Pinelands Conservation Intern

Job Description

Description

What We Can Achieve Together:

Join TNC Virginia as a STEP (Short-Term Experience Program) Intern!

The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation focused organization. We offer seasonal and short-term positions and internships in a range of disciplines across our Virginia Teams. With a focus on recruiting and developing a diverse staff, we strive to create an environment where people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities feel welcomed to participate in conservation. Wherever you are in your educational journey; community college, technical school, four-year program, or graduate school, STEP may have an opportunity for you to consider!

All STEP interns will attend an orientation, professional development webinars, and one group field trip. Along the way, interns will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with The Nature Conservancy staff and partners. At the end of their internship, STEP interns will give a short presentation about their time at TNC to the Virginia staff. This position will close on February 26, 2026 at midnight. Zoom interviews will occur in early March with final hiring decisions made by March 31.

Schedule: 35 hours/week for 10 weeks from May 27 – August 7, 2026

Orientation: All interns are required to attend a two-day orientation in Charlottesville, VA on May 27-28, 2026

Pay: $18.25/hour

Location: Waverly, VA

Housing: Shared housing is available at this location with the rental value included as non-cash taxable income

The Position:

TNC’s Pinelands Stewardship Team is looking for an intern to assist with their preserve management work. The intern will be working in the field helping with trail maintenance, invasive species removal and general land management activities, including work around the federally threatened Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. This position may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Interns will dedicate 5% of their time to professional development activities through STEP.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Hiking and operating equipment solo or in a small team on trails/fire roads to document invasive plants, culverts, or other infrastructure needs
• Using GIS applications, GPS units, and field tablets to document infrastructure or wildlife habitats
• Maintaining all equipment provided by TNC throughout the internship term

What You’ll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, or equivalent
• Experience working in outdoor settings in variable and sometimes physically challenging conditions
• Must have a valid driver’s license, safe driving record (per TNC Auto Safety Program) and provide own transportation to various work sites, and personal automobile insurance

Desired Qualifications

• The ability to work in physically demanding environments such as extensive walking, carrying loads over 20lbs, in hot or inclement weather
• The ability to identify common native and non-native plants found in Virginia
• Familiarity with Field Maps, Arc PRO, and other ESRI applications
• Experience operating ATV’s, UTV’s, tractors, boats, or other off-road vehicles
• Student interested in pursuing a career in conservation, particularly with regard to wildland fire, or threatened species habitat management

STEP is designed for people early in their education or career path or with limited prior professional experience.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

The pay for a candidate selected for this position is $18.25/hour. This only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Applications will be received until this position is filled.