Internship Highlights

Great Ecology is seeking a landscape designer or planner to work with our team of scientists and designers as an intern for the Summer of 2024. This paid, temporary position will be in-person at our office in San Diego, California. This position will challenge the intern to tackle a research topic for about half of their time, while supporting project tasks in their remaining time. The research topic will be selected by the leadership team, with consideration of the intern’s skills and interests. Project tasks may include (but are not limited to!) participating in design charettes, drafting construction drawings, creating maps and figures, and joining biologists for field work efforts at project sites in southern California.

Responsibilities

We are seeking applicants who are comfortable and confident with the following responsibilities:

• Lead the development and production of a report on a research topic selected by the design team, with consideration of the intern’s skills and interests;
• Support billable project work through an unpredictable variety of tasks;
• Report daily to intern coordinator(s);
• Attend meetings, respond to redlines, and otherwise coordinate with the design team.

About Great Ecology

Great Ecology is a leading ecological consulting firm focused on creatively solving ecological problems. Our mission is to help repair the world through ecology and design and expand the ecological horizon for leading corporations and public agencies. The Great Ecology team works with a wide range of public and private clients to increase the ecological and economic value of developed, degraded, contaminated, and underutilized sites.  

We work together in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation in science and design while encouraging individual initiative, creativity, and skill development. Great Ecology provides opportunities to work in a variety of ecosystems and on projects throughout the United States.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Great Ecology

At Great Ecology, we know working toward access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is multifaceted and that meaningful change requires action. 

We strive to create a workplace where people feel their humanity is recognized, welcomed, and appreciated. At Great Ecology, this means dedicating resources to maintain and improve upon access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and in our interactions with others. We know that honoring people’s diverse experiences, views, and identities helps foster trust which can lead to innovation, successful collaboration, and greater resilience both within the workplace and within communities.  

But our work doesn’t end there. 

As an ecological consulting and landscape design firm, we are engaged with rehabilitating ecosystems. For us, this means working to acknowledge and understand the ways cultural, economic, and political systems alter the natural world. We create strategies to restore biodiversity and improve the ecological function of landscapes through our technical knowledge about how people have impacted, and been impacted by, ecosystems. As part of our work, we seek to create opportunities for all people to: foster a sense of belonging, meaningfully interact with the world around them, and strengthen connection to place.

What We Offer You

In addition to gaining professional work experience in ecological design and permitting, Great Ecology will provide the following compensation and support for hired interns:

• $20 per hour wage up to 40 hours per week;
• Opportunity to develop and expand your professional network;
• Opportunities to learn and develop new software, fieldwork, and writing skills.

The internship is anticipated to last 10-12 weeks, with consideration to the selected intern’s availability, and has the possibility for extension.

Applicant Requirements

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements for consideration: 

• Current enrollment in, or recent graduation from an accredited academic program in landscape architecture or planning OR
• Demonstrated skills and background in ecological design;
• Proficient in AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and Adobe CS;
• English fluency, with ability to read and understand technical scientific literature;
• Strong written, verbal, and graphical communication skills;
• Rigorous, detail-oriented, and committed to accuracy;
• Adaptability to changing priorities and processes; and
• Flexible schedule and willingness to conduct site visits.

Preferred Skills & Experience (not required) 

Preference may be given to applicants who have the following experience or skills:

• Advanced academic courses/labs in ecology or biology;
• Proficient in Sketchup or Rhino;
• Professional experience in design, field biology, botany, nursery management, plant propagation, construction, and/or environmental permitting; or
• Ability to identify a variety of native California plants.