Volunteering to work at DERM can benefit you, the environment, and our community. There are several opportunities to volunteer to work at DERM, so you can choose how to best lend a hand to improve and restore Miami-Dade County's environment. In some cases, you can receive community service hours or qualify for college credits. The following are the volunteer opportunities that we offer:

Adopt-a-Tree is a program that is helping to green our community. This popular Miami-Dade County Program has given away over 130,000 FREE trees to the residents of the county from 2001 through 2008; and it will continue to distribute more free trees in 2009.

Program volunteers can help during the Adopt-a-Tree events to hand out free trees. Events are scheduled on weekends once a month during the summer. This is an ideal program for large and small organizations that are looking to volunteer as a group. Individual volunteers are also welcomed.

Participants are eligible to receive community service hours. For more information, please visit the Adopt-a-Tree webpage or call 305-372-6784.

Baynanza is a celebration of Biscayne Bay and its significance as one of our most important ecological and economic systems. While Baynanza includes over 30 great environmental events that take place from March through April, the event that has become nearly synonymous with the celebration is the annual Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day.

During this three hour event, thousands of community participants come out to the shores and islands of Biscayne Bay. These super volunteers collectively removed tons of trash from over 28 different sites along the shorelines of Miami-Dade County. This is a perfect event for Scout troops of all ages. Participants are eligible to receive community service hours. For more information, please visit Baynanza's webpage or call 305-372-6784.

Volunteers who participate in the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program can help to protect our rare native habitats!  Volunteers of all ages can get involved by signing up for one of our EEL Workdays. This is a seasonal program that usually runs from September through May of the following year.

Together, we will help protect and restore our rare native habitats by removing exotic vegetation, restoring native vegetation, enhancing trails, and conducting clean-up activities. For more information, visit the EEL webpage or call 305-372-6687.

DERM is actively involved in the protection and restoration of our sensitive and unique coastal areas. This means that natural areas such as coastal wetlands, which are essential for our local environment, are meticulously restored by utilizing various hands-on methods such as planting mangrove seedlings.

Volunteers can be a part of this major environmental program and can see the fruit of their labor grow through the years. This volunteer program has been featured in The Miami Herald, and in 2008 its coordinator received the Miami-Dade County Employee of the Year Award for the Bacallao Category for his outstanding work with volunteer groups. For more information, please call 305-372-6864.

There is significant interest by students (undergraduate and graduate college students) in "interning" within DERM. The diversity of subjects and tasks within the Divisions serves as a "magnet" program for students in environmental fields.

As such, interns interested in working within the department benefit greatly through active participation in select office and field activities under the supervision of experienced and trained staff. In order to provide a well-balanced educational experience to these interns, we have identified activities that will meet the goal of providing the enhanced educational experience, while maintaining safety and minimizing risks.

The Environmental Intern Program can be a terrific opportunity for those individuals enrolled in their third or fourth year of their undergraduate degree or enrolled in their Master's Program wishing to contribute their time and skills towards achieving DERM's goals, as well as gain experience in an area that may be of career interest. Interns do not replace employees; rather their efforts add support for environmental protection efforts and help to expand service to the public.

Application Process:
To find information and availability about the Environmental Intern Program, such as pay and job requirements,  visit the Human Resources website and complete the application on line.  DERM Human Resources Specialists often review the list of applicants, and those meeting the minimum qualifications are contacted.

The DERM Intern Program can be a terrific opportunity for those wishing to contribute their time and skills towards achieving DERM's goals, as well as gain experience in an area that may be of career interest. DERM intern applicants do not replace employees; rather their efforts add support for environmental protection efforts and help to expand service to the public.

You must be currently enrolled in a college or university toward a Bachelor's or Master's Degree program in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related degree.

Application Process:
DERM intern applicants may come from all backgrounds and have a variety of skills to contribute. Interested applicants may fill out the DERM intern application  and/or provide all relevant information (resume/official transcript), which will be maintained in our database and provided to those supervisors interested in having a DERM intern within their section/division.

The application could be mailed to Miami-Dade County, DERM Office of Administrative Services 701 NW 1st Court Suite 400 Miami, FL 33136, or you can fax it to 305-372-6760 to the attention of Mr. Ulises Lincheta.  For additional information, please contact Mr. Ulises Lincheta in DERM's Office of Administrative Services at 305-372-6783 or email at derminterns@miamidade.gov.

Intern Qualifications:
Applicants must be enrolled in a college or university toward a Bachelor's or a Master's Degree program in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related degree AND must have completed a minimum of 90 college credits in one of these environmental science degrees.

Applicants may come from all backgrounds and have a variety of skills to contribute. For additional information, please contact Mr. Ulises Lincheta in DERM's Office of Administrative Services at 305-372-6783 or email at linchu@miamidade.gov.

Our dedicated professionals are making a difference in today's world. Become a part of the DERM team, search for open positions on our Online Employment Application site.
Thank you for your interest in joining the dynamic family of Miami-Dade County employees. Each one of us is committed to delivering excellence every day and plays an important role providing the local and regional services that affect the quality of life residents in this community enjoy. We work together everyday to ensure that Miami-Dade County retains its image as an exciting place to work, play and live. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference while working in a vibrant and challenging environment, we are interested in talking to you.

Miami-Dade County is a rewarding place to work, with great benefits and a stimulating work environment. All aspects of the employment process are coordinated by the Employee Relations Department, which posts new employment opportunities as soon as they become available.