2027 Summer Internship - Forestry

APS (Arizona Public Service); Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

Professional development

Site visits and networking

Job summary

APS in Phoenix invites a Forestry Intern to support vegetation management for the Phoenix Metro service territory. You will gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship, data collection, and utility operations while helping reduce vegetation-related risks near electrical infrastructure.

The 10-week summer internship offers mentorship, professional development, site visits, networking, and exposure to GIS mapping and field work, with an emphasis on outdoor work and collaboration across

Qualifications

• Enrolled in accredited undergrad or grad program in Forestry or related area.
• Commitment to academic achievement and ongoing learning.
• Exposure or interest in GIS mapping software.

Responsibilities

• Perform simple to intermediate analysis and designs related to vegetation management.
• Assist in data collection, analysis, and reporting for projects.
• Collaborate with operations, communications, land management, and community teams to support project success.
• Participate in field visits to observe forestry activities across APS's service territory.
• Help ensure vegetation management programs support reliability and safety goals.

Skills

GIS mapping

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Undergrad or graduate in Forestry or related

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state's largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country's fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Summary

As a Forestry Intern, you will help support the safe and reliable delivery of energy by contributing to vegetation management efforts across the Phoenix Metro service territory. This role provides hands‑on experience in environmental stewardship, customer engagement, and utility operations while helping reduce vegetation‑related risks near electrical infrastructure.

Potential Projects and Experiences

• Collect, analyze, and maintain data that supports vegetation management projects and informed decision‑making.
• Engage with customers and communities to communicate the purpose and benefits of vegetation management work.
• Collaborate with teams across operations, communications, land management, government affairs, and community affairs to support project success.
• Participate in field visits to observe and support forestry and resource management activities throughout APS's service territory.
• Gain exposure to utility operations while helping ensure vegetation management programs support reliability and safety goals.

Who We're Looking For

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program in Forestry or related area.
• Demonstrated commitment to academic achievement and continued learning.
• Exposure, experience, or interest in learning GIS mapping and software.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather and field conditions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to interact professionally with customers and coworkers.
• Motivated, adaptable, and interested in learning about forestry, environmental management, and the electric utility industry.

This paid, temporary full-time internship spans 10 weeks during the summer. Interns receive mentorship, professional development, opportunities for site visits, networking, and more.

Environmental Factors

• Subject to work outdoors during inclement weather situations.
• Periodically prone to dangers inherent to work sites including exposure to sharp, high‑speed rotating equipment, electrical fields, falling and flying debris, difficult terrain, pesticides, and animal, insect, and snake bites.
• Involves driving throughout service territory.

Minimum Requirements

• Enrolled in an accredited college or university undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Must show ongoing achievement in areas of study and training.
• Must possess valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3.0 GPA or higher.

Major Accountabilities

1) Performs simple to intermediate analysis and designs.
2) May assist in preparing business/engineering plans, designs, specifications, cost estimates, evaluations and studies.
3) Assists in research, business documentation, studies or technical reviews.
4) Conducts analyses, investigations, verifications and summarizes results or findings in written reports or oral presentations.
5) Utilizes internal resources to learn business/engineering operations/functions and apply learning in completion of work assignments.
6) Coordinates efforts with other disciplines, and/or departments in achieving project goals and task assignments.
7) Performs other related duties as required.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.
For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over‑the‑counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job‑related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Onsite: Requires work to be performed in the field and/or at an APS facility. Depending on the responsibilities of the role, this may include, but is not limited to, working at a power plant, job site, or in the community.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.