FAQs

What is the deadline for applications?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting in November. Applications for internships must be received at ACF by 5 pm on February 15, 2008. Applications received after February 15 and incomplete applications are ineligible for consideration. We regret that we are unable to make any exceptions to this February 15th deadline. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED, AND APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 INTERNSHIPS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED.

Where are the internship positions for the 2008 season posted on the website?
Internship opportunities are posted on our 2008 Internship Opportunities page.

What is the application procedure?
Students interested in becoming an ACF Intern must complete and submit an application and other required material to be received at the ACF office no later than 5 pm on February 15, 2008. Please send your completed application along with:

• A current resume.
• One official copy of your college transcript(s), including your current (or final) GPA.
• Two letters of recommendation addressing your candidacy for the internship assignment:
• One letter should be obtained from a teacher or academic advisor at your university.
• The other letter should be obtained from someone who can speak about your motivation and direction in the conservation field.
• A writing sample may also be requested. See specific job description.

Transcripts and letters of reference may be sent separately from the internship application packet, but they must also be received at the ACF office by 5 pm on February 15, 2008.

Prospective interns are strongly discouraged from contacting the host organizations directly. ACF will notify all applicants regarding the status of their application following the review process.  All hiring decisions will be made by March 15, 2008.

Is there a stipend provided by ACF?
ACF does provide a stipend of $4,000 for the 12-week internship. With rare exceptions, this amount is provided directly to the host organization and is paid to the intern as taxable salary.

Is travel assistance available?
ACF will reimburse each intern for the lowest cost round-trip airfare to and from their school/home to the host organization location, up to $1,000. This travel reimbursement is, in most instances, provided directly to the host organization following the intern’s arrival in Alaska. Interns must submit the receipt for their travel to their host organization upon arriving in Alaska. Reimbursement will be received directly from the host organization.  We ask that interns purchase the lowest-cost, round-trip option as soon as possible after the hiring decision and prior to two weeks before departure.

When will I know if I am awarded an internship?
A committee reviews and host organizations interview candidates.  This process takes about 30 days from the February 15th deadline. As a result, hiring decisions will be made by March 17th.  All applicants will receive final notification via email or regular mail no later than March 30th.

Is housing and transportation provided?
Transportation to and from Alaska is reimbursed by ACF through the host organization, as outlined above. However, daily transportation to and from your summer job is not provided by ACF.  Many interns bring their bikes, purchase a low-cost bike, carpool, walk, use bus service, or share a vehicle.

Host organizations are responsible for assisting the intern in finding low- to no-cost housing prior to their arrival.  Host organizations may also be able to assist with local transportation needs, such as notification about public transportation options.

Are internships available outside of the summer season?
Internships are not available outside the summer season.

Can I receive college credit for my internship?
Students selected as ACF-sponsored interns need to coordinate directly with their universities to obtain course credit for their work.

Who is eligible to apply?
The Conservation Internship Program is open to citizens of the United States who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or are recent college graduates.  Applicants must be citizens of the United States.

How are interns chosen?
This is a competitive process. Interns are initially selected based on their compatibility with the host organization's needs, as well as with the goals of Alaska Conservation Foundation's Conservation Internship Program. A committee reviews the initial applications and selects applications for the host organizations to review and interview.  All hiring decisions are made by the host organizations.

Applicants should not contact the host organizations directly or send them application materials.
Please direct all questions regarding the Alaska Conservation Foundation Conservation Internship Program to ACF at 907-276-1917 or acfinfo@akcf.org. All applications will be acknowledged and students will be notified of the program's final decisions by email or regular mail no later than March 30th.

What is expected of an ACF intern?

• A signed internship agreement committing the student to the duration of the internship,
• A commitment to their host organization during the twelve weeks they are employed in Alaska,
• Participation in intern activities, including “brown-bag” meetings with ACF and other interns,
• Completion of a project as directed by the host organization,
• A final evaluation and minimum three-page internship report to ACF at the conclusion of their assignment,
• Arranging course credit with their university, and
• To have fun and enjoy their time in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

What is expected of the host organization?

• Creating a work plan for the intern;
• Identifying temporary housing for the intern prior to their arrival, and if possible, modes of transportation;
• Orienting the intern to the community and to the host organization;
• Providing the intern with relevant work and the opportunity to learn;
• Providing an appropriate workspace and equipment;
• Providing direct supervision and an active mentorship;
• Keeping ACF informed of the intern’s work and any problems or other issues relating to the intern;
• Completing an intern evaluation at the end of the internship period;
• Covering all overhead expenses related to hiring an intern (i.e., employer’s portion of Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, etc.)

What is ACF’s role?

• Responds to questions about the program.
• Receives and processes applications.
• Works with host organizations to identify the type of intern needed.
• Serves as a liaison and a resource for the intern and for the host organization.
• Facilitates “Brown Bag” lunches and/or other formal and informal opportunities for interns to learn.
• Provides stipends and travel reimbursement for interns, generally through the host organization.