Internship Program
Tó Nizhóní Ání’s College internship program is a meaningful part of our organizational work. We are committed to developing new leaders in Environmental Justice and a Just Equitable Transition for communities impacted by coal. Interns engage closely with the campaigns and projects to which they are assigned, contributing to day-to-day work while advancing toward clearly defined learning objectives.
The program offers opportunities for mentorship, growth, and professional development within the nonprofit sector. It is designed for individuals interested in Tó Nizhóní Ání’s mission to empower communities impacted by coal.
General Information
Internships at Tó Nizhóní Ání are generally 10-weeks, paid summer internships in which interns work 20-30 hours per week at $20 per hour. Depending on the year and capacity, interns will work out of the Flagstaff office and travel out with campaign/project leads to the worksite on the Navajo Nation (Arizona).
Important Dates:
- Posting Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Application Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:45 PM MST
- Notify Applicants: Friday, April 24, 2026
- Start Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
- End Date: July/August 2026
Current Openings
Watershed Restoration Intern
Watershed Restoration interns will work alongside project lead coordinating logistics for each field session. Interns will experience hands-on learning in the entire restoration process of surveying, gathering and construction of various building methods and low-tech nature-based erosion control structures. Interns will assist project lead with data analysis/field observations involved with ecological restoration and monitoring.
Black Mesa Plant Project Intern
Interns with the Black Mesa Plant Project will work alongside the project lead in the 3rd phase of the plant project which includes the continuation of identifying plants gathered during Phase 1 and 2 of the project. The work will include ethnobotany research, data gathering and community organizing and engagement.
FAQ:
What timezone does Tó Nizhóní Ání (TNA) operate on?
- TNA operates on Mountain Standard Time (MST) aka Arizona Time. MST is one hour behind Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) aka Denver Time. The Navajo Nation operates on MDT.
Is this internship open to non-Native American students?
- Yes, this internship opportunity is open to non-Native American students.
What if I'm not located in Flagstaff or near the worksite? Can I still apply?
- No travel or lodging stipend is available, so we recommend being within a 50-mile radius of Flagstaff, AZ, for the Plant Project or Watershed project.
- *If you are within a 35-mile radius of Black Mesa/Kits'iili Chapter House, you may apply for the Watershed project only.
Will there be a housing and travel stipend?
- No, unfortunately, we are not providing travel or housing stipends for 2026.
Will this internship require me to be indoors or outdoors?
- The Watershed intern will be working both in an office setting and also out in the field throughout the internship. Please plan accordingly for summer weather in the arid outdoors. The Plant Project interns will work mostly indoors at our Flagstaff office, with occasional trips to the chapter communities on Black Mesa (Dził Yíjiin).
Where is Black Mesa/Kits'iili, AZ?
- Black Mesa/Kits'iilí, AZ is one (1) of seven (7) Navajo chapter communities located within the Black Mesa region (Dził Yíjiin). We include the chapter community's Diné (Navajo) name in our descriptions of the place to avoid confusion with the broader Black Mesa region (Dził Yíjiin). Black Mesa/Kits'iilí Chapter House is located over 23 miles north of Piñon, AZ, and 150 miles northeast of Flagstaff, AZ. The Watershed Project will be working in the Black Mesa/Kits’illi community this year.
Do I need a personal laptop for this internship?
- Yes, you will need your own laptop for this work.
Can I apply for both internships?
- Yes, you can apply for both.
When will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
- Friday, April 24, 2026, is when we will send out emails to notify all applicants. Watershed applicants should expect an email from andrew@tonizhoniani.org, and Plant Project applicants should expect an email from raeanna@tonizhoiani.org.
For more information about internship opportunities with Tó Nizhóní Ání, please email info@tonizhoniani.org