Stream and Wetland Ecological Monitoring Coordinator

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 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 attend an orientation, professional development webinars, and one group field trip. 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 at 11:59 pm on February 15, 2026.

Zoom interviews will occur in early March with final hiring decisions made by March 31.

Schedule
: 35 hours/week for 10 weeks from May 30 – August 9, 2025

Orientation
:
All interns are required to attend a two‑day orientation in Charlottesville on May 28‑29, 2025

Pay
: $18.25/hour

Location
:
Charlottesville, VA

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

TNC’s Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (SWMP) is looking for an intern to assist with measuring ecological change on their restoration sites. SWMP is responsible for restoring, monitoring, and protecting over 20,000 acres across Virginia. Working under the Wetlands Restoration Manager, this intern will assist in developing a process for collecting ecological data from new and existing restoration sites. The intern will work on platforms like iNaturalist to determine data collection methods and standard products to be used for the varying restoration sites.

Opportunities to collect data at restoration sites will be included in the project scope and within the broader SWMP team monitoring activities. This position will also work with volunteers to help plan data collection events. This work will be a mix of office and field work, will require some travel, and will provide hands‑on experience with plant identification, data management, and community engagement.

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

Main responsibilities include:

• Develop a methodology for collecting and analyzing ecological data from restoration sites
• Use iNaturalist to analyze existing data and inform the collection methodology
• Conduct site visits to collect and verify data
• Work with TNC’s Volunteer team to coordinate Bioblitzes and other public engagement events
• Work requires being outdoors. You may work in various weather conditions and under physically demanding circumstances.
• This position requires some travel

• A current college student at the rising Junior or Senior level or recent graduate (within one year)
• Majoring in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, or similar field
• Experience with identification of Flora and/or Fauna
• Experience working outdoors and ability to work independently
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record

• Education or other training with Virginia’s plant or wildlife
• Experience collecting data and organizing large data sets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office Products
• Experience managing numerous tasks at once and strong organization skills

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 the 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.…