Avian Protection Internship

Job Description

Avian Protection Internship

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is seeking a motivated Avian Protection Intern to join our Environmental Services team. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience, enhance technical skills, and contribute to PSE’s comprehensive avian protection program, based at our Georgetown office.

PSE’s award-winning energy efficiency programs and leadership in renewable energy are shaping the Northwest’s energy future. Our Environmental Services team is dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and developing professionals who share our passion for environmental compliance and sustainability, including our Beyond Net Zero Carbon climate goals.

About the Avian Protection Program

Our company-wide avian protection program strives to reduce impacts to birds across PSE’s electrical system and generation sites. A team of avian biologists strategically upgrades infrastructure, minimizes operational impacts on birds and habitat, and supports renewable energy initiatives to create a safer environment for birds, wildlife, and important habitats. As an intern, you will play an integral role in supporting these conservation and regulatory obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Monitor and Respond: Monitor outage reports to identify potential avian incidents, documenting and responding to avian powerline incidents as needed.
• Data Management: Organize, maintain, and update PSE’s avian incident tracking database using ArcGIS online.
• Field Activities: Conduct various field activities, including nest monitoring and management, and other field-related tasks.
• Education & Outreach: Support education and outreach activities to promote PSE’s avian protection program and collaborate with conservation partners.
• Regulatory Understanding: Learn how wildlife regulations and energy infrastructure influence the work of the avian team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Currently enrolled as a college Sophomore or higher with a major in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a similar natural resource field of study.
• Avian Interest: Strong interest in avian ecology.
• GIS Skills: Experience with ESRI software such as ArcGIS online or ArcPro.
• Academic Standing: Good academic standing.
• Work Ethic: Strong work ethic, initiative, and motivation.
• Team Player: Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Industry Interest: Interest in the energy and/or utility field.
• Work Environment: Comfortable working in both an office and field environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Data Experience: Experience with data collection and data management.
• Field Applications: Experience using field applications such as Survey123 and Field Maps.
• Bird Identification: Ability to visually and/or aurally identify birds of western and central Washington.
• Independence: Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Commitment: Commitment to safety, ethics, and PSE’s core values.
• Field Comfort: Comfortable working outside in various conditions and potentially handling birds as needed.

Additional Information

• Age Requirement: Interns must be 18 years of age or older.
• Duration: The internship generally lasts between Memorial Day and Labor Day; the start date is dependent on intern availability.
• Compensation: The pay range for this position is $20-25 per hour.
• Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status or presence of a disability that with or without reasonable accommodation does not prevent performance of the essential functions of the job, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law.

Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at jobs@pse.com or 425-462-3017.