Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation focused organization. We currently offer paid 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 path; community college, technical school, four-year programs, 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 18, 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 29 – August 7, 2026
Orientation: All interns are required to attend a two-day orientation in Charlottesville on May 27-28, 2026
Pay: $18.25/hour
Location: Richmond, VA
Housing: A housing stipend is available as needed for this location
The Position:
TNC’s Chesapeake Bay Program is looking for an intern to help build a community science data collection program for submerged aquatic vegetation in the Bay. This position will work under the direction of our Wetlands Program Manager and the SAV Watchers Program. They will also work closely with volunteers, donors, Sea Grant Fellows, and TNC partners at the state level(such as VIMS, VCU, Maryland DNR). The intern will work to establish a monitoring schedule, help lead events with the public, and manage the collected data. This work will require some travel, time on the water, and will provide hands-on experience with plant identification, data management and analysis, and community engagement.
All interns will dedicate 5% of their time to professional development activities through STEP.
Main responsibilities include:
What You’ll Bring:
Required Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
STEP is designed for people early in their careers 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 starting 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 within this range 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.
