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Internships with DNREC

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers full-time paid internships to college students and recent graduates eager to work alongside professionals while cultivating their own career paths.

A group of 13 young adults pose outdoors under leafy trees.
Members of the 2024 DNREC internship cohort gathered at the St. Jones Reserve. (DNREC/Errol Ebanks)

Most positions are part of a 12-week summer program, which will employ up to 18 interns in various roles throughout the Department. Some positions will be available outside of the summer months. Opportunities are available at DNREC offices throughout the state, at locations in all three Delaware counties, some with hybrid or flexible work schedules available.

The internships offer a competitive salary of $17 per hour and up to a 37.5-hour work week, allowing interns to gain valuable, hands-on experience. This practical exposure is intended to open doors for those who want to establish careers in public service and/or environmental science.

Internships are available in several fields, including:

  • Engineering and compliance
  • Marketing communications
  • Environmental research and education
  • Community and volunteer engagement
  • Workforce development
  • Strategic planning
  • Government administration and permitting
  • Data science and statistics

Who Are We Looking For?

In 2024, DNREC hired 17 interns representing six different schools. They served in all three counties.
Learn More

The Department is looking for current college students, or recent graduates, with a vision for a sustainable future who are passionate about making a positive impact on the environment.

Candidates should be interested in working alongside professionals who share that passion for the environment and are committed to making a difference.

The internships are ideal for those interested in a career in public service, environmental science or related areas.

2025 DNREC Internship Cohort

DNREC plans to hire up to 18 interns for 2025. Most internships will run from June through August, with some flexibility for May start dates. A handful of internships are being offered in the spring. Please read descriptions carefully to determine the employment period for each position.

The summer internship program will include event opportunities for networking with fellow interns as well as key Department staff.

The positions in this cohort are listed below, by Division, with a brief description.

More detailed descriptions of each internship, including specific job duties, job requirements, schedules and other information is available via the “Learn More” links included with each description.

How to Apply

Choose the position(s) you’d like to apply for. Be sure to read the description(s) to determine eligibility and check for special application instructions.

Download and complete the State of Delaware Casual/Seasonal Employment Application, a fillable PDF. It’s helpful to save the file with your name included.

Submit your application and supporting documents online.

If you have any questions about the internships or the application, please let us know.

Division of Community and Legislative Affairs


Marketing Communications Intern

Work with the DNREC Public Affairs team to develop content, increase brand awareness, engage with constituents and support a wide range of marketing and communications efforts. (Learn More)

Division of Parks and Recreation


Volunteer and Workforce Development Intern

Contribute to the evaluation and enhancement of workforce programs within Delaware State Parks, including internships, youth corps programs, work-based learning, volunteer hosts and apprenticeship programs. (Learn More)

Delaware State Parks Planning and Grants Intern

Work with the Planning section to support and advance strategic park planning and grant initiatives across Delaware’s state parks system. (Learn More)

Environmental Literacy and Youth Engagement Intern

Work with the State Parks Chief of Interpretation to support public programs and interpretive efforts across Delaware State Parks. (Learn More)

Division of Watershed Stewardship


Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Monitoring and Restoration Intern

 Work with the SAV Program to expand SAV restoration efforts across the state and begin data collection for a long-term surveying effort. This is a spring internship. (Learn More)

Sediment and Stormwater Program Intern

Work with the Sediment and Stormwater Program to perform site compliance inspections, complete compliance reports, and maintain data for construction projects throughout the state. (Learn More)

Division of Air Quality


Engineering Intern – Engineering and Compliance

Support the Engineering and Compliance Program to gather, manage and report data related to facilities with concrete and asphalt crushing permits throughout the state. (Learn More)

Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy


DNERR Avian Education Intern

Work with the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) and Coastal Management Program on education and outreach. This position will focus on an avian project, including development of education materials and trainings, interpretation of data, and analysis of anthropogenic debris in avian nests. (Learn More)

DNERR Research Intern

Assist the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) and Coastal Management Program with research and monitoring projects focusing on tidal marsh ecosystems as well as participatory science projects such as horseshoe crab surveys. (Learn More)

Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances


Strategic Planning Intern

Provide technical assistance with research, data analysis, project management and support for updating and implementing the Remediation Section’s strategic plan. (Learn More)

Assistant Ombudsman Intern

Work directly with the division Ombudsman to provide outreach support to all programs within the Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, create educational materials for public dissemination, and provide editorial oversight and facilitate communication with the department’s Public Affairs section. (Learn More)

Management Analyst Intern

Contribute to the Remediation Section by working to collect data from internal and external sources, ensuring data is accurate and well-organized, and collaborating with team members to recommend and implement process improvements that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of remediation practices. (Learn More)

Division of Water


Field Scientist Intern – Environmental Laboratory

Work with staff from the Environmental Laboratory to perform chemical, biological and ecological analyses in wetlands, ponds, streams, rivers and estuaries throughout Delaware. (Learn More)

GIS Technician Intern

Work alongside an experienced DNREC GIS Specialist to gain real-world hands-on experience applying sound Geospatial Principles and Analysis using databases, applications, and ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This is a spring internship offered in two 6-week sessions. (Learn More)

Wetland and Waterways Permitting Intern

 Work with staff from the Wetland and Waterways Section to review permit applications, construction plans and technical specifications, and calculations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. (Learn More)

Wastewater and Stormwater Permitting Intern

Work with staff from the Commercial and Government Services Section to review permit applications, construction plans and technical specifications, and calculations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. (Learn More)

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