SCCF Policy & Advocacy Intern

Sanibel Sea School

Sanibel Sea School

Sanibel, FL, USA
Posted on Apr 23, 2025

SCCF Policy & Advocacy 2025 Internships

Policy internship: SCCF seeks a motivated and adept intern passionate about using policy tools to advance our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. Our policy intern will use cutting-edge science to take a pragmatic approach to real issues facing our island communities. This position will provide support to SCCF’s Environmental Policy department, serving as an essential member of the team while they engage with issues impacting the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva such as water quality, climate resilience, land use, ecosystem and Everglades restoration efforts, wildlife protection, responsible growth, and more. Interns will identify, design, and complete a project that will help protect the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. This is a paid, in-person internship based at SCCF’s headquarters on Sanibel, Florida.

Duties include:

  • Conducting research on pressing issues facing islands of Sanibel & Captiva and how local, regional, state and federal policy shapes their outcomes
  • Supporting SCCF’s policy department by tracking relevant policy changes as they occur on a timely basis
  • Engaging with local stakeholders on issues such as water quality, land use, responsible growth etc.
  • Positively represent SCCF and our commitment to serve as a science-based organization, uphold the standards of our mission and communicate evidence-based information to members of the community

Desired Qualifications:

  • Prior knowledge of local, state and federal government structure
  • Currently enrolled or recent recipient of a 4-year degree in Environmental Science, Political Science, Sustainability or related field
  • Advanced reading, writing and communication skills; able to describe nuanced topics for both a scientific and general audience
  • Knowledge of Florida ecology, specifically the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee/ Caloosahatchee systems, or desire to learn
  • Must be capable of working in an active environment, and be able to manage time effectively

Advocacy Internship

SCCF seeks a motivated and adept intern passionate about using creative advocacy tools to advance our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. Our advocacy intern will take the cutting-edge science and policy work being done by our organization and craft compelling narratives to effectively communicate to a diverse audience. This position will provide support to SCCF’s Environmental Policy department, serving as an essential member of the team to help educate about issues impacting the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva such as water quality, climate resilience, land use, ecosystem and Everglades restoration efforts, wildlife protection, responsible growth, and more. Interns will identify and design new strategies for communicating to new audiences, strengthening communication to our present members, and experimenting with new media. This is a paid, in-person internship based at SCCF’s headquarters on Sanibel, Florida.

Duties include:

  • Synthesizing data from SCCF’s marine lab and analysis from the Policy team into formats digestible by different audiences.
  • Supporting SCCF’s policy department by attending meetings and events
  • Engaging with local stakeholders on issues such as water quality, land use, responsible growth etc.
  • Positively represent SCCF and our commitment to serve as a science-based organization, uphold the standards of our mission and communicate evidence-based information to members of the community

Desired Qualifications:

  • Prior knowledge of local, state and federal government structure
  • Currently enrolled or recent recipient of a 4-year degree in Communications, Environmental Science, Political Science, Sustainability or related field
  • Advanced reading, writing and communication skills; able to describe nuanced topics for both a scientific and general audience
  • Knowledge of Florida ecology, specifically the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee/ Caloosahatchee systems, or desire to learn
  • Experience with Photoshop, Premiere Pro or graphic design software
  • Must be capable of working in an active environment, and be able to manage time effectively