Conservation and Research Internship – Volunteer Positions 2026
OPEN
ROUND 1
12 Jan - 3 April 2026
19 Jan - 10 April 2026
ROUND 2
6 April – 26 June 2026
13 April – 3rd July 2026
Join the team at the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC) as a Conservation and Research Intern!
We are seeking enthusiastic individuals to assist with our conservation and research program, including on-ground management actions, ecological research, community engagement and animal husbandry.
During your internship at the CEC, you will gain valuable experience in:
Conservation Activities: Get involved in hands-on flora and fauna surveys, seed collection and revegetation. Whilst learning about stakeholder engagement, software use (Rstudio, ArcGIS Pro, etc.) and other essential land management activities.
Research Projects: Participate in important initiatives focused on creating resilient forests, climate change adaptation, fire ecology, establishing terrestrial and marine ecological baselines, and managing feral species to contribute to regional conservation efforts.
Community Engagement: Develop your scientific communication skills by sharing key research insights from the Conservation Ecology Centre with local and international visitors at our social enterprise Wildlife Wonders.
Animal Husbandry: Assist with the daily care of our resident animals at the CEC, ensuring their well-being and participating in health checks.
Operations Management: Support the smooth operations of our non-profit by assisting with equipment maintenance, restocking first aid kits and performing vehicle checks.
This internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in every facet of working for an environmental non-profit organisation.
Available Positions in 2026:
Please indicate in your application which of the following date ranges you prefer:
12th Jan - 3rd April (Round 1)
19th Jan - 10th April (Round 1)
6th April – 26th June (Round 2)
13th April – 3rd July (Round 2)
Working hours are from 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, however these times can be flexible depending on fieldwork and individual requirements.
Key Selection Criteria
Educational Background: Relevant experience obtained through a degree in ecology, biology, wildlife conservation, zoology, conservation biology, environmental management, natural resource management (NRM), or a related field (required).
Research Experience: Experience in collecting, collating, and analysing ecological data (preferred).
Fieldwork Capability: Willingness and ability to work in remote field locations (experience preferred).
Team Collaboration: Strong ability to collaborate effectively within a small team and positively engage with others (required).
Work Ethic and Time Management: Demonstrates a strong work ethic and reliability, with the ability to manage time effectively, adhering to deadlines.
Driving Experience: Experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road (preferred); a current driver's license accepted in Australia (required).
A stipend of $6,000 will be available to successful candidates to help cover expenses during the three-month period. On-site accommodation is also available for a minimal fee.
How to Apply
To apply for an intern position, please email a current Resume along with a brief cover letter addressing the selection criteria to both:
James Templeton, Conservation Project Manager
Email: james@conservationecologycentre.org
Kay Weltz, Operations Manager
Email: kay@conservationecologycentre.org
Closing Date: Don’t Miss Out!
Please note that there is no set closing date for applications.
The advertisement will be removed from the website once we have found suitable candidates, and no further applications will be accepted thereafter. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your consideration.
