Summer Internship: Science Communication Intern

Summer Internship: Science Communication Intern

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Position Summary:

The goal of this internship is to practice skills and gain experience in science communication and to become an environmentally responsible mentor in the urban Milwaukee community. You will experience the full scope of the Urban Ecology Center’s Ecology Division, functioning as an embedded reporter. 

You will write blogs, assist with regular programming, document community science activities through photographs and stories, communicate with volunteers, and assist with reports and projects as well as assisting in field work and general operations as needed. 

Our Summer Employment and Internship Experience:

• The Science Communication Intern is paid a stipend of $1,120 on a bi-weekly basis. 


• This role is allotted 3 days (24 hours) of PTO for planned vacation or sick days.


• You will attend training for the first two weeks of your experience, with opportunities for further learning & development throughout the summer. We host both a Summer Kickoff event and an End of Summer Celebration.


• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture. 


• You will have the ability to attend all UEC events or programs at a low or no cost. Children of employees attend programming, including summer camps, at reduced rates.

Application Review Date: Thursday, February 26th

• It is strongly recommended that all interested applicants submit their applications by this date. 

Employment term: June 8th, 2026 to August 21st, 2026

Location and Schedule:. Work is conducted in-person 5 days/week, 40 hours/week, at all three branches.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Center’s Research department to support wildlife research and monitoring efforts in the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum, Washington Park, and/or the Menomonee Valley. Additional projects may be offsite in and around the Milwaukee area.


• Work closely with the Center’s Research department to support and create content for regular in-person programming, including but not limited to lectures and events.


• Work closely with the Center’s Marketing department to help tell stories of the Research department and the Urban Ecology Center and related topics through photographs, blogs, short videos and other forms of communication.


• Gain an understanding of and help share the goals of the Ecology Division of the Urban Ecology Center with the general public.


• Facilitate monitoring projects which could include biotic (bird, bat, invertebrate, snake, mammal) and abiotic (water, air quality) surveys.  


• Work alongside and mentor high school students enrolled in the UEC’s high school aged Outdoor Leadership Program.

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To be successful in this position, you will demonstrate the following competencies:

We know that hardly anyone ‘checks ALL the boxes’ on job requirements, and that’s okay! If some or many of the items listed below describe you and your experiences, we’re excited to talk with you and encourage you to apply.

• Communicates effectively: You develop and deliver multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.


• Reliability/action-oriented: Deliver on commitments and act with a clear sense of ownership.


• Growth mindset:  You demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development and are willing to incorporate feedback into the ways you approach work.


• Ecological knowledge (preferred): you have an understanding of and recognize the cycles of nature, animal behavior, and the nuances of phenology, incorporating them into programming as able and adapting content to participant needs.

Required Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent education.


• Experience in marketing, science communication, writing, journalism, and/or graphic design.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working toward or completion of additional learning (certification, associates, undergraduate or graduate degree) in natural sciences, writing, marketing, journalism, or related areas.


• Previous experience working with volunteers and/or mentoring youth.

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability with reasonable accommodation is required for various activities, such as working long days outdoors under various weather conditions and carrying equipment – up to 25 pounds. 


• Ability to type on a computer.

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What does a typical workday look like?

Condition & Location: 

• Open office workspace with an active team atmosphere. Using shared workspaces at all three UEC locations.

Schedule: 

• Variable week-to-week within standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend events.

Equipment Used: 

• Computer equipment, Google software, tools, field research equipment.

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The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.