Mālama ʻĀina Practitioner

The Nature Conservancy • Makawao, HI

32d • $22

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Nature Conservancy’s Internships @TNC program offers paid, 8-week summer engagement opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates. Internships may be based out of locations around the United States and gain hands-on experience that connects academic learning with real-world conservation work. As part of this internship program, you’ll step into a supportive learning environment where your perspective truly matters! Interns will contribute new insights to real projects and collaborate with teams across the Conservancy to explore creative solutions. Participants receive a structured and engaging onboarding week, professional development and training, meaningful mentorship, and valuable networking opportunities all while contributing to impactful projects that support our mission. This 8-week engagement will begin on Monday, June 15 – Friday, August 7, 2026. Interns will be required to complete a capstone project. Join us and help advance TNC’s 2030 goals. We’re Looking for You: To meet our 2030 goals, The Nature Conservancy is advancing new approaches and looking for emerging leaders who are ready to shape that future! Our work sits at the dynamic intersection of people and nature where fresh ideas, new skillsets, and adaptable thinking are essential. We’re searching for purpose driven, curious, and enthusiastic interns who are eager to make a difference and have fun while doing it! If you’re excited about making meaningful changes for the planet and its people, join us! What You’ll Bring: The Maui Island Terrestrial Program manages 11,000 acres at three preserves located in Maui county. The M ālama ʻ Āina Practitioner will support stewardship priorities at each preserve and be based out of the Maui Terrestrial office where 19 miles of fences protect wet, mesic and dry forests on East and West Maui and Lāna ʻ i. The M ālama ʻ Āina Practitioner position requires an enthusiastic, motivated, action-oriented, self-starter to play an essential role in ecosystem threat abatement operations. These operations include surveying, mapping, monitoring, and controlling alien species and their impacts to forests and native ecosystems. The M ālama ʻ Āina Practitioner must be able to camp in remote mountainous areas for up to five nights at a time each month in extremely rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions as well as do multiple day trips. The work environment involves exposure to job hazards where there is a high possibility of injury, including helicopter operations , so a commitment to safety is essential. The Mālama ʻ Ā ina Practitioner will assist the Maui Island team and partners with all aspects of field operations and office support that includes data collection, fence construction/surveys/repairs, feral ungulate control, predator control, trail maintenance, alien plant removal, vegetation monitoring and baseyard, vehicle and equipment maintenance. The Mālama ʻ Āina Practitioner will regularly use GPS in the field and download, compile and manage monitoring data with a spatial database to produce GIS summary maps and assists the Natural Resource Manager (NRM) with developing resource management plans and reports using a database or PC. The Mālama ʻ Āina Practitioner will assist with leading volunteers and volunteer groups on service work events and help conduct outreach activities which include assisting with interpretive hikes, special events and educational field trips. Compliance with field safety protocol, preserve use policies, baseyard rules, and alien species cleanliness protocols is essential. The Mālama ʻ Āina Practitioner must be able to communicate with hike participants and colleagues on field conditions and project status. This position is supervised by the Field Coordinator.

Requirements

• Currently e nrolled in an undergraduate program, graduate program, or a recent graduate ( within six months )
• Basic understanding of Hawaii’s natural history or experience working in Hawaii's natural systems (ecosystems, terrestrial, aquatic or marine)

Responsibilities

• Assist the Maui Island team and partners with all aspects of field operations and office support that includes data collection, fence construction/surveys/repairs, feral ungulate control, predator control, trail maintenance, alien plant removal, vegetation monitoring and baseyard, vehicle and equipment maintenance.
• Regularly use GPS in the field and download, compile and manage monitoring data with a spatial database to produce GIS summary maps and assists the Natural Resource Manager (NRM) with developing resource management plans and reports using a database or PC.
• Assist with leading volunteers and volunteer groups on service work events and help conduct outreach activities which include assisting with interpretive hikes, special events and educational field trips.
• Compliance with field safety protocol, preserve use policies, baseyard rules, and alien species cleanliness protocols is essential.
• Communicate with hike participants and colleagues on field conditions and project status.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees