dzanga-Sangha Landscape (Reserve plus 25km buffer zone) in Central African Republic (CAR).
• Publish a report or scientific paper with the results.
• Relationships: Establishes and maintains efficient working relationships with WWF staff, donors, stakeholders, beneficiaries and other relevant organizations in the CAR and the Congo Basin region including government partners.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Minimum Requirements:

• Pursuing a graduate program in GIS, remote sensing, or a related field of study. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date (June 17, 2024).
• Strong background in environmental policy, inclusive natural resource management, including species conservation, protected area planning and management, climate change adaptation and mitigation (REDD+), land-use planning, and/or related topics.
• Strong knowledge base on applied remote sensing and machine learning is required.
• Experience building good working relationships with local and international partners is highly desirable. Must be a team player with very strong diplomatic skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in written and verbal English and French is beneficial.
• A candidate with a deep personal and cultural connection to the Central African region’s people and environment.
• Proficiency with GIS software and spatial databases.

Learning Outcomes

• Increased exposure to careers in conservation and sustainability
• Cultivating a professional network across WWF
• Integrating academic theory and practice
• Further development of communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, collaboration

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;

• Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

Location:

US-DC-Washington OR US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming.

Compensation:

Paid – $21 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 17, 2024 to August 23, 2024

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers page, Requisition #BR-2419

In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.

If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.

*Please note that interns must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.