Dr. Ned Rubert-Nason is seeking 2-3 incoming first-year undergraduate student interns (e.g., current high school seniors) for paid internships during the summers of 2025 and 2026 in Fort Kent, Maine. Interns will be paid $14.80/h for ~30h/week and will have opportunities for affordable housing and transportation options for internship tasks, but must provide their own transportation to Fort Kent. The opportunities will include a blend of laboratory and field work. Interns will learn to co-create knowledge with and for Indigenous partners, collect ecological assessments, measure photosynthesis with cutting-edge equipment, and perform chemical analysis of plant and soil specimens in a laboratory. No previous research or lab experience necessary. The schedule is flexible, and interns are encouraged to participate individually and collectively recreational opportunities in northern Maine, such as fishing, canoeing/kayaking, camping, biking, and ATVing. Interns will also be invited to participate in a critical learning theory study. If interested, please send a memorandum of inquiry to Dr. Kennedy “Ned” Rubert-Nason (kennedy.rubertnason@maine.edu).
Student and Youth Opportunities
The Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science & Forestry is recruiting students for graduate study in diverse environmental sciences from ecology, sustainability, conservation biology to restoration and environmental engineering. As a member of the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership, the program provides funding for full tuition and stipends for Native American students pursuing MS and PhD degrees. Applications are open so please join us in this exciting initiative. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and interested students must also apply to (or be enrolled in) a graduate program at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). Contact cnpeinfo@esf.edu for more information.
The center for Tribal Research and Education in Ecosystem Sciences—TREES—provides internship opportunities and support to tribal students and professionals looking to advance their careers in Natural Resource fields. Our programs place college students in science-based internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Forestry and Fire Depts., and other qualified partners. We also provide opportunities for continuing education to technicians and other working professionals.
On average, we offer 7-8 positions every year across both our programs in Forestry and Wildland Fire management. Forestry interns must enroll in a 4-year Forestry major to qualify. Wildland Fire interns can be enrolled in either a 2-year or a 4-year program in any Natural Resource major.
TREES works in cooperation with the Department of Forestry at Salish Kootenai College and many other academic institutions across the U.S.
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TREES also provides coordination and management of Pathways internships and professional development opportunities for Native American students for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in both forestry and wildland fire participation. This program not only offers students paid employment, while they continue their education, but also gives them valuable and unique work experiences. Placements are rotational summer assignments within different programs and work environments, where students can train and job shadow with industry professionals. This partnership allows Native American students to get real world training, federal experience, as well as $5,000 in annual tuition assistance.
