Conservation Job board
Featured Jobs
Number of jobs found:
503
Wetland Ecology Summer Intern
Friends of the Great Swamp
Dover Plains, NY
About the Position
FrOGS is seeking two (2) summer Interns to assist with invasive species control and habitat management efforts at one of our wetland preserves in Dover, New York. Here, you will work on projects that address the following invasive plants:
Narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia)
A hybrid form of cattail (Typha x glauca)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Common reed (Phragmites australis)
This work will be conducted within the site’s critically imperiled rich sloping fen and rich graminoid fen communities. Common tasks include: (1) the cutting of invasive plant stems using hand shears or similar tools, (2) collecting and bagging the cut material, and (3) transporting these bags to pre-determined staging areas. Collectively, these projects aim to reduce the competitive advantage that invasives have over native fen vegetation. They seek to do so by reestablishing an open canopy, depleting energy and nutrient reserves in the rhizome, and minimizing future population growth by reducing seed production and dispersal.
While the invasive species control work highlighted above will likely fill most of the position’s allotted time, there may be opportunities to contribute to some of our other field projects and gain valuable technical skills while doing so! Depending on the Intern’s interests, this could include one or more of the following:
Habitat management for an Endangered plant
Pilot restoration project, including seed collection, propagation, and planting
Installing, sampling, and photographing permanent vegetation monitoring plots
Mapping wetland plant communities and habitats using GPS and ArcGIS Pro
Collecting and analyzing soil and water samples
Rare turtle monitoring using radio-telemetry
Required Qualifications
Current enrollment in a Bachelors degree program in Natural Resources, Ecology, Plant Science or a related field
A combination of practical experience and a passion for invasive species or habitat management will also be considered in lieu of academic training
Interest in applied conservation biology and ecological field work
High tolerance for mundane and repetitive tasks (e.g., cutting and weeding invasives)
Ability to follow directions and work without direct supervision
Valid drivers license and access to reliable transportation for travel to the project site
‘Nice-to-have’ Qualifications
Prior experience conducting ecological surveys or field research is a plus
Ability to correctly identify common wetland invasive plants is a plus
Coursework in wetland ecology, field biology, or botany is a plus
Physical Requirements
Comfortable working under challenging field conditions (e.g., mucky wetland soils, knee-deep water, heat, humidity, rain, stinging and biting insects, etc.)
Ability to walk, stand, bend, and kneel for long periods of time and in uneven terrain
Comfortable working with simple hand and power tools including hand shears and battery-powered hedge trimmer
Ability to lift and carry bulky items weighing up to 25 lbs for half a mile (e.g., large contractor bags filled with cut plant material)
Chief Operating Officer
Kennebec River Restoration Trust
Maine
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to take a leading role in an ambitious river restoration and redevelopment initiative. The Trust is a nonprofit organization established to take ownership of four dams on the lower Kennebec River in Maine and manage a multi-year river restoration and redevelopment process in close collaboration with local communities. The Chief Operating Officer will be
a key member of the senior leadership team for the Trust, responsible for managing people, planning, engineering, construction, and all operational aspects of this complex, multi-year initiative. This opportunity will combine technical expertise, operational leadership, and desire to support a mission-driven organization working to realize the Trust’s mission of building enduring solutions that restore the ecological health of the Kennebec River and strengthen the region's economic vitality.
Donor Experience Manager
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy
US
Position Summary
The Donor Experience Manager reports to the Director of Annual Giving and is responsible for facilitating meaningful donor engagement and supporting long‑term philanthropic relationships. Working closely with the full Engagement Team, including Communications, Operations, Visitor Experience, and Development, the Donor Experience Manager executes key stewardship initiatives, donor communications, and reporting efforts that strengthen donor retention and deepen overall engagement.
This role plays a central part in delivering a thoughtful, consistent, and mission‑aligned donor experience across the ATC’s donor pipeline. The Donor Experience Manager ensures donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the impact of their philanthropy by implementing strategic stewardship practices, maintaining clear and timely communication, and creating high‑quality engagement touchpoints that reinforce commitment to ATC’s mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Implement and manage a strategic donor stewardship calendar, including personalized touchpoints, donor society communications, milestone recognition efforts, and regional engagement opportunities.
Produce and oversee donor-facing communications, including bi-monthly digital and print newsletters and other stewardship materials.
Serve as a primary point of contact for donor inquiries, managing the philanthropy inbox and phone line while delivering responsive, high-quality service.
Manage the full tribute stewardship process, accurate reporting, and meaningful acknowledgement for memorial and named gifts.
Support donor engagement events and assist with related logistics and fulfillment as needed.
Compile tailored donor or leadership briefings.
Collaborate with the Director of Annual Giving and colleagues across Development, Communications, Finance, and Operations to ensure donor intent is honored and donor communications are aligned and timely.
Support Development leadership with special projects, campaign-related stewardship initiatives, and cross-team coordination as needed.
Cross-train with and support Development team members on planned giving operational workflows while leading Legacy Society communications, stewardship activities, and external vendor coordination.
Partner with the Development Team and Engagement Operations to maintain Salesforce data integrity, reporting accuracy and strong alignment with donor engagement strategies.
Support moves management processes, including meeting coordination, activity tracking, and visibility into stewardship progress.
Conduct prospect research and donor discovery to strengthen pipeline development and engagement strategies.
Maintain dashboards and accountability tools to track donor engagement plans and stewardship commitments and progress toward goals.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree preferred in nonprofit management, communications, business administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.
3–5 years of professional experience in fundraising, donor relations, planned giving, or nonprofit communications, with a demonstrated track record of supporting donor-centered initiatives.
Exceptional writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences.
Proficiency with CRM databases, preferably Salesforce, along with strong skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Strong organizational and project management abilities, including managing multiple deadlines, coordinating cross‑functional tasks, and maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
Proven project management experience, demonstrating the ability to plan, execute, and evaluate complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyze information, evaluate options, solve problems, and anticipate donor and organizational needs.
Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively within a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment and build productive relationships across departments.
Experience working with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, vendors, board members, and development colleagues, ensuring strong communication and alignment.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Regular communication with donors, colleagues, and external partners through phone calls, video conferencing, email, and in‑person meetings.
Extended periods of computer and phone work, requiring the ability to remain focused and engaged while managing multiple tasks.
Travel required approximately 4–6 times per year, including participation in organizational events, meetings, and outreach activities.
Periodic travel along the Appalachian Trail corridor to support events, donor engagement, and partnership initiatives.
Availability during nontraditional hours, including evenings or weekends during peak programmatic or event periods.
This is a hybrid role, requiring two in‑office days per week at one of our regional locations in Harpers Ferry, WV, or Roanoke, VA.
Additional Details:
Location: Hybrid Role - Requiring two in‑office days per week at one of the ATC regional office locations in Harpers Ferry, WV, or Roanoke, VA..
Annual Salary Range: ($58k - $62k)
Health, dental, and vision insurance available.
Company paid long-term disability and life insurance provided.
403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service.
Global Director of Biodiversity Science
The Nature Conservancy
Arlington, VA
We’re Looking For You
The ideal candidate is a leader and innovator who sees biodiversity science as core to delivering on TNC’s organizational goals for nature and people — someone who brings scientific credibility, a global perspective, and the cross-cultural relationships and leadership skills to make that vision real across a complex, highly matrixed organization. They should have strong collaborative science skills, experience leading interdisciplinary teams across geographies, a futures orientation, and genuine curiosity about the rapidly changing technological landscape for biodiversity science. Above all, they should have exceptional communication and networking skills, the ability to set a compelling vision and bring others into it, and the commitment to build lasting scientific capacity within TNC.
What You’ll Bring
PhD or equivalent advanced degree in biodiversity science or a related field, plus 8 years of related experience including supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supervisory experience, including coaching, setting objectives, and managing performance; comfort directing work that increasingly involves AI-assisted tools and automated systems.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and scientific networking skills, including the ability to translate complex science for different audiences and cultivate high-value partnerships across sectors and geographies.
Experience working across disciplines and knowledge systems, including with Indigenous science, social science, and biocultural knowledge colleagues.
Experience writing grants and research proposals, directing complex multi-disciplinary research projects, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and international experience strongly preferred.
Experience with futures thinking, scenario planning, and global biodiversity governance arenas (e.g . IPBES, CBD), and a commitment to building scientific capacity within regions in which TNC works.
Genuine curiosity about rapidly evolving biodiversity science technologies, including AI-assisted tools and agentic systems, and an ability to guide their responsible application to conservation science.
Experience working in, or deep professional ties to, the Global South, with a strong understanding of place‑based conservation contexts.
Salary Information
For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $121,635 -$182,495 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA.
For all other applicants pay ranges will not be tied to the above pay range, will be based on location, will be in local currency, will be based on the local labor market, and will fall within a range based on factors including qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
Operations Manager
Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands & Communities
Redding, CT
Role Summary
The Operations Manager supports all editorial and publishing activities for From the Ground Up, ensuring each issue moves smoothly from draft to copyediting, design, and launch. This is a hands-on role for a detail-oriented, systems-minded person who can keep many moving parts organized—metadata, production status, contributor communications, and launch planning—while collaborating closely with the Publisher, Managing Editor, and editorial team.
Key Responsibilities
Editorial & publishing operations
Support the end-to-end editorial production workflow for each issue: tracking progress, coordinating handoffs, and maintaining clear timelines
Review and quality-check all elements prior to design/publishing to ensure completeness and consistency (titles, author names, bios, tagging, credits, captions, links, and required metadata)
Coordinate with Publisher and Managing Editor to create an issue Table of Contents (TOC) for Editorial Board review; incorporate updates and maintain the latest approved version
Maintain accurate records and statuses in the issue management database
Build and refine templates, checklists, and lightweight workflows that reduce last-minute fixes and improve consistency across issues
Provide research support for parts of the magazine
Issue launch planning
Create and manage an issue launch plan that coordinates editorial, copyediting, design, web publishing, email/newsletter, and social promotion tasks
Track launch milestones, confirm ownership of remaining tasks, and ensure teams are aligned on the timeline
Coordinate final pre-launch checks (links, tagging, titles, and other publishing details) to ensure a smooth, high-quality release
Contributor coordination & communications
Track contributor deliverables and process steps; ensure communications are timely, clear, and consistent
Send contributor communications to ensure collection of agreements and timely payment
Serve as a point of contact for operational questions from contributors and route editorial questions to the appropriate team members
Team collaboration
Attend weekly editorial meetings; communicate timeline, provide clear status updates, identify bottlenecks, and flag risks early
Coordinate directly with the Publisher to ensure smooth handoffs, shared clarity on priorities, and consistent production standards
Measures of Success
Issue management database (Airtable) is consistently up to date and functions as a reliable “single source of truth” for issue status
Pieces enter copyediting/design with fewer missing elements (broken links, incorrect tagging, inconsistent titles, missing credits/assets)
Table of contents review with the Editorial Board runs smoothly and on schedule
Launch planning reduces scramble—everyone knows what’s happening, when, and who owns each step
Contributor communications go out promptly and accurately
Qualifications
Required
Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
Experience coordinating multi-step workflows with multiple stakeholders
Clear, professional written communication (especially email and documentation)
Comfort using Airtable (or similar tools), Google suite, spreadsheets, and shared file systems
Preferred
Experience in publishing, editorial operations, content production, or project management
Familiarity with metadata/tagging and link QA for web publishing
Ability to translate ambiguity into structure (checklists, timelines, “definition of done” standards)
Details
Type: Contract position, with potential to expand as the magazine grows
Hours: 20 hours/week (remote)
Sunny Valley Preserve Director
The Nature Conservancy
New Milford, CT
We’re Looking For You
The Sunny Valley Preserve Director is based at Sunny Valley Preserve in Bridgewater and New Milford, CT and oversees stewardship of an 1,850-acre portfolio of natural and working agricultural lands. The role leads land management, agricultural operations, infrastructure maintenance, and public access with the goals of ecological resilience, regenerative practices, and meaningful visitor engagement.
The Director oversees a wide range of land and property management activities, including a large inventory of buildings, trails, and agricultural facilities; manages legal, safety, and reputational risk; and responds to complex or high‑risk situations as they arise.
The role builds and maintains productive relationships with partners, neighbors, agencies, and community members, and communicates regularly with varied audiences about preserve management and priorities.
The position reports to the Director of Land Management and collaborates closely to define strategies for the Preserve. This position requires residence in close proximity to Sunny Valley Preserve to manage emergencies. TNC housing is available on site.
Responsibilities & Scope
Responsible for stewardship and operations at a complex preserve that comprises multiple parcels and a large inventory of infrastructure, with work that requires coordination across boundaries and close collaboration with partners, agencies, lessees and internal teams.
Land Stewardship and Natural Resource Management
Lead and oversee comprehensive land stewardship activities across natural and agricultural systems to support conservation outcomes, ecological resilience, and safe public access.
Apply ecological knowledge, field experience, and legal understanding to guide land management decisions, including interpretation of deeds, easements, and restrictions; habitat restoration; invasive species management; and oversight of tools, equipment, and vehicles required for safe operations.
Oversee advanced aspects of land management, including permitting, insurance coordination, and flood, erosion, and climate‑related risk management.
Agricultural Operations
Oversee agricultural operations at Sunny Valley, including dairy management, soil health, forage crops, produce cultivation, and agricultural certifications. Guide both established and emerging agricultural practices, ensuring operations support conservation goals, regenerative outcomes, adaptive learning, and risk management requirements.
Buildings and Infrastructure
Oversee the maintenance, repair, and improvement of preserve infrastructure, including buildings an office, utilities, trails, bridges, fencing, and signage. Manage contractors and vendors, ensure compliance with safety and building standards, and support long‑term care of physical assets.
Operations, Systems, and Administration
Establish and maintain effective operational systems to support preserve management, including scheduling, procurement, contracts, leases, and budget oversight. Ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining high standards of performance and safety.
Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Communication
Build and maintain strong relationships with community members, neighbors, partners, agencies, and stakeholders. Engage the public through site visits, meetings, presentations, and informal communication, and represent TNC professionally in local and regional forums.
Lead and steward a legally obligated preserve advisory board.
Risk Management and Complex Situations
Manage complex, high‑risk, and sensitive situations involving legal issues, tenants, recreation, hunting, agriculture, public safety, and natural emergencies. Exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions based on experience, analysis, and context.
Supervision and Safety
Hire, supervise, and support staff, contractors, and volunteers engaged in field work, construction, and visitor services. Ensure safe working conditions and adherence to safety protocols across all preserve operations.
What You’ll Bring
BA/BS degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in conservation practice, land stewardship, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including coordinating staff, contractors, timelines, and budgets under changing conditions and deadlines.
Supervisory experience, including hiring, motivating, and leading staff; setting clear expectations, and managing performance and safety.
Experience working with external partners such as non-profit organizations, community groups, landowners, and/or government agencies.
Experience navigating and negotiating complex or sensitive situations, including with tenants, partners, regulators, or the public.
Desired Qualifications
Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Experience working across cultures or communities; multilingual skills are a plus.
Additional experience (5-7 years) in conservation, land stewardship, agriculture, or a related field.
Experience contributing to or implementing conservation plans or management plans. Knowledge of current land management, agricultural, or ecological practices relevant to the region.
Familiarity with conservation data, monitoring approaches, or stewardship standards.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally with a wide range of audiences, including staff, partners, and the public.
Experience supporting fundraising or donor engagement through site-based work, storytelling, or partner relationships.
Comfort navigating complex stakeholder environments with sound judgment and diplomacy.
Experience using and maintaining commonly used land management equipment, tools and vehicles.
Salary Information
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $81,000-$88,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range 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.
Aquaculture Intern
The Conservation Fund
Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States
The Aquaculture Intern performs tasks essential for operating fish culture systems and ensuring the welfare of research animals. The intern works closely with the Fish Production Team, the Water and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, the Operations Team, and researchers to gain a wide range of experience in sustainable aquaculture systems research.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
· Work as part of the Fish Production Team to perform daily tasks in recirculating aquaculture systems, including but not limited to fish feeding and husbandry, system cleaning, and fish health monitoring.
· Conduct small fish sampling events alone and larger events as a part of a team.
· Assist the Operations Team with preventative maintenance tasks to maintain fish culture systems and equipment in good working order.
· Record, extract, and analyze data using basic descriptive statistics and graphing tools in Microsoft Excel, including but not limited to fish feeding, growth, mortality, and water quality.
· Assist Water and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory staff with testing water samples, including, but not limited to, solids, nitrogen, total phosphorus, alkalinity, and pH analyses.
· Operate laboratory instruments and equipment such as pH and dissolved oxygen meters, spectrophotometers, and autoclaves.
· Work with the Research Team to gain additional experience and understanding of recirculating aquaculture systems.
WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE
· Currently pursuing a diploma or Bachelor’s degree in biology, aquaculture, environmental science, or a related field.
· Previous laboratory experience, such as in college-level science courses.
· Ability to work independently while maintaining high standards of quality required for research and manuscript publication in peer-reviewed journals.
· Interest in fisheries and aquaculture.
· Sensitivity to animal welfare issues.
· Proficiency in Office 365 applications.
WHAT WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE
· Basic understanding of fish culture.
· Basic knowledge of laboratory safety and procedures.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
· This position requires standing for long periods of time and the ability to consistently lift 50 pounds.
· 80% of work is performed around water or in wet, hot, and/or humid conditions.
· Estimated travel – 0%.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The pay rate is $20/hour. This position does not include benefits.
Illinois Farmland Protection Specialist
American Farmland Trust
Illinois - Champaign
Job Purpose
The Illinois Farmland Protection Specialist will be essential in accelerating the pace of permanent agricultural land protection in Illinois, emphasizing the Chicago metro region. This role is an exciting opportunity to work with innovative agricultural and conservation groups across the state to facilitate key programming to protect working lands, strengthen farm businesses, and support a new generation of farmers accessing land.
Position Summary
The Specialist will lead AFT’s outreach and programmatic efforts to protect agricultural land in Illinois. The Specialist will become familiar with NRCS policies and guidance related to conservation easement program implementation and will provide direction, feedback, and support to entities (such as land trusts and public PACE programs) and NRCS staff on projects.
The Farmland Protection Specialist will work within AFT while working closely and learning from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This position provides an excellent opportunity to grow expertise in land protection and work closely with many state and national partners.
This position is termed for 18-months, funded through a cooperative agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The Specialist will be based in Illinois within a 75-mile radius of Chicago and will work closely with AFT’s Midwest Senior Farmland Program Manager and Illinois NRCS to support the promotion and administration of NRCS easement programs, specifically the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE).
Summer Intern
Trust for Public Land
Washington, DC
The Federal Relations team at Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking two highly motivated undergraduate students or recent graduates for a Summer 2026 internship. Our team is dedicated to TPL’s mission to create parks and protect land for people. We are responsible for TPL’s federal policy strategy and advocacy, including appropriating federal funds for conservation programs, ensuring equitable outdoor access, protecting public lands, and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The Federal Relations Interns will fill a distinct role on our team, while sustaining ample opportunities to collaborate. The Intern will work on our federal portfolio including, but not limited to trails, tribal lands, Black history and culture, landscape protection, community schoolyards, and federal grants. Both positions will also include assorted administrative, clerical, and programmatic tasks. These duties will be in support of staff’s lobbying activities on Capitol Hill and our federal grant management.
Essential Functions:
Support the implementation of our national campaign to increase funding for local parks and schoolyards across the country
Research Trust for Public Land initiative areas including federal schoolyards and urban park legislation, tracking support and opportunities to engage members of Congress
Research and track federal grant and funding programs focused on increasing equitable access to the outdoors
Conduct research and prepare blogs, advocacy letters, fact sheets, internal communications, and press releases related to schoolyards and park equity
Track outreach and communication to members of Congress
Attend lobby meetings, coalition meetings, federal agency webinars, etc.
Participate in regular team and organizational meetings
Perform general administrative duties in support of assigned project work
Qualifications:
Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.
At least 3 months experience in an internship position required. Policy, government, or environmental experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated desire to learn about our work
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Detail oriented and organized
Self-motivated, passionate, and professional
Must be a team player; ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment
Willingness to adapt and remain flexible as projects and priorities change
Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
Executive Director
Jefferson Land Trust
Port Townsend, WA
Jefferson Land Trust has spent more than three decades protecting the breathtaking landscapes of the Olympic Peninsula — salmon streams, working farmland, wildlife corridors, marine shorelines — in partnership with landowners, Indigenous tribal nations, and the communities who call this place home. Their "People + Places" philosophy isn't just a tagline; it's how they show up every day.
The incoming ED will lead a high-functioning, collaborative team, steward a $2M organization with a bold new 2026–2030 strategic plan, and serve as a connector and convener across one of the most ecologically extraordinary regions in the Pacific Northwest.
This role calls for someone who leads from humility — a relationship-builder, a storyteller, a genuine lover of place — who sees their role as empowering others, not seeking the spotlight.
✅ Land trust or conservation experience strongly preferred ✅ Fundraising chops, including major gifts ✅ Deep community orientation and inclusive leadership values ✅ Salary: $120K–$140K + full benefits + relocation support ✅ Start date: July 2026