Pinelands Conservation Intern (VSU)

The Nature Conservancy • Forestbrook, SC

4d • $18 - $18 • Hybrid

About The Position

Join TNC Virginia as a STEP Intern! 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 Team. 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 receive an orientation, professional development webinars, and chances to visit TNC sites. Along the way, interns will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with 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. Schedule: : 150 hours total, intended to be worked on a part-time basis between August - December. Specific schedules will be determined upon hiring. Pay: $18.25/hour Location: Hybrid schedule, with time split between Piney Grove Preserve and a TNC office or remote work. Ideally the intern will be available for one day of field work per week. The Position: TNC is looking for an intern interested in gaining hands-on experience in natural resource management at one of TNC’s most popular preserves, Piney Grove Preserve. The intern will work alongside TNC staff, collecting ecological data to inform our forest management projects. Throughout the 10-week program, the intern will learn about forest stewardship, ecological restoration, prescribed fire management, invasive species control and public use of conserved lands. The intern will also have access to various training opportunities. The intern will be assigned to projects blending on-the-ground activities at Piney Grove Preserve with indoor/computer-based work that can be conducted from a remote location or TNC office. The intern will work part-time for a total of 100 hours during the fall semester.

Requirements

• Must be a current Virginia State University student
• Genuine interest in exploring a career in the field of conservation
• A willingness to work outdoors, sometimes in variable weather and physically challenging conditions (this intern will spend time doing field data collection with TNC staff)
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience learning new procedures and following instructions
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• 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. 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience, coursework, or other training using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online

Responsibilities

• Assisting with field data collection at our Piney Grove Preserve. The intern will be trained on the use of iPad applications (Survey123) for field data collection.
• Assisting with vegetation monitoring, tree coring, and seed collection at our Piney Grove Preserve
• Using ArcPRO software to assemble field data and to create maps to be used by TNC staff for various forest stewardship and public outreach projects
• Assisting the Pinelands Team with other tasks related to land protection and management

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.
• We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed