Conservation Internship
Launch your ecological career with a hands-on Conservation Internship with Arid Recovery
Arid Recovery is offering two internships in 2026 for recent graduates looking to deepen their practical experience in ecology and conservation. Working alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team, the intern will contribute to the delivery of ecological research and field surveys that support threatened-species recovery and arid land conservation. The role also offers exposure to land management, stakeholder and community engagement, and science communication within a small, innovative conservation NGO.
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Location: Olympic Dam, South Australia
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Internship 1 dates: 30th April - 24th July 2026
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​Internship 2 dates: 13th July - 9th October 2026
Applications are now open until the 12TH of March
HOW TO APPLY IS
HERE
Tasks may include:
Collection and collation of ecological monitoring data (including vertebrate trapping and vegetation assessments)
Camera-trap and track-count surveys
Data mangement and reporting
Participation in land-management activities such as feral-animal control and reserve maintenance
Exposure to stakeholder and community engagement
Participation in research projects with Arid Recovery staff and collaborators
Community engagment through tours, events, and school visits
Housekeeping tasks essential for running a small NGO
Selection criteria:
A Bachelor degree in Science, Ecology Natural Resource Management, or Enivornmental Science
Experience in ecological and/or land management fieldwork
Experience with data entry and basic management
Demonstrated ability to independently and in a small team
Proactive and willing to take on unfamilar tasks, seek gudiance when needed
Physical fitness to undertake manual work outdoors in arid conditions
Willingness to live in a small, remote community for the duration of the placement
Eligible for living and working in Australia for at least 4 months
Current driver's licence
Fluency in written and spoken English
Bringing your own car for travel to and from the office and, as well as for personal use during the internship, is highly recommended.
Accommodation and a living allowance will be provided, as awll as contribution to your travel to and from Roxby Downs. Opportunities for paid casual work (tour guiding) may be available.
Past Interns
Nathan Beerkens
Nathan commenced a 3 month internship at Arid Recovery in February 2017, which extended for another 2 months. He had previously completed a Bachelor of Science (Zoology and Conservation Biology) at the University of Western Australia and a BSc (Hons) at Murdoch University, where he studied the ecology and physiology of estuarine fish. During his internship, Nathan studied the suitability of the Reserve for kowaris, and created a translocation proposal for the species. Nathan remained at Arid Recovery in the role of Field Ecologist and Community Coordinator before going to Western Australia where he is the Senior Zoologist at Biota Environmental.
Emily Gregg
Emily commenced a 3 month internship at Arid Recovery in February 2017. She had previously completed a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and Master of Science (Zoology) at the University of Melbourne, where she investigated the feasibility of using a waterless barrier to halt cane toad spread in Western Australia. During her internship, Emily researched the effectiveness of using one-way gates as a bettong management tool, and also analysed our social media impact. Emily is now undertaking a PhD with the Interdisciplinary Conservation (ICON) Science Group at RMIT. Her project aims to improve communications for threatened species conservation, with a focus on effectively engaging the public and decision-makers with so-called “non-charismatic” species (e.g. reptiles, rodents, insects and plants).
Rachel Loneragan
Rachel commenced a 3 month internship at Arid Recovery in October 2016. She had previously completed a Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation at Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) at the University of Technology, Sydney, where she investigated the spatial population regulation of ground-dwelling mammals in urban areas. During her internship, Rachel designed and performed the first trials of using one-way gates as a bettong management tool.