What We Can Achieve Together:

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 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 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 participate in an orientation, professional development webinars, and a group field trip. Along the way, interns will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with Nature Conservancy staff and partners. 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 15, 2026 at midnight. Zoom interviews will occur in early March with final hiring decisions made by March 31.

Schedule: 35 hours/week for 6 months (June 15 – December 15)

Pay: $18.25/hour

Location: Abingdon, VA

Housing: A housing stipend is available as needed for this location.

The Position:

TNC’s Clinch Valley 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) Conservation Forestry, (2) Land Protection, and (3) Volunteer/Community Outreach. This position will work closely with several TNC staff members and be supervised by our Community Outreach Manager.

The 6-month position will involve working with TNC’s Clinch Valley Program team to learn more about our work in Southwest Virginia and assist our staff with a variety of essential activities including: conservation easement and preserve monitoring, field-based stewardship on lands enrolled in our 23,000-acre Conservation Forestry program, and providing support to our community outreach and volunteer programs. The position will likely spend approximately 2/3 time in the field and 1/3 time in the office.

All interns will dedicate a minimum of 5% of their time to professional development activities through STEP.

Specific work tasks may include but not be limited to:

• Marking and field monitoring of Conservation Forestry Program ownership and easement boundaries

• Conducting field mapping and condition assessments of Conservation Forestry Program 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 Clinch Valley Program staff as opportunities and needs may arise.

What You’ll Bring:

Required Qualification:

Required Qualifications

• Recent college graduate from a 4-year institution with applicable natural resource experience and an interest in conservation

• Experience or interest working in remote, outdoor settings in variable and sometimes physically challenging conditions, including inclement weather

• A valid driver's license

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge, understanding, and demonstrated experience with the forest and freshwater ecosystems of Southwest 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

• Some experience with public outreach and volunteer engagement

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 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 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.

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.