San Francisco Estuary Institute, Resilient Landscapes Program Internship, Summer 2023
Every summer, The Bill Lane Center for the American West offers many opportunities for Stanford undergraduates (including graduating seniors and co-terms) to work with organizations throughout the West. Through these internships, students can explore careers in natural history, conservation, land use, museum curation, resource management, energy and more.
All internships are full-time and last ten weeks during the summer. They are fully funded by the Lane Center.
The Lane Center has placed over 200 interns in positions across the West since 2005. As such, we have developed strong relationships with host organizations and work hard to ensure interns have successful and enriching experiences.
For more information about our internship program, please visit our FAQs page, or email Education Manager Corinne Thomas.
Read more about past interns' experiences here.
Stipend Information:
The Bill Lane Center will provide a base stipend of $7,500 with additional funding for student financial aid and cost of living adjustments for the internship location, if applicable.
Description of the Organization and the Internship:
The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) provides independent science to assess and improve the health of the waters, wetlands, wildlife and landscapes of San Francisco Bay, the California Delta and beyond. Informed by a deep understanding of past, present, and future conditions, the Resilient Landscapes Program at SFEI provides actionable guidance for holistic nature-based solutions to stressors from climate change, landscape modification, habitat loss, and inequity.
Depending on SFEI’s projects and the intern’s qualifications and interests, the intern could contribute to a range of different ongoing projects. Examples include:
- Historical ecology projects focused on collecting, compiling, and synthesizing archival data to reconstruct the physical and ecological characteristics of past landscapes in various regions throughout California;
- Urban ecology projects evaluating ways to enhance the biodiversity support and ecosystem services provided by urban environments;
- Efforts to develop management and restoration strategies for adapting to sea level rise around the San Francisco Bay;
- Multi-benefit stream management projects aimed at developing strategies to improve flood protection, restore floodplain and riparian habitats, and enhance channel functioning;
- “Visioning” projects to develop management and restoration strategies to enhance ecological resilience at the landscape scale.
Depending on his/her preferences, there is generally flexibility for the intern to either contribute to multiple projects spanning a range of focus areas or to focus more intensively on 1-2 primary projects.
Internship Work Environment:
This internship is hybrid with at least 2 days in the SFEI office per week. The internship is primarily indoor/office based, though may include a small amount of field work or in-person office visits (likely <10% time).
The internship will involve a combination of collaborative and independent work. The Resilient Landscapes team is a highly collaborative group of ~35 scientists, landscape architects, and designers.
A car is not necessary, but may be helpful for transportation to/from office. SFEI's office is located approximately 1 mile from El Cerrito Plaza BART station.
Location: Richmond, California
- Conduct internet-based research to collect data on the historical conditions of California watersheds
- Conduct literature reviews and summarize relevant ecological information
- Use GIS or other geospatial tools to manipulate spatial data and map/analyze landscape characteristics
- Research, write and edit sections of technical reports and publications
- Develop visualizations and graphics to convey information for scientists and stakeholders
Bill Lane Center internships are part of Cardinal Quarter opportunities and students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. The opportunities are full-time (35-40 hours a week) for 10 consecutive weeks during the summer. Specific start and end dates can be coordinated directly with the supervisor.
Please note:
- Students are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, or volunteer opportunity (whether funded by Stanford or otherwise) during this full-time, summer internship.
- Student athletes should confirm the impact of any awarded stipend on their athletic eligibility by contacting the Compliance Services Office prior to committing to a research project or internship.
All undergraduates, including graduating seniors, are eligible. Coterms are eligible only if they hold undergraduate status.
For more helpful application advice, please visit the BLC’s FAQs page.
Application Guidelines for this Internship:
Students with more experience (juniors, seniors, and co-terms) are preferred, though the internship may be appropriate for qualified frosh and sophomores as well.
Required Skills:
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Some background in an environmental science field (e.g., earth systems, geology, biology, ecology, environmental engineering) or other field related to landscape and environmental planning (e.g., urban planning, landscape architecture, or environmental policy)
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Experience conducting independent research
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Strong verbal and written communication skills
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Ability to work both independently and with a close-knit team
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Self-direction and the ability to manage tasks with minimal supervision
Desired Skills:
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Experience using ArcGIS or other GIS programs to create maps and/or analyze geospatial data
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Data analysis skills and experience using analytical software tools such as Excel and R
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Design or data visualization skills and experience using graphic design tools such as Adobe Illustrator
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Experience with historical archival research
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Experience working on projects that translate science into applied management (e.g., internship or class project working with government staff or NGOs)
Selection of applicants:
Complete applications are screened and finalists are contacted for an interview with staff from The Bill Lane Center for the American West. The top candidates for the position are forwarded to the organization for direct interviews with their potential supervisors and other staff.
Host organizations will then notify the Lane Center of their preferred candidate and that applicant will receive an internship offer from the Bill Lane Center by email.
The applicant is expected to respond promptly (within 48 hours) via email to the offer or the offer will be rescinded.
Once an applicant accepts an offer, they should promptly notify all other Stanford and non-Stanford programs to which they have applied that they have accepted another offer and withdraw their candidacy from those other opportunities.
