Careers in Conservation

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in conservation? Here's an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have entry level and internship opportunities that will interest you.

See companies with conservation careers or search the latest conservation jobs and internships.

Photo Credit: Flickr user Kevin Timothy

If you’ve ever visited a national park or forest, their natural beauty might have astounded you. These natural resources and others wouldn’t stay around without help from those willing to conserve them. That’s what conservation’s about: preserving natural resources (including animals, plants, and fungi) and habitats so we can continue enjoying them.

One career path is to work with an organization dealing with conservation issues, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Depending on your interests, you can choose one that deals with one specific issue or multiple. Larger organizations usually have a bigger net to throw, so if you’re not sure about one specific path within conservation, a large organization gives you more options. Politically inclined? Lots of conservation organizations also get involved in the political and advocacy side.

You can also work with a government agency such as the National Parks Service, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, or the Environmental Protection Agency.

If you like animals, working at a zoo or aquarium or managing endangered species are a couple of paths you can take. You might also do research and evaluate living things in an area, from plants to animals, from the sky above to the ground below.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Conservation

Rainforest Trust - Rainforest Trust is a Warrenton, VA based non-profit that works “to purchase and protect threatened tropical forests.”

See the complete Rainforest Trust profile

Job Title	Location
Vice President, Advancement & Executive Director, CHS Trust Foundation - Seattle - # 100-001-2014	King County, WA
Senior Software Engineer	Seattle, WA
Substance Abuse Counselor I/II	Juneau, AK
Financial Management Technician	Fort Shafter, HI
Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic	Schofield Barracks, HI

See all 5 job postings

Amazon Watch - Amazon Watch is a San Francisco based non-profit that "campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability and the preservation of the Amazon’s ecological systems.”

See the complete Amazon Watch profile

Job Title	Location
Staff Software QA Engineer-Mobile	Mountain View, CA
2014 Summer Intern, Program Operations & Distribution - Entertainment and Media Industry Opportunity	Los Angeles, CA
Web Development Intern	Ann Arbor, MI
Internet Sales Manager	New York, NY
Web Development Intern	Ann Arbor, MI

See all 173 job postings

Friends of the Forest Preserves - Friends of the Forest Preserves is a Chicago, IL based non-profit that "exists because the Cook County forest preserves need help."

See the complete Friends of the Forest Preserves profile

Job Title	Location
PP Interpreter - #003J	West Chicago, IL
Physical Therapist Assistant - Skilled - (PTA)	Eureka, CA
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent - #1151	Addison, IL
Physical Therapist Assistant - Skilled - (PTA)	Eureka, CA
Telecommunication Specialist - #830	Wheaton, IL

See all 10 job postings

Pheasants Forever - Pheasants Forever is a St. Paul, MN based non-profit “dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife."

See the complete Pheasants Forever profile

Job Title	Location
Support Specialist Job	Nashua, NH
Salon Customer Experience Spec	Nashua, NH
Visual Specialist Job	Nashua, NH
Retail and Restaurant Openings	Nashua, NH
Sephora Product Consultant Job	Nashua, NH

See all 12 job postings

Chincoteague Bay Field Station - Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a Wallops Island, VA based non-profit that helps people learn through experience while fostering environmental stewardship.

See the complete Chincoteague Bay Field Station profile

Job Title	Location
Two Temporary, Full-Time (1 Year) Assistant Professors, Dept of Biology	Millersville, PA

See all 1 job postings

WaterSmart Software - WaterSmart Software is based in San Francisco, CA, and they aim “to help water utilities make it easier for their customers to save water and save money.”

See the complete WaterSmart Software profile

Job Title	Location
Graphic Design Intern	San Francisco, CA
Operations and Marketing Associate	San Francisco, CA
Inside Sales Associate	San Francisco, CA
Client Services Manager	San Francisco, CA
Sales Executive	San Francisco, CA

See all 7 job postings

Ducks Unlimited - Ducks Unlimited is a Memphis, TN based non-profit has become “the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.”

See the complete Ducks Unlimited profile

Job Title	Location
Housekeeper - Courtyard Memphis Germantown	Germantown, TN
Housekeeper - Courtyard Memphis Germantown	Germantown, TN
Divisional Analyst: Financial Compliance	Columbus, GA
Divisional Analyst: Enterprise Risk Management	Columbus, GA
Housekeeper	Germantown, TN

See all 8 job postings

Natural Resources Defense Council - NRDC is an NYC based non-profit that wants to "safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends."

See the complete Natural Resources Defense Council profile

Job Title	Location
Program Assistant	Washington, DC
Membership & Public Education Internship	New York, NY
Litigation Assistant	New York, NY
Online Campaigns Associate	Washington, DC
Membership Associate, Leadership Giving	New York, NY

See all 39 job postings

Panthera - Panthera is a New York, NY based non-profit that “is the world’s leading conservation organization devoted exclusively to the protection of wild cats.”

See the complete Panthera profile

Job Title	Location
Law Enforcement Advisor - Tigers Forever	New York, NY
Law Enforcement Advisor - Tigers Forever	Colorado

See all 2 job postings

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.”

See the complete Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership profile

No current job openings.

Conservation Law Foundation - Conservation Law Foundation is a Boston, MA based non-profit that believes “that healthy communities and a clean environment are a right for all New Englanders.”

See the complete Conservation Law Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Z Smith Reynolds Non-Profit Internship	Durham, NC
Packard Foundation Policy Analyst #17442	Berkeley, CA
Packard Foundation Policy Analyst	Berkeley, CA
Student Trainee (Archival Science) Internship	College Park, MD
Student Trainee (Archival Science) Internship	College Park, MD

See all 42 job postings

Global Footprint Network - Global Footprint Network is an Oakland, CA based non-profit that is focused on “measuring human impact on the Earth so we can make more informed choices.”

See the complete Global Footprint Network profile

Job Title	Location
Account Executive	San Francisco, CA
product manager	Mountain View, CA
Interaction Designer	San Francisco, CA
Defect Engineer, Contamination Free Manufacturing (CFM)	Malta, NY
Cloud Operations Architect	San Diego, CA

See all 743 job postings

Center for Clean Air Policy - The Center for Clean Air Policy is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is “a recognized world leader in climate and air quality policy."

See the complete Center for Clean Air Policy profile

Job Title	Location
Inpatient Services \ Acute Dialysis RN	Norristown, PA
Inpatient Services RN Folsom CA	Alameda, CA
CNC Machinist	Stillwater, OK
OPERATIONS TECHNICIANS	Tempe, AZ
Executive Chef/Food Service Supervisor	Centennial, CO

See all 896 job postings

Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America."

See the complete Defenders of Wildlife profile

Job Title	Location
Payroll and Accounts Payable Clerk	Washington, DC
Accounting Clerk	Washington, DC
Financial Analyst / Non-Profit Conservation Organization	Washington, DC
Financial Analyst	Washington, DC
Digital Projects Specialist	Washington, DC

See all 6 job postings

Marine Conservation Institute - Marine Conservation Institute is a Seattle, WA non-profit that uses the latest science to identify and advocate for important marine ecosystems around the world.

See the complete Marine Conservation Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Research Scientist	Saint Petersburg, FL
Research Scientist	Saint Petersburg, FL
Exciting Marketing Communications Internship Oceans/Travel/Sports	Seattle, WA
OPS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I	Saint Petersburg, FL
Ops Administrative Assistant I	Saint Petersburg, FL

See all 17 job postings

The Trust for Public Land - The Trust for Public Land is a San Francisco, CA based org that was “founded in 1972 with goals of protecting land in and around cities and pioneering."

See the complete The Trust for Public Land profile

Job Title	Location
CPA - Entrepreneur	Frederick, MD
Bristol Industries, LLC	Anchorage, AK
Associate Transportation Planner	New York, NY
Project Engineer - Professional CIvil Engineer	Oklahoma City, OK
Associate GIS Specialist	Indianapolis, IN

See all 211 job postings

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - Rails-to-Trails is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is aiming “to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines."

See the complete Rails-to-Trails Conservancy profile

Job Title	Location
Intern, Development / Nonprofit Organization	Washington, DC
Trails and Greenways Program	Washington, DC
Traillink GIS Technicia	Washington, DC
Development/Fund Raising	Washington, DC
TrailLink.com Photography	Washington, DC

See all 8 job postings

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary - Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a Red Lodge, MT based non-profit that houses "native animals that cannot be returned to the wild due to injury or habituation to humans.”

See the complete Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary profile

Job Title	Location
Labor & Delivery/OB Manager	Wyoming
Nurse Director PICU/Pediatrics	Idaho

See all 2 job postings

American Littoral Society - The American Littoral Society is a Highlands, NJ based non-profit that “promotes the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protects the coast from harm."

See the complete American Littoral Society profile

Job Title	Location
Conservation Coordinator	Millville, NJ

See all 1 job postings

Seattle Tilth - Seattle Tilth aims “to inspire and educate people to safeguard our natural resources while building an equitable and sustainable local food system.”

See the complete Seattle Tilth profile

Job Title	Location
Director of Community Engagement	Seattle, WA
Master Recycler Composter Program Outreach Educator	Seattle, WA

See all 2 job postings

The Wildlife Center of Virginia - The Wildlife Center of Virginia is a Waynesboro, VA based org that “was formed to provide quality health care, often on an emergency basis, to native wildlife.”

See the complete The Wildlife Center of Virginia profile

Job Title	Location
Medical Technologist (Endocrine Laboratory)	Salem, VA
Associate DVM	Virginia
Medical Technologist (Endocrine Laboratory)	Salem, VA
Medical Technologist (Endocrine Laboratory)	Salem, VA
PT - SNF Scenic community, close to Virginia Beach	Windsor, VA

See all 14 job postings

Earth Island Institute - Earth Island Institute is a Berkeley, CA based org that is a “hub for grassroots campaigns dedicated to conserving, preserving, and restoring ecosystems."

See the complete Earth Island Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Wireless Telecom Project Manager	Chicago, IL
Project Manager (Estimator)	Kew Gardens, NY
Field Researcher (paid stipend)	San Mateo County, CA

See all 3 job postings

American Conservation Experience - American Conservation Experience offers “opportunities for both American and International volunteers to take part in challenging outdoor projects."

See the complete American Conservation Experience profile

Job Title	Location
Store Manager	Anchorage, AK
Occupational Therapist Assistant	Houston, TX
Lassen Volcanic Pika Monitoring Internship	Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Utilities Engineer	Yonkers, NY
Recreation Assistant	South Wellfleet, MA

See all 584 job postings

Louisiana Bucket Brigade - Louisiana Bucket Brigade is a NOLA based non-profit “environmental health and justice organization."

See the complete Louisiana Bucket Brigade profile

Job Title	Location
Louisiana Bucket Brigade - Research Analyst	Los Angeles, CA
Louisiana Bucket Brigade - Volunteer Coordinator	Los Angeles, CA
Louisiana Bucket Brigade - Monitoring and Evaluation Special	Los Angeles, CA

See all 3 job postings

World Wildlife Fund - World Wildlife Fund is a Washington, DC non-profit that “has been protecting the future of nature” for the last 50 years.

See the complete World Wildlife Fund profile

Job Title	Location
1L Legal Intern, Clean Energy	New York, NY
Legal Intern	Washington, DC
Economic Policy Intern	New York, NY
Postdoctoral Researcher, NatCap/GLI	Minneapolis, MN
City Attorney-Coconut Creek, FL	Coconut Creek, FL

See all 63 job postings

Heal the Bay - Heal the Bay is devoted to protecting and reviving Santa Monica Bay, “the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ beach culture."

See the complete Heal the Bay profile

Job Title	Location
Need a Female Massage Therapist	Los Angeles, CA
PICU RN -7p to 7a (part-time)	Tampa, FL
Supvervisor, Insurance Billing Managed Care	Tampa, FL
Exec Dir, Clinical Integration	Tampa, FL
Aquarium Programs Internship	Santa Monica, CA

See all 17 job postings

Teton Science Schools - Teton Science Schools is based in Jackson, WY based and has “been educating, training, and inspiring students about the natural world” since 1967.

See the complete Teton Science Schools profile

Job Title	Location
Teton Science Schools Field Education Internship	Wyoming, WY
Intern - Field Operations (Central/Southeast, Idaho)	Aberdeen, ID
Intern - Field Operations	Idaho
Intern - Field Operations (Food Group - Central/Southeast Idaho)	Central, ID
Intern Field Operations Aberdeen FG(Job Id 1793)	Idaho

See all 4 job postings

International Rivers - International Rivers is a non-profit “at the heart of the global struggle to protect rivers and the rights of communities that depend on them.”

See the complete International Rivers profile

Job Title	Location
Community and Research Analyst (Economic Development, Community)	Washington, DC
Project Manager	Lafayette, LA
Summer Intern	Camden, NJ
Student Trainee (Administrative & Office Support/OfficeAutomation) (Pathways Internship)	Miami, FL
Student Trainee (Admin & Office Support/OA) (Pathways Internship)	Miami, FL

See all 853 job postings

Biodiversity Project - Biodiversity Project is a Chicago, IL based non-profit that works "to protect North America’s most precious land and water resources.”

See the complete Biodiversity Project profile

Job Title	Location
Science & Stewardship Intern	Nevada
Intern Environment Health & Safety (EHS) & Sustainability Group	Round Lake, IL
Vice President Development	New York, NY
INTERN	Saint Paul, MN
Postdoctoral Researcher, Freshwater Health	Arlington, VA

See all 140 job postings

NatureBridge - NatureBridge is a non-profit that has introduced “1 million young people to the wonder and science of nature in the world’s best classrooms—our national parks.”

See the complete NatureBridge profile

Job Title	Location
field science educator	United States
Director of Foundation and Government Relations	California

See all 2 job postings

Earth Day Network - Earth Day Network is a DC based non-profit that coordinates Earth Day activities globally while also working on environmental issues, and they're hiring.

See the complete Earth Day Network profile

Job Title	Location
Middle School Science Teacher	New York, NY
Elementary School Science Teacher	New York, NY
Computer Scientist 8 - C++ Entry Level LOCAL Candidates ONLY	Atlantic City, NJ
Intelligence Analyst - Targeting - Proposal Search	Fayetteville, NC
Intelligence Analyst - Targeting - Proposal Search	Fayetteville, NC

See all 171 job postings

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation - If you love the sporting life and its intersection with politics, you should consider a job with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in Washington, DC.

See the complete Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation profile

No current job openings.

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation - The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation works with NOAA to protect and support the U.S. national marine sanctuaries, and they're hiring.

See the complete National Marine Sanctuary Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Associate, Global Penguin Conservation Campaign	Washington, DC
Senior Associate, Ending Illegal Fishing Project	Washington, DC
Economist	Silver Spring, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer	Washington, DC

See all 4 job postings

League of Conservation Voters - The League of Conservation Voters is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that “works to turn environmental values into national priorities.”

See the complete League of Conservation Voters profile

Job Title	Location
Call Center Agent	Columbia, MO
LCV	United States
Development Director	Trenton, NJ
Research and List Management Coordinator	Washington, DC
Legislative Coordinator	Virginia

See all 99 job postings

Madison Square Park Conservancy - Madison Square Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization that maintains and manages Madison Square Park, and they're hiring.

See the complete Madison Square Park Conservancy profile

Job Title	Location
Seasonal Maintenance Staff	New York, NY

See all 1 job postings

Environmental Law Institute - The Environmental Law Institute is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that helps shape "the fields of environmental law, policy, and management."

See the complete Environmental Law Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Challenging, Paid Summer Internships	Falls Church, VA
Research Scientist	Houston, TX
Research Scientist-Radiology Oncology	Houston, TX
Communications Maintainer/Tech	Richmond, VA
Postdoctoral Research Scholar	New York, NY

See all 289 job postings

The Nature Conservancy - The Nature Conservancy is "the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters" and they're hiring

See the complete The Nature Conservancy profile

Job Title	Location
Professional Fundraiser - Seattle	Seattle, WA
Development Operations Assistant	Arlington, VA
Z Smith Reynolds Non-Profit Internship	Durham, NC
Entry Level Sales Rep & Entry Level Marketing Account Exec.	New York, NY
Executive Assistant	Little Rock, AR

See all 189 job postings

WildAid - WildAid is a non-profit organization that raises awareness about endangered species stems demand for the trade in illegal wildlife, and they're hiring.

See the complete WildAid profile

Job Title	Location
Communications Manager - WildAid	San Francisco, CA
Communications Manager	San Francisco, CA

See all 2 job postings

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit that directs "public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs," and they're hiring.

See the complete National Fish and Wildlife Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Program Manager, MS Coastal Bird Stewardship	Moss Point, MS
Officer, U.S. Oceans, Southeast	United States
NFWF Vegetation/Habitat Assessment Field Technician	Reno, NV
Archaeologist	Hadley, MA
Assistant/Associate Professor - Landscape Architecture	Washington

See all 11 job postings

Sacramento Tree Foundation - Do you love trees? If so, then a career with the Sacramento Tree Foundation might be a great fit for you.

See the complete Sacramento Tree Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Morning Kindergarten Teacher	Orangevale, CA
Pediatrics Physician	California
Neurology Physician Opportunity	Red Bluff, CA

See all 1 job postings

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