Biology Intern

San Luis Obispo, CA

Internship

Internships

Student (College)

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Biology Intern who will assist professional staff, primarily Rincon’s Natural Resources group. The Biology Intern who will perform entry-level professional biological resources work involving field surveys, data collection and analysis, and environmental compliance monitoring; assists in technical report preparation and regulatory permitting. While this role offers flexible work arrangements that includes a mix of in-office and remote work, changing business needs ultimately determine level of remote-work flexibility. This position is being offered at our Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo office.

Students applying for this internship can also apply to be part of the Environmental, Engineering, and Planning Internship and Charrette (EEPIC) program, a partnership with six leading consulting firms—Ascent, Dudek, EPS, ESA, Fehr & Peers, and PlaceWorks. This program creates opportunities for students from groups historically under-represented, including but not limited to those who represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as veterans, disabled individuals, and/or students who are first in their families to go to college. In addition to a three-month Rincon internship, EEPIC participants join a two-week charrette, collaborating with interns from partner firms on a real-world planning challenge proposed by a city, county, or agency. This unique experience offers hands-on learning, multidisciplinary teamwork, and valuable networking opportunities. Learn more about the charrette and how to apply here.

Rincon Consultants is currently accepting applications for this internship and the EEPIC Program through February 7th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities

Provide environmental monitoring for construction projects for permit compliance and resource protection. Projects may be subject to requirements from multiple permits, and include biological, water quality, habitat restoration, or other environmental areas
Conduct field investigations of proposed project sites to assess biological resources present or potentially present
May perform on-site inspections involving hazardous terrain; surveys may be conducted solo for less complex sites or as a member of a team
Manage and organize data / photographs obtained during monitoring and field surveys for inclusion in technical reports
Assist Senior Biologists and Project Managers with preparation of technical reports, plans, and permit applications
Prepare reports, plans and applications
Promote a culture of teamwork, engagement, quality service, and customer satisfaction to our public and private clients
Enhance Rincon’s professional reputation and demonstrate the ability to be creative and innovative with these tasks while representing Rincon in a professional manner
Work closely with all Rincon Team members to promote our business interests in adherence with the company’s mission, vision, and values

This Job Might Be For You If You Have The Following:

Incoming juniors, seniors, in-progress graduate college students, and those who recently graduated in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related field
Knowledge of research and statistical methods; map reading
Ability to collect, analyze, calculate, and interpret data; solve problems at less to moderately complex levels; prepare technical reports
Ability to organize, coordinate, and execute project assignments, including adherence to budgets and schedules
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team
Detail-oriented, resourceful, strong time management skills, and innovative
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and use of GPS and GIS tools
Must possess a valid California driver license, a clean driving record and willingness to travel on projects
Ability to occasionally travel/drive a vehicle (sight, hearing, and manual manipulation of driving mechanisms), sometimes off-highway / 4x4, cognitive ability to plan travel

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment and requires ambulation and movement to enable walking or hiking on rough and/or hazardous terrain and occasional climbing, crouching, kneeling, balancing on rough terrain
Field work may involve lifting equipment (up to 25 pounds) and exposure to conditions of rain, sun/heat, wind, dust, etc., with exposure to animals, plants, wet conditions, biting insects, poison oak, etc.

If applying to the EEPIC Program, please note these additional desired attributes:

Alignment with the mission of increasing diversity, including but not limited to those who represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as veterans, disabled individuals, and/or students who are first in their families to go to college
Ability to work on a 2-week in-person charrette from July 14–July 25, 2025, working on a real project located in the city of Berkeley, CA. Travel and lodging provided if needed
Please answer EEPIC- specific questions found in the internship application
Learn more about the charrette here

About Rincon
Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an award-winning leader in providing quality environmental consulting services throughout California and is recognized as a ‘Best Environmental Services Firm to Work For’ by the Zweig Group. We partner with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. Our 400+ associates in 13 offices located in Northern, Central and Southern California are dedicated professionals who combine their passion with our purpose.

The base salary for this internship opportunity is $27.00 per hour. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. To apply, a resume and cover letter are required as part of the application.

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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