Coastal Conservation Intern

What We:

Can Achieve Together: Join TNC Virginia as a STEP (Short-Term

Experience:

Program) Intern! The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain

experience:

with a conservation focused organization.

We offer:

seasonal and short-term positions and 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,

experience:

s, and identities feel welcomed to participate in conservation. Wherever you are in your

education:

al journey; community college, technical school, four-year program, or graduate school, STEP may have an

opportunity:

for you to consider! All STEP interns will attend an orientation, professional development webinars, and one group field trip. Along the way, interns will have the

opportunity:

to broaden their

experience:

s 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 (Tuesday through Saturday) for 10 weeks from May 27 – August 7, 2026.

Requires flexibility and may include some early mornings and late afternoons depending on tides and weather. Orientation: All interns are required to attend a two-day orientation in Charlottesville, VA on May 27-28, 2026 Pay: $18.25/hour Location: Nassawadox, VA Housing: Shared housing is available at this location with the rental value included as non-cash taxable income The Position: As part of the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve (VVCR) team, the STEP Coastal Conservation Intern will become part of a cutting-edge Landscape Program that has worked to protect a unique coastal landscape using a science-based, partnership approach to management and conservation for over 50 years.

The VVCR is one of the last expanses of coastal wilderness on the U.S. East Coast and encompasses over 40,000 acres of natural landscape throughout the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including 14 barrier and marsh islands and thriving eelgrass meadows and oyster reefs in back-barrier coastal bays. The Coastal Conservation Intern will assist the VVCR team with efforts around marine habitat restoration, stewardship for migratory birds, preserve management, and

education:

and public outreach on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This intern will work closely with science and conservation staff. The position requires frequent boat rides and may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Interns will dedicate 5% of their time to professional development activities through STEP. Primary

responsibilities:

include assisting with: Land and water based marine habitat restoration activities including maintaining an eelgrass seed curing facility, oyster reef construction and restoration efforts and fish and scallop surveys Stewardship of beach nesting birds, including patrolling beach nesting bird habitat, maintaining signage, and counting and identifying bird species Public visitor outreach and surveys at boat ramps Preserve management and maintenance (trail maintenance, general facility upkeep)

Education:

and outreach events

What You:

’ll Bring:

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma, or equivalent, and 6 months of related

experience:

Experience:

working in remote, outdoor settings in variable and sometimes physically challenging conditions Comfortable working on a boat, under supervision Comfortable independently interacting with the public and representing TNC to the public Must meet all TNC Youth Qualification

requirements:

and background check Desired

Qualifications:

Snorkelling

experience:

or comfort with snorkelling in shallow water Knowledge of Eastern Shore communities or history Ability to work both independently and in a team environment Student interested in pursuing a career in conservation STEP is designed for people early in their

education:

or career path 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

experience:

s 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.

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.

Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.