2027 Ecology and Conservation Internship (Voluntary)

About AWC

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.