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

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
Digital Campaigns Production Associate	Washington, DC
New Mexico Outreach Representative	Washington, DC
Marketing and Online Communications Coordinator	Washington, DC
Development Coordinator	Washington, DC
Revenue Processing Associate -Headquarters, Washington, DC	Washington, DC

See all 9 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
OPS F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II	Saint Petersburg, FL
Education Department Intern (AAOA)	New Orleans, LA
OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST - FWC	Jacksonville, FL
Senior Associate, U.S Oceans, Southeast	Washington, DC
PROGRAM MANAGER (TECHNICAL) Job	Silver Spring, MD

See all 5 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
Executive Director - Worcester Common Ground	Worcester, MA
Executive Director	Annandale, VA
Telecommunications Analyst	Washington, DC
LAN/WAN Design Network Analyst	Washington, DC
Cyber Analyst/Network Security Analyst-Threat Intrusion Detection	Winchester, VA

See all 180 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
Content Strategy Manager	Washington, DC
Online Media Manager	Washington, DC

See all 2 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

No current job openings.

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
Quality Assurance Manager	California, MD
Policy Advocate	Highlands, 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
Seattle Tilth 21 Acres Camp Assistant	Woodinville, WA

See all 1 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
Park Ranger (W)	West Virginia
Senior Environmental Compliance Coordinator- Bath County Hydro Power Pumped Storage Station- Warm Sp	Warm Springs, VA
Student Pastor	Stafford, VA
Wildlife Rehabilitation Summer Externships	Waynesboro, VA
Center Director	Corolla, NC

See all 39 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
Marine Research Specialist III	Kingston, RI
Vice Chancellor, UHM	Honolulu, HI
Associate Director	Sitka, AK
Program Associate/Senior Program Associate	Berkeley, CA
Director of Development	Oakland, CA

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
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Travel	Fayetteville, NC
Regional Safety Coordinator (Multiple locations - Wisconsin)	Sun Prairie, WI
Executive Sous Chef	Bryan, TX
Medical Assistant Associate	Dearborn, MI
OHI Medical Assistant Sr. Rep	Dearborn, MI

See all 413 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 - Monitoring and Evaluation Special	Los Angeles, CA

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
Boone River Project Director	Webster City, IA
Sr. Manager of Strategic Pricing	Plantation, FL
Sr. Administrative Assistant, Annual Giving-	Washington, DC
Specialist, Media & External Affairs -#13049	Washington, DC
Sr. Specialist, Program Communications- Commodities- #13059	Washington, DC

See all 89 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
Coordinator, Surgical Scheduler	Tampa, FL
Administrative Assistant to Director of Pharmacy Services	Tampa, FL
Executive Assistant	Tampa, FL
Department Assistant/Radiation Oncology Front Office	Tampa, FL
C.N.A - Rehab - PRN 7P-7A	Tampa, FL

See all 122 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
BEA Education Enhancement Internship (7319	Idaho Falls, ID
Conservation Director	Bozeman, MT
RN Management and staff openings	Dillon, MT
Dean of the Graduate School	Bozeman, MT

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
Sales Consultants	South River, NJ
Software Developer / Software Engineer - .NET 4 / 3.5	Denver, CO
HIE Integration Analyst	Denver, CO
Software Engineer / Web Developer .NET, C#	Denver, CO
Chili's Grill & Bar, Restaurant Manager - Toms River, NJ	Toms River, NJ

See all 936 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
Postdoctoral Fellow – Madagascar Biodiversity Genomics	Omaha, NE
Field Base Coordinator on Elephant Forest Reintroduction Project in Northern Thailand	Mae, WA
Marketing Intern	New York, NY
Software Developer - Python	Pasadena, CA
Research Assistant, Eco-Hydrology	Arlington, VA

See all 84 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
VP Development	San Francisco, CA
Vice President of Development	San Francisco, CA
Part-Time Seasonal Conference Host/Naturalist	San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Retail Coordinator	Yosemite National Park, CA
Field Safety Officer	Yosemite National Park, CA

See all 6 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
Physical Therapist - PT	Mapleton, MN
Sr. Facilities Coordinator Job	Highlands Ranch, CO
Environmental Air Quality Specialist/Project Manager- Houston,TX	Houston, TX
Managing Editor, News Programming	New York, NY
Environmental Management Information Specialist	Houston, TX

See all 128 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

No current job openings.

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
Information Technology Director	Denver, CO
Business Development Director	Washington, DC
Account Executive	Denver, CO
Call Center Director	Denver, CO
Account Executive	Boston, MA

See all 18 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

No current job openings.

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
Completion Superintendent	Houston, TX
R.N. II	Glendora, CA
Senior Associate Director, Environment & Energy Programs	Stanford, CA
Chief Operating Officer	St. Louis, MO
Manager-RE/Regulatory	Schaumburg, IL

See all 182 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
Boone River Project Director	Webster City, IA
SUMMER JOBS	Kansas City, MO
LEAF Program Science Assistant	New York, NY
LEAF Program Conservation Assistant	New York, NY
Outreach Assistant	Boulder, CO

See all 115 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
WildAid - Development Director	San Francisco, CA

See all 1 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
Senior Associate, U.S Oceans, Southeast	Washington, DC
BIOLOGIST DCL-B	Baton Rouge, LA
Archeologist (DEU)	Burbank, WA
Assistant Professor of Biology (Immunology), NSU Tahlequah	Tahlequah, OK
Center Director, Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center	Joplin, MO

See all 5 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
Physician - Pulmonology	San Francisco, CA
Pulmonary Disease Physician San Francisco Bay Area, CA	San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Neurology Opportunity	Red Bluff, CA
Seeking an experienced Cardiologist	Red Bluff, CA
Pulmonology Physician	San Francisco, CA

See all 4 job postings

Washington Wilderness Coalition - Washington Wilderness Coalition is over 30 years old and 10,000 members strong, and they're hiring a few people to help preserve Washington's wildlife.

See the complete Washington Wilderness Coalition profile

Job Title	Location
Environment New Hampshire Field Fellow	Concord, NH
Environment New Hampshire Field Associate	Concord, NH
Senior Associate, Ending Illegal Fishing Programme	Washington, DC
Washington State Director	Seattle, WA
Environment America Federal Field Organizer	Boston, MA

See all 27 job postings

Cabela’s - If you love the outdoors, you probably already know all about Cabela’s. But have you checked out their job opportunities?

See the complete Cabela’s profile

Job Title	Location
Business Intelligence Senior Developer	Sidney, NE
Technical Designer	Sidney, NE
COMPACT TRACTOR SERVICE TECHNICIANS	Allen, TX
RTL W&LM SRVC TECH (COMPACT TRACTOR SERVICE TECH)	Fort Worth, TX
RTL BOAT RIGGER	Fort Worth, TX

See all 521 job postings

Rock the Earth - If you’re digging what Rock the Earth is all about, then you should check out their jobs on Idealist.

See the complete Rock the Earth profile

Job Title	Location
6pm Visual Designer	Las Vegas, NV
Art Director - Games	San Francisco, CA
Sales Representatives Little Rock, AR	Little Rock, AR
Administrative Assistant	City of Sunrise, FL
Geotechnical Project Scientist	Chattanooga, TN

See all 194 job postings

Saint Louis Zoo - Saint Louis Zoo is a great zoo, so if you don’t apply for a job with them, at least give them a visit.

See the complete Saint Louis Zoo profile

Job Title	Location
Administrative Assistant, Architecture & Planning Department - Saint Louis Zoo - Saint Louis	St. Louis, MO
Sous Chef	St. Louis, MO
Partnership Marketing Manager	St. Louis, MO
HVAC Technician (Part-time)	St. Louis, MO
Seasonal Position (Grounds Department)	St. Louis, MO

See all 4 job postings

Alliance to Save Energy - The Alliance to Save Energy promotes “energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security,” and they're hiring.

See the complete Alliance to Save Energy profile

Job Title	Location
Heating & Air Sales	Murrieta, CA
Natural Language Processing / Senior Social Media Analytics Researcher (Washington, DC)	Washington, DC
Education Intern	Oakland, CA
Social Media Analytics Researcher III/IV	Richland, WA
Marketing & Digital Content Internship	Washington, DC

See all 16 job postings

Rodale Institute - If you want to be part of the organic movement, then you should consider jobs at the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA.

See the complete Rodale Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Media Relations Specialist	Kutztown, PA

See all 1 job postings

The Mountain Institute - If you’re intrigued by what The Mountain Institute does, you should check out their jobs listings. They look pretty cool.

See the complete The Mountain Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Contract - Sr. ERP Project Manager	Redwood City, CA
Extension Associate- Outdoor Camps/Retreats	Clemson, SC
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor	Johnson City, TN
Internship	Moffett Field, CA
Project Coordinator I-Research Institute-Mountain View	San Francisco, CA

See all 569 job postings

Environment America - As you can see, Environment America spreads their work across a lot of issues, which means that they have a ton of different job opportunities.

See the complete Environment America profile

Job Title	Location
Copy Director	Sandpoint, ID
Teller - Ketchikan Market	Ketchikan, AK
Supply Planner Sr. Specialist	Keokuk, IA
Library Channel Marketing Specialist, Latin America	New York, NY
Online Education Specialist	Watertown, MA

See all 53,641 job postings

Environmental Investigation Agency - If you want in to a secret agency for environmental idealists, then you should check out the Environmental Investigation Agency’s jobs.

See the complete Environmental Investigation Agency profile

Job Title	Location
Geophysical/Geostatistical Interpretation	Springfield, VA
LPG Facility Supervisor	Rapid River, MI
Compliance Specialist	Santa Barbara, CA
Director of Human Resources & Safety (Manufacturing Experience Required)	Chickasha, OK
Safety Engineer - Warehouse	Cleveland, OH

See all 2,086 job postings

Global Green USA - Right now Global Green USA is looking for a Database & Development Associate, and they are also involved with the The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship.

See the complete Global Green USA profile

Job Title	Location
Account Manager	Baltimore, MD
Commercial Sales Specialist	Los Angeles, CA
Sales w/ IT Background for East Coast Area (Office Zip 07733)	Holmdel, NJ
District Manager, Primary Care Sales - Bowling Green, KY	Bowling Green, KY
Process Engineer	United, LA

See all 341 job postings

American Farmland Trust - If you love our farmland and want to be a part of ensuring that it’s still around when you have kids, then you should check out jobs at American Farmland Trust.

See the complete American Farmland Trust profile

Job Title	Location
Williamsburg Farmers Market Manager	Williamsburg, VA
Psych Certified Nurse Practitioner in Connecticut	Torrington, CT
Great Oupatient Psychiatry Opportunity in CT!	Torrington, CT
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Opportunity	Torrington, CT

See all 4 job postings

Green Education Foundation - If the Green Education Foundation sounds like something that you want to get behind, then you should check out both their job openings.

See the complete Green Education Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Clinical Psychologist	Bowling Green, FL
Fund Development Executive	San Angelo, TX
Quality Engineer	Des Moines, IA
Technical Support Manager	Oklahoma City, OK
Senior Business Architect	San Antonio, TX

See all 374 job postings

EarthShare - Interested in a non-profit that's focused on innovative fundraising and supporting other environmental? Check out EarthShare and their entry level jobs.

See the complete EarthShare profile

Job Title	Location
Membership Production Associate	Washington, DC
Fundraising Manager	Seattle, WA

See all 2 job postings

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