WILDCOAST US Wetlands Internship
Position Title: US Wetlands Intern
Position Type: Paid Internship
Employment Classification: Hourly Non\- Exempt
Reports to: Conservation Ecology Manager
Location: This is a hybrid position based in San Diego County, California with office work required at our office in Del Mar, as well as in\-field work within San Diego County. Evening and weekend work may be expected occasionally, with notice.
Timeline: February 2026 \- July 2026
Compensation: This is a part\-time, temporary internship paid at an hourly rate of $17\.75\. Interns are eligible for paid sick leave, which is accrued at a rate of one (1\) hour for every thirty (30\) hours worked, up to a maximum of forty (40\) hours per year.
About WILDCOAST:
WILDCOAST is an international team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and addresses climate change through natural solutions. To achieve our mission we establish and manage protected areas, protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems, and partner with local communities, governments, and the private sector. WILDCOAST has helped to conserve millions of acres of some of the most ecologically important coastline, wetlands, islands, and marine wilderness in the world.
Internship Description:
The US Wetlands intern works to advance WILDCOAST’s work to conserve, manage, and restore coastal ecosystems in San Diego County.
A successful intern is a quick\-learner and self\-starter who is capable of managing their own time to complete required tasks and ensuring communication so that work is completed with the highest quality and in a timely manner. Interns should expect a dynamic work schedule, dependent on weather, project priorities, schedule of external partners, and supervisor availability.
Internship Benefits:
- Learn more about wetland restoration, San Diego native flora and fauna, the nonprofit working landscape and applied statistics
- Spend time in nature experiencing the coast and ocean alongside conservation professionals and community partners
- Valuable experience for resumes
- Letters of recommendation/reference
- 18 years or older
- Commitment for the entire internship, with a maximum of timeline of February 2026 \- July 2026 / 16 \- 25 hours per week including weekdays and weekends
- Be able to work both in person (San Diego County) and online
- Ability to work both with a team and individually with minimal supervision
- Ability to clearly communicate, both written and verbally
- Intern is asked to provide as much notice as possible for planned time off
- Intern is required to track hours spent on projects, on a weekly basis
- Regular check\-ins and performance reviews will be held between intern and supervisor
- Support WILDCOAST restoration efforts in our local coastal ecosystems (removing invasive species, planting native species, watering plants, and setting up for restoration events with the community).
- Assist with environmental monitoring (vegetation, avian surveys, camera traps, acoustic monitoring) at restoration sites throughout San Diego County
- Perform data entry and analysis using Google sheets and R statistical software
- Provide additional support and assistance to the team as needed.
- WILDCOAST works to cultivate a collaborative and open learning environment free of bullying, hate speech, and/or discrimination and will expect the same of program participants.
- Please note that while WILDCOAST is an international team and works in both the US and Mexico, this internship will only be based in San Diego.
- Spanish language proficiency
- Familiarity with GIS and R statistics software
- Exposure to high heat, humidity, and other variable weather conditions.
- Opportunity for surfing, snorkeling, swimming and boating in urban and remote coastal areas.
- Extensive hiking over uneven, steep, or rugged terrain.
- Regular lifting and carrying of equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Performing tasks for extended periods in remote outdoor settings with limited amenities.
Internship Requirements:
Duties and Responsibilities:
Preferred:
Compensation:
This is not a staff position, and paid interns are classified as part\-time, temporary employees and paid an hourly, minimum wage ($17\.75\). Part\-time employees are eligible for sick leave, and you are scheduled to earn one (1\) hour of sick leave for every thirty (30\) hours worked.
Requirements \& Travel:
* Transportation: Must have a valid California driver license and reliable transportation for local travel.
* Background Checks: In compliance with the California Fair Chance Act, WILDCOAST will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Background checks are conducted only after a conditional offer of employment has been made.
Work Environment \& Physical Requirements
This position could involve working in physically demanding and environmentally challenging conditions, including:
Physical Requirements \& Environment: This is a hybrid role requiring the ability to work in\-office, remotely, and at outdoor event sites. Must be able to move event materials (up to 30 lbs) and traverse outdoor terrain (beaches/trails).
WILDCOAST provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.