Monarch SkillBridge Internship (For Transitioning Service Members)

Dates

Dates available from March toNovember 2026

Locations

• Fort Hood in Killeen TX
• Joint Base San Antonio - Camp Bullis in San Antonio TX
• Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene TX
• Fort Bliss in El Paso TX
• Camp Pendleton in Oceanside CA
• Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc CA
• Fort Carson in Colorado Springs CO and surrounding installations

Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged.

Requirements

MUST BE A TRANSITIONING MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER WITH SKILLBRIDGE ELIGIBILITY

Access to a personal vehicle and a valid drivers license

About EFTAs Monarch Research and Conservation on Military Lands Program

Environment for the Americas (EFTA) partners with the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense to monitor and conserve monarch butterflies on military installations. The program reflects a shared commitment to understanding and protecting the monarchs breeding and migratory habitats.

EFTA works closely with the Monarch Joint Venture the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation university researchers and Department of Defense Natural Resource Managers across the monarchs range.

EFTA is a registered SkillBridge provider. Service members must apply for SkillBridge at their installation.

Learn more about the program here : Description

The Monarch Research and Education SkillBridge Internship offers hands-on experience in monarch monitoring habitat assessments conservation and community outreach. Interns conduct field research using standardized protocols and work directly with biologists and Natural Resource Managers on military lands.

This is a field-focused position. Interns typically spend four days each week outdoors and one day completing data entry writing and administrative tasks. Fieldwork involves documenting milkweed presence identifying blooming plants and recording monarch eggs larvae and adults. Interns also support outreach activities designed to inspire interest in monarchs pollinators and migration among military families and school-aged children. All interns write biweekly blogs and attend virtual team meetings and webinars.

Interns who continue into the fall season assist with capturing tagging and measuring monarchs during migration.

Key Responsibilities

Field Research

Conduct monarch and habitat surveys during peak breeding periods

Collect data on milkweed nectar plants and monarch life stages

Navigate and work safely on military installations

Communication & Team Engagement

Maintain regular communication with Natural Resource Managers and partner organizations

Submit consistent updates to the EFTA Monarch Program Manager

Participate in weekly team meetings data reviews and educational webinars

Write biweekly blogs that highlight fieldwork and personal experiences

Education & Community Engagement

Develop and lead educational programs for military communities such as school visits scout activities citizen science events and nature walks

Promote awareness of monarch conservation and pollinator ecology

Qualifications

Required

Strong communication skills including clear and consistent written and verbal communication

Interest in conservation with demonstrated enthusiasm for wildlife ecology or environmental science

Ability to work independently in the field manage time effectively and travel between sites

Familiarity with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office for data entry and reporting

Preferred

Experience in fieldwork species monitoring outdoor labor or data collection

Willingness to learn basic botany

Training

SkillBridge Interns will receive training in :

Conducting monarch habitat surveys using IMMP and other standardized protocols

Field navigation and safety procedures on military installations

Identifying milkweeds nectar plants and monarch life stages

Accurate data recording and dataset maintenance

Leading educational programs and nature-based activities

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Required Experience :

Intern

Key Skills

Debugging,Computer Networking,ConnectWise,PKI,PowerShell,Windows,C#,Automotive Diagnostics,Medical Imaging,Azure,Technical Support,Troubleshooting

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1