2027 Ecology and Conservation Intern

Australian Wildlife Conservancy; National (WV); On-site; USD 8,900 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living stipend

Travel assistance

Relocation allowance

Job summary

Australian Wildlife Conservancy invites promising graduate students to join the Ecology & Conservation Internship Program. In 2027, up to 22 internships of 4–6 months across our sanctuary network provide hands-on field conservation experience and training in survey techniques, data collection, and reintroduction planning.

Interns receive a modest living stipend, travel assistance, and a relocation allowance, mentored by experienced ecologists with ongoing assessment and a final report.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to wildlife conservation.
• Fauna and flora survey experience.
• Ability to live and work in remote areas (including extended camping in the field).
• Diligently collect and manage data.
• Understanding of Australian flora and fauna identification.
• Physically capable for strenuous fieldwork and high fitness.
• Willingness to follow OHS and animal ethics procedures.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork for extended hours at night.
• Fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Measure and evaluate ecological health of sanctuaries and partnership sites.
• Conduct research on conservation issues relevant to wildlife.
• Plan, implement and monitor reintroductions.
• Contribute to conservation and land management strategies and report outcomes.
• Assist with communication and fundraising activities (events, media, webinars).

Skills

Wildlife conservation

Survey experience

Remote fieldwork

Data management

Flora & fauna identification

Physical fitness

OHS & ethics

Night fieldwork

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree with Honours in ecology/conservation

Job description

AWC is a pragmatic global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Guided by science, AWC delivers measurable conservation impacts at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species.

At AWC we are inspired by the unparalleled richness of Australia’s wildlife and we are united by our determination to protect its unique animals and landscapes. It is our mission to effectively conserve all Australian wildlife and habitats and our vision is for a world where Australia’s biodiversity is valued and effectively conserved by an engaged community.

The delivery of AWC’s mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other as a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders.

AWC’s work is guided by the following values. At AWC, we are:

• Accountable – taking ownership of our actions and outcomes
• Informed – working together to acquire and apply evidence, knowledge and experience
• Respectful – demonstrating care, recognition and integrity
• Dedicated – committed to delivering effective outcomes, with resilience and tenacity
• Innovative – applying creative thinking for effective solutions
• Sustainable – delivering long‑term financial and ecological viability.

About the internship:

AWC’s science program plays a fundamental role in helping AWC meet its mission. AWC ecologists:

• Measure and evaluate the ecological health of AWC’s wildlife sanctuaries and partnership sites;
• Conduct research on key issues relevant to the conservation of wildlife;
• Plan, implement and monitor reintroductions,
• Contribute to conservation and land management strategies, and report on their outcomes and
• Assist with AWC’s communication and fundraising activities which may include participation in supporter events, media and webinars.

AWC offers opportunities for promising graduate students to get involved in the science program and gain valuable field experience in conservation research via the Ecology & Conservation Internship Program. In 2027, AWC will offer up to 22 internships of 4-6 months duration, across its network of sanctuaries. Each internship has been designed to provide an exciting training program. The program is designed to introduce conservation biologists to a variety of sanctuaries with a host of different ecosystems, flora and fauna, field techniques, and conservation issues.

• The internships provide a modest living stipend and travel assistance for the duration of the program.
• A relocation allowance is also provided at the beginning and end of the internship placement.

AWC has constructed a training program that will:

• Enable Interns to experience a range of Australian ecosystems, and associated flora and fauna;
• Provide experience with a wide variety of field techniques including:
  • Different types of survey and trapping techniques;
  • The handling of many different types of animals;
  • Specialist skills such as pit tag insertion, DNA sampling, animal husbandry, radio‑and GPS‑tracking.

The Intern will be mentored by a team of experienced ecologists, who will provide on‑going assessment throughout the training program. At the end of the training program, the Intern’s progress will be evaluated, and an assessment report provided.

Required Skills/Selection Criteria:

• Strong commitment to wildlife conservation
• Fauna and flora survey experience
• Demonstrated capacity to live and work in remote areas (including extended periods camping in the field whilst undertaking surveys) with small groups of people
• Demonstrated capacity to diligently collect and manage data
• Understanding of, and ability to learn identification of Australian flora and fauna
• Physically capable to undertake strenuous fieldwork and possessing a high level of fitness
• Preparedness and capacity to follow OHS and animal ethics procedures
• Ability to conduct fieldwork for extended hours at night
• Fluency in English

Qualifications, Licenses, Certificates and/or Working Rights :

• A Bachelor’s degree with Honours (or equivalent experience) in an ecology/conservation program (e.g. BSc Hons)
• Valid manual Australian (or internationally recognised) drivers’ licence and experience driving manual vehicles
• Internships are open to all applicants with the right to work in Australia (appropriate visa, permanent residency etc), though noting key criteria is an understanding of Australian flora and fauna.

Applications must be submitted by Sunday 27 September 2026

PLEASE NOTE:

• Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply. Sponsorship is not available.
• If you apply for this role, AWC will include you in its ongoing updates and communications about its events, activities and fundraising initiatives. You may opt out of these communications at any time.
• Any application submitted to AWC will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.australianwildlife.org/privacy-policy. By providing us with your contact details, you consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity.

AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.

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