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

Future of Fish - Future of Fish is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that “envision a global seafood supply chain that produces legal, traceable, trustworthy fish."

See the complete Future of Fish profile

Job Title	Location
Sales Agent for IT Company - Salaried	Anchorage, AK
Postdoctoral Associate	United States
Postdoctoral Researcher	Baton Rouge, LA
Aquarist III	Las Vegas, NV
State Lands Forester - NRS1	Washington

See all 320 job postings

The Mountaineers - The Mountaineers is a Seattle based non-profit that has “been teaching skills, sharing adventures, creating volunteers, and conserving land” for more than a century.

See the complete The Mountaineers profile

Job Title	Location
All positions(Including Leadership/Management)	Charleston, WV
Retail Sales Associate - ExOfficio JFK Airport (Part-time) (JTA)	New York
Retail Sales Associate - Marmot San Francisco (Part-time) (JTA)	United States
Promotions Database Analyst - PID	Chester, WV
Poker Dealer-MPI	Chester, WV

See all 198 job postings

Natural Areas Conservancy - Natural Areas Conservancy is an NYC non-profit that “works with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to protect, restore, and manage expansive natural areas."

See the complete Natural Areas Conservancy profile

Job Title	Location
Central Cascades Community Coordinator	United States
Eastern Washington Stewardship Coordinator	United States
Southern Ohio Stewardship Coordinator	Ohio
Conservation Education Assistant	New York
Stewardship Forester	Indiana

See all 41 job postings

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
Community Strategist - DC	Washington, DC
Social Work Case Manager	Juneau, AK
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)	Juneau, AK
Residential Aide I	Juneau, AK

See all 4 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
Summer Intern - Programming Distribution & Operations	Los Angeles, CA
Big Data Architect	United States
Buyer, Watches	Seattle, WA
Executive Assistant, Amazon Instant Video	Seattle, WA
Associate Buyer, Stockblock/Dropship, Womens Apparel, Jewelry and Watches	New York, NY

See all 162 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
Pizza Hut Team Member	Norridge, IL
Speech & Language Pathologist - Skilled - (SLP)	Olympia, WA
Pizza Hut Shift Manager	Norridge, IL
Pizza Hut Delivery Driver	Norridge, IL
Pizza Hut Server	Norridge, IL

See all 13 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
Automotive Service Technician	Oacoma, SD
Contract Specialist	White Bear Lake, MN

See all 1 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
Full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Genetics	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
Marketing Intern	San Francisco, CA
Data Science Intern	San Francisco, CA
Water Policy Intern	San Francisco, CA
Visual Design Intern	San Francisco, CA
Product Management Intern	San Francisco, CA

See all 11 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
Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator	New Orleans, LA
FRONT DESK CLERK - Courtyard Memphis Germantown Job	Germantown, TN
Bartender/cook - Courtyard Memphis Germantown Job	Germantown, TN
Housekeeper - Courtyard Memphis Germantown Job	Germantown, TN
Maintenance / Utility Engineer - Courtyard Memphis Germantown Job	Germantown, TN

See all 6 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
Building Performance Program Associate	Washington, DC
Water Program Intern	Washington, DC
Program Assistant	New York, NY
Communications Assistant	New York, NY
Land/Wildlife and Communications Program Assistant	Washington, DC

See all 49 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
Copywriter/Content Writer	New York, NY
Social Media and Digital Marketing Manager	New York, NY
Graphic Designer	New York, NY
Development Officer	New York, NY
Director of Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation	Missoula, MT

See all 5 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

Job Title	Location
Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator	New Orleans, LA
Historic Preservation Corpsmember AZCC - White Mountains	Whiteriver, AZ
Crew Leader - Historic Preservation -Whiteriver, AZ	Whiteriver, AZ

See all 3 job postings

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
Fundraising and Operations Intern	Massachusetts
Chief Finance Officer	Los Angeles, CA
Program Assistant	New York, NY
Cavers Internships	United States
Client Development Associate	New York, NY

See all 70 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
Account Executive Inside Sales - Entry Level	San Francisco, CA
Product Manager	San Francisco, CA
Product Manager - TurboTax Social Innovation	San Diego, CA
Public Sector Management Consulting Supply Chain Experienced Associate	Washington, DC

See all 987 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
Medical Social Worker Full Time 5000 Sign on Bonus	Danville, VA
Auto Tech-Entry Level	Madison, IN
Licensed Social Worker MSW Odessa TX 5K Sign On Bonus Available	Odessa, TX
Social Worker Bi lingual Westside Chicago	Chicago, IL
MSW Midland TX	Midland, TX

See all 1,696 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
Conservation Data Specialist	Washington, DC
Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff Conservation Policy Intern	Troy, NY
Senior Representative, Northwest Program	West Linn, OR
Annual Fund Manager	Los Angeles, CA

See all 3 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 ASSISTANT	Florida
Financial Aid - Shark Research and Conservation Program, Cape Eleuthera Institute	United States
OPS RESEARCH ASSISTANT	Pinellas County, FL
Research Associate Intern	Boston, MA
Sea Lion Trainer II-IV	New Orleans, LA

See all 15 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
Business Analyst	Washington, DC
COMMUNITY, NATURAL RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDUCATOR MARATHON COUNTY	Wisconsin
HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST FAMILY LIVING PROGRAMS	Wisconsin
2015 Summer Law Clerkship	Tallahassee, FL
4-H YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR OUTAGAMIE COUNTY	Wisconsin

See all 316 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
Internship, Trails and Greenways Program – West Coast	Washington, DC
Internship, Transportation Policy	Washington, DC
Director Communications and Marketing	Washington, DC
Project Manager - Philadelphia Region (Full	Philadelphia, PA
TrailLink Photography	Philadelphia, PA

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
Nurse Director PICU/Pediatrics	Idaho

See all 1 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
Condition Based Maintenance Engineer	Washington, DC
Reliability Engineer	Washington, DC
Community Outreach and Conservation Coordinator	Millville, NJ

See all 3 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
Administrative Coordinator	Seattle, WA
Seattle Tilth Farm Works Coordinator	Auburn, WA
Garden Hotline Educator	Seattle, WA

See all 3 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
Postdoctoral Associate	United States
Research Associate	Columbia, MO
GIS Database and Applications Specialist	Virginia
Administrative Service Representative-Ortho Neuro	Bethesda, MD
Laboratory Animal Program Veterinarian	Blacksburg, VA

See all 18 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
Post Masters RA - GIS Research Associate	College Park, MD
JIMAR/WPACFIN Comp Splst-Oahu	Honolulu, HI
Operations & Development Manager	Mill Valley, CA
NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships	Tennessee
NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships	United States

See all 5 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
Hand Therapist-Local	Tempe, AZ
RESEARCH ASSISTANT	Florida
Homestead Interpretation and Resource Management Internship (AmeriCorps)	Nebraska
Store Manager	Mission Viejo, CA
Surgical Technician I - Surgical Services - 8hr Per Diem Day Variable	Petaluma, CA

See all 575 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
Facilities & Equipment Spec-P051	Plymouth, MA

See all 1 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
Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) Advisor	United States
Vice President, Atlantic Flyway	United States
Center Director, Trinity River Audubon Center	Dallas, TX
Development Coordinator	Baltimore, MD
Vice President, Affinity Marketing and Channel Partnerships	Boston, MA

See all 50 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
Resource Development & Events Associate	San Francisco, CA
Administrator	East Bay, CA
Traffic Workforce Representative (M&R) - Green Bay, WI	Green Bay, WI
Regulatory Affairs Analyst - Indianapolis, IN or Green Bay, WI	Indianapolis, IN
Supvervisor, Insurance Collections (Managed Care)	Tampa, FL

See all 51 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
Environmental Coordinator	Moran, WY
Wildland Firefighter (Range/Forestry Aid/Technician)	Dinosaur, CO
Range Technician	Moose, WY
Fire Dispatcher (Range/Forestry Technician)	Moose, WY
Occupational Therapist	Blackfoot, ID

See all 5 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
Thoracic Surgeon - (Surgery - Cardiothoracic) Locum Tenens	Laredo, TX
Primary Care Physician - FM, IM or IM/Peds	Elk River, MN
Pediatrician	Eagan, MN
Program Assistant Intern--Education & Society Program	Washington, DC
Alliance for Artisan Enterprise Intern--Global Health & Development	Washington, DC

See all 941 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
Intern Job	United States
Environment Specialist in the Social, Environmental and Economic Development Office (SEED)	United States
Plant community ecology research intern	East Bethel, MN
Research Associate Intern	Boston, MA
Intern, Climate Policy	Arlington, VA

See all 111 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
Assistant Conference Operations Manager	Sausalito, CA
Environmental Science Educator	California
Environmental Science Educator	Sausalito, CA

See all 4 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
HES&S Intern	United States
Entry Level - HES Professional	United States
Integrated Transport Research Intern	Washington, DC
CSU Naturalist Intern	Dayton, OH
Farm Maintenance Intern	Dayton, OH

See all 190 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
Chief Development Officer of the USS Monitor Foundation	Newport News, VA
Chief Development Officer of the USS Monitor Foundation	Virginia

See all 2 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
Engagement Organizer	United States
Field Organizer, Wisconsin	Wisconsin
National Press Secretary	Washington, DC
Development Director, Alabama	Alabama
Major Gifts Officer	Washington, DC

See all 23 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
Graphic Designer	New York, NY
Mad. Sq. Park Teaching Artist	New York, NY
Seasonal Assistant Gardener	New York, NY

See all 3 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
Cyber All Source Analyst - Subject Matter Expert	Maryland
Cyber All Source Analyst - Subject Matter Expert	Maryland
Intelligence Analyst	Maryland
Intelligence Analyst	Maryland
Junior Intelligence Analyst	Virginia

See all 443 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
Central Cascades Community Coordinator	United States
Preservation Internship - Mill_Run,_PA	United States
Landscape_Intern - Mill_Run,_PA	United States
Development & Events Coordinator	Massachusetts
Fundraising and Operations Intern	Massachusetts

See all 131 job postings

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