DaRin Butz Foundation NWF Sea Turtle Intern, Escambia County

Founded in 1936 the National Wildlife Federation has grown into Americas largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters including hunters anglers gardeners birders hikers campers paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife restoring habitats and waterways expanding outdoor opportunities connecting children with nature advancing environmental justice and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

About Escambia County Natural Resources Management:

The Natural Resources Management Departments mission is to conserve restore and protect the natural and built environments through ecologically sound and sustainable principles based upon the best available science. The Departments responsive service enhances the quality of life for citizens and visitors while promoting a safe and healthy community. Divisions include Environmental Code Enforcement Marine Resources Mosquito Control Natural Resources Conservation RESTORE Resiliency Water Quality and Land Management and Air Quality Monitoring.

About the Position:

The Gulf Program of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) seeks a part time DaRin Butz Foundation NWF Intern for a three-month internship to assist Escambia County staff with community outreach and engagement regarding wildlife-friendly lighting and coastal wildlife conservation. Artificial light from sources like homes businesses roadways and pools disrupts these natural nesting and emergence cues which can lead to harmful impacts on both nesting females and hatchlings. Adult females are often deterred from nesting on heavily lit beaches resulting in fewer nests or the selection of poor sites to lay eggs. For those that do try to nest on these artificially lit beaches artificial light can cause false crawls (non-nesting emergences) and disorientations (inability to successfully locate the water) of both nesting females and just born sea turtles which can result in death.

Escambia County amended the Barrier Island Lighting Ordinance in July 2023 to extend protections for nesting sea turtles shorebirds and the Perdido Key Beach Mouse. The amended language includes updated ordinance language for Pensacola Beach (Santa Rosa Island) and a new ordinance for Perdido Key. The selected intern will assist staff in educating owners and property managers about the new ordinance language and requirements as well as general education and outreach on a variety of coastal conservation topics.

Job Duties:

• Initiating contact with non-compliant properties about wildlife-friendly lighting requirements and responding to inquiries from property owners managers and the general public
• Assisting staff with evening lighting surveys property site visits and other field work when needed
• Data management and contact tracking
• Community outreach and engagements activities related to coastal conservation topics
• Draft content for social media blogs op-eds and other venues to promote sea turtle conservation
• Representing Escambia County and NWF at community events and festivals
• Attend relevant meetings and conferences
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

Individuals applying for this internship should meet the following qualifications:

• Florida Resident
• Enrolled in an undergraduate institution and completed at least 2 years of college education or recent graduate in a related field of study (biology marine science environmental policy science education communication or similar fields)
• Willingness to work on a flexible schedule of 20-30 hrs/ week including evenings and occasional weekends
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Able to speak clearly and comfortably with diverse audiences (government employees coastal businesses general public home owners)
• Ability to communicate scientific/technical concepts to the general public
• Knowledge of standard computer software including Microsoft Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint)
• Comfortable working outside for several hours at a time in Florida heat and humidity
• Valid drivers license and willingness/ability to drive locally
  • Mileage reimbursement is available for approved travel and will be paid in alignment with IRS standards and applicable organizational policies
• Willingness to use personal computer and/cell phone
• Reliable and professional
• Organized and self-motivated

Preferred Experience/Knowledge:

It is preferred that individuals applying for this internship position also have experience and knowledge related to:

• Outreach and engagement facilitation
• Wildlife Biology
• Written communications
• Coordinating scheduling and independent work

Service Term (approximate):

Start Date: Intended start date February 2026. Internship lasts 12 weeks or 90 days 19-30 hours per week for a max total of 300 hours.

Compensation: $18.50/hour (no benefits)

This is a paid short-term internship opportunity with the National Wildlife Federation.

NWF is happy to work with the applicant to obtain relevant credit(s) through college/university programming such as directed independent study (DIS) internship credit hours etc. Applicant should indicate if they intend to pursue this in application letter. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate your class schedule.

We aspire to be an inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity such as race ethnicity gender identity sexual orientation socio-economic status age physical ability and religious and political belief. Diversity at the National Wildlife Federation translates into understanding and valuing each others perspectives.

Application:
Interested applicants should apply by January 5^th with a resume and cover letter through NWF website. Please include in the cover letter a list of your availability to complete 19-30 hours per week and on which general days of the week work will be completed. Your cover letter should describeyour interest in working with NWFs Gulf Program describing any relevant experience you may have working with community outreach or education sea turtles manatees or effects of human disturbance on wildlife. If selected a background check may be conducted.

Required Experience:

Intern