Climate Solutions Intern - Fall 2025

Job Description

Internship: Climate Solutions Internship

Location: Central Park Zoo (in person) with periodic field trips

Department: Education

Duration: Fall 2025 - September-December; 14 weeks total; approximately 85-100 hours total

Schedule: Saturdays, 9:30a-4:00 with 30 minute lunch break

Number of Positions Available: 15-20

Application Deadline: 4/30/2025

Stipend: $400 to be paid as one lump sum upon the successful completion of the internship, less applicable taxes.

Internship Summary

Climate Solutions Interns are undergraduate students based in NYC who are interested in finding where they fit in the global fight against climate change. Interns will be trained to understand the climate crisis and join the Wildlife Conservation Society in its goal of extending climate education and action into NYC neighborhoods. With resources and guidance from mentors, interns will select a social research question of their choice and use their findings to synthesize a formal plan for how their communities can adapt to a climate-related phenomenon. Interns do not need previous experience with science, but should have an interest and willingness to learn.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn the scientific causes of climate change and the social effects on NYC communities and environmental effects on ecosystems.
• Meet with professionals in various green industries to learn how their work relates directly or indirectly to climate adaptation or mitigation.
• Hone communication and project management skills needed to both present a research project and initiate meaningful conversations about climate related issues within your social circles.
• Learn about the variety of career pathways in the zoo, aquarium, conservation, and green career field including training and degrees necessary.
• Learn and develop workplace skills needed to excel in an internship or job experience
• Make preparations to be a competitive applicant for green industry internships & jobs and receive support in applying for and pursuing new opportunities.
  
  

Qualification Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled as a CUNY (City University of New York) undergraduate student or in a trade school. Preference will be given to those in their sophomore and junior years.
• Interest in learning about climate change, sustainability and green jobs.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Students 18 and older must successfully pass a background screening if accepted (provided by WCS)
  
  

What To Expect In The Application

• The application will ask you to upload a resume, but this is not required. You DO NOT need to upload a cover letter.
• You will be asked to provide the name, email, and phone number of at least 1 reference.
• You will be asked to provide 100-200 word responses to the following long answer questions. Applicants who do not fully respond to these questions will not be considered.
• What skills and/or experience make you a strong candidate for this position?
• What are some sustainable actions you would like to promote and how do they support conservation?
• Tell us about something you have done to benefit the environment or your local ecosystem/community (these can be big or small actions)
• Have you ever participated in a program at, worked for, or volunteered with one of the WCS Zoos or Aquarium? If so, tell us about your experience. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about in support of your application?
  

Salary Range

$400 Stipend