About this role
What We Can Achieve Together:
Join TNC Virginia’s STEP Program!
The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation focused organization. We currently offer paid internships and short-term roles 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 welcome to participate in conservation. Wherever you are on your educational journey; community college, technical school, four-year program, or graduate school, STEP may have an opportunity for you to consider!
All STEP hires will receive an orientation, professional development webinars, and have chances to visit TNC sites. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to broaden your experiences through interactions with Nature Conservancy staff and partners. At the end of your internship, you will give a short presentation about your time at TNC to the Virginia staff.
This position will be open for at least two-weeks from the posting date. Please submit a resume and cover letter. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Schedule : 35 hours/week for 6 months
Pay: $22/hour
State Date: January 18 preferred, but no later than January 29
Location : Charlottesville, VA
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We’re Looking for You:
TNC’s Central Stewardship Program is looking for a STEP intern to assist with land stewardship and community outreach. This will be accomplished by supporting three areas of our program: (1) stewardship and prescribed fire, (2) fee land and easement monitoring, and (3) volunteer/community outreach. This position will work closely with several TNC staff members and be supervised by our Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Specialist.
The 6-month position will involve working with TNC’s Central Stewardship Program team to learn more about our work in Virginia and assist our staff with a variety of essential activities. The internship will focus on field-based stewardship on preserves across the state. This includes participating in prescribed burns, easement monitoring, and supporting volunteer programs. The intern will have the opportunity to work with the entire Stewardship Team and members of our Landscape Programs. The position will spend approximately 2/3 time in the field and 1/3 time in the office working both with the team and independently. Some overnight or weekend travel should be expected.
Specific work tasks may include but not be limited to:
- Participating in prescribed fire operations (Rx fire, prep, mop up, monitoring)
- Maintenance of fire and stewardship equipment and vehicles
- Marking and field monitoring of fee ownership and easement boundaries
- Conducting field mapping and condition assessments of preserve roads, trail systems, and other features of conservation interests
- Monitoring for the presence of invasive species or other ecological inventories
- Assisting in the execution of small-scale treatments for timber stand improvement, primarily using hand tools
- Recording data with field iPad, GPS, ESRI Survey 123 or Field Maps software
- Operating, loading, and unloading a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle, truck and trailer according to established safety protocols
- Assisting with the planning, implementation, and reporting associated with volunteer land stewardship and community outreach activities
- Assisting with conservation easement and TNC Preserve monitoring and reporting
- Assisting with land protection record management and retention
- Providing support to other Central Stewardship Program staff as opportunities and needs may arise.
What You’ll Bring:
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STEP is designed for people early in their careers or with limited prior professional experience.
- High school diploma or GED and 1 year’s training in science-related field or related experience in land management
- A demonstrated interest in working in the conservation field
- Experience working in remote, outdoor settings in variable and sometimes physically challenging conditions, including inclement weather
- Must achieve physical fitness standards as determined by local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual (Work capacity test: walking 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying a 45 lb pack)
- Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
- Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. Lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment)
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application.
Desired Qualifications
- Valid red card or completed NWCG course work for Firefighter Type 2(S-130, S-190, L-180, ICS-100, IS-700)
- Knowledge, understanding, and demonstrated experience with the forest and freshwater ecosystems of Virginia
- Basic proficiency in ArcGIS mapping programs
- Basic proficiency in field data collection with field iPad, GPS, ESRI Survey 123, and/or Field Maps software
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (excel, outlook, word, etc.)
- Some experience with public outreach and volunteer engagement
- One or more season of wildland or prescribed fire 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 . 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.
Salary Information:
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The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is $22.00 per hour. This only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. 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.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
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. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here .
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.