Land Protection Database Intern

The Nature Conservancy•Durham, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Land Protection Database Intern performs and participates in activities that support the Land Protection Team by building out a comprehensive database and filing system for land protection projects. The Land Protection Database Intern contributes to conservation outcomes by helping build a comprehensive Smartsheet database of land protection projects and standardize digital files within Box. The Intern will gain hands‑on experience with Smartsheet, digital file management, and the fundamentals of land protection practices. This is a temporary/seasonal position working 35 hours per week for a total of 7 weeks and will be located in the Durham, NC area.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and 6 months of related experience
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
Basic proficiency with spreadsheets or data‑entry tools
Willingness to learn new software platforms, including Smartsheet
Strong communication skills and comfort asking questions to clarify tasks
A valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program
Must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Smartsheet
Experience with data organization, spreadsheets, or project management tools
Familiarity with cloud-based file storage systems
A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for improving systems and workflows

Responsibilities

Design and build core Smartsheet structures to track land protection projects, including master project sheets, dashboards, and automated workflows.
Develop project intake forms to standardize how new land protection opportunities are submitted and evaluated.
Create and refine Smartsheet reports that pull data across multiple sheets for leadership visibility, deadline tracking, and portfolio-level monitoring.
Implement data validation and standardized fields to ensure consistency across all project entries.
Collaborate with staff to gather requirements and translate them into functional Smartsheet tools.
Develop quick-reference guides for the Smartsheet tools.
Create individual project tracking sheets that capture milestones, due dates, partners, funding sources, and conservation attributes.
Set up automated reminders and status updates to support project managers and maintain momentum on active projects.
Develop templates for recuring project types to streamline future data entry and reporting.
Audit existing Box folders to understand current structures, naming conventions, and inconsistencies.
Design a standardized filing system for land protection projects, including folder hierarchies, naming conventions, and guidelines.
Migrate and reorganize existing project files into the new structure.
Document the new filing protocol so staff can easily maintain consistency going forward.
Assist Land Protection staff in designing, building, and refining a Smartsheet database to track protection projects.
Review, organize, and standardize digital files stored in Box to ensure consistency, accessibility, and long‑term usability.
Support the development of workflows and documentation that improve data quality and project tracking.
Collaborate with staff to understand land protection processes and translate those needs into effective data structures.
Maintain confidentiality and accuracy while working with sensitive project information.