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

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
the North Face: Marketing Coordinator	Alameda, CA
The North Face: Stock Supervisor (Philadelphia, PA)	Philadelphia, PA
The North Face: Selling Supervisor (Green Hills, TN)	Cincinnati, OH
Sports Equipment - Retail Planner - eCommerce	Alameda, CA
The North Face: Marketing Operations Manager	Alameda, CA

See all 407 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
Ecological Restoration and Volunteer Management Internship	San Francisco, CA
Landscape Conservation Ecologist	New York
AmeriCorps Youth Education Outreach Coordinator	Phoenix, AZ
Director of the Science and Resilience Institute of Jamaica Bay	New York, NY
Director of Strategic Initiatives	New York, NY

See all 20 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
Substance Abuse Counselor I/II	Juneau, AK
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)	Juneau, AK
Food Service Worker	Fort Shafter, HI
Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic	Fort Shafter, HI

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
Mid-Senior .NET or Xamarin Developer	Atlanta, GA
JAVASCRIPT/WEB DEVELOPER	Raleigh, NC
Solutions Architect - Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA
Cloud Architect Linux -Houston	Houston, TX
Senior Buyer, Watches	Seattle, WA

See all 286 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 Delivery Driver - 5309839	Harwood Heights, IL
Pizza Hut Shift Manager - 5309840	Harwood Heights, IL
Pizza Hut Team Member - 5309842	Harwood Heights, IL
ENT Beverage Cart Attendant - #005J	Wood Dale, IL
Pizza Hut Server - 5309841	Harwood Heights, 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
Sephora Product Consultant	Nashua, NH
Visual Specialist Job	Nashua, NH
Salon Customer Experience Spec Job	Nashua, NH
Sephora Product Consultant Job	Nashua, NH

See all 7 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

No current job openings.

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
Inside Sales Associate	San Francisco, CA
Client Services Manager	San Francisco, CA
Sales Executive - Texas	Austin, TX
Sales Executive	San Francisco, CA

See all 5 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
District Sales Manager	Iowa Falls, IA
Account Clerk 3	Columbus, OH
Restoration Sales Representative	Saint Petersburg, FL
Bartender/cook - Courtyard Memphis Germantown	Germantown, TN
Housekeeper - Courtyard Memphis Germantown	Germantown, TN

See all 18 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 - International	Washington, DC
Development Assistant	New York, NY
Prelaw Intern	Chicago, IL
Director, Celebrity Relations	New York, NY
Media Assistant	Chicago, IL

See all 30 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
Donor Communications Lead	New York, NY

See all 1 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
digitization Projects Assistant	Los Angeles, CA
Program Intern, African Apes Initiative (AAI) - PLEASE APPLY VIA AWF.ORG	Washington, DC
DIGITIZATION PROJECTS ASSISTANT	Los Angeles, CA
Collections Cataloguer -Temporary	Spokane, WA
Water Policy Advisor, California Program	Washington, DC

See all 36 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 inside sales entry level	San Francisco, CA
Enterpise Service Architect - API	San Diego, CA
account executive inside sales	San Francisco, CA
inside sales account executive	San Francisco, CA
Cloud Operations Architect	San Diego, CA

See all 878 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
Automotive TECHNICIAN	DeWitt, NY
Inpatient Services RN Up to 5K Sign On Bonus	Laredo, TX
Inpatient Services RN 3K Sign On Bonus for New Hires!	Phoenix, AZ
Inpatient Services RN	Denver, CO
Inpatient Services RN Per Diem	Anchorage, AK

See all 1,056 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
Coordinator-Integrated Marketing and Online Communications	Washington, DC
Digital Campaigns Producer	Washington, DC
New Mexico Outreach Representative--Albuquerque or Santa Fe	Washington, DC
Water Policy Advisor, California Program	Washington, DC
Director of Information Technology	Washington, DC

See all 12 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
Sea Lion Trainer II-III	New Orleans, LA
GSIPM Adjunct Faculty - International Environmental Policy	Monterey, CA
Research Associate Intern	Boston, MA
Director, Office of Management and Budget	Silver Spring, MD
OPS F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II	Saint Petersburg, FL

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
Marketing Internship	San Francisco, CA
Drupal Developer	Washington, DC
Business Analyst	Reston, VA
Staff Analyst (Entry)	United States
Animal Care Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator	United States

See all 260 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
Trails and Greenways Program	Washington, DC
Development/Fund Raising	Washington, DC
Transportation Policy	Washington, DC
Policy/Administrative	Washington, DC
TrailLink.com Photography	Washington, DC

See all 6 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
Labor & Delivery/OB Manager	Wyoming

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
Business Financial Manager	Washington, DC
Director of Development	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

No current job openings.

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
Animal Health Technician	Philadelphia, PA
Mussel Propagation Biologist	Blacksburg, VA
Animal Health Technician	Anchorage, AK
Physician Assistant (MICU/SDU)	Salem, VA
Animal Health Technician	Anchorage, AK

See all 17 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
JIMAR Ter Fsh Data Splst-Oahu	Honolulu, HI
Postdoctoral Fellow: Landscape Fire and Vegetation Dynamics in Hawaii	Hilo, HI

See all 2 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
Warehouse Apprentice	Marion, IA
Japanese Acquisitions Assistant - Library Assistant IV (6759C) #18227	Berkeley, CA
Research Associate	Silver Spring, MD
Archivist Consultancy	Washington, DC
Conservation	Peoria, IL

See all 464 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 - Volunteer Coordinator	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
Marketing Business Analyst # 15006	Washington, DC
Drupal Developer	Washington, DC
Business Analyst #14073	Washington, DC
Program Officer, ABCG – Req #15004	Washington, DC
Policy Manager, Mississippi River Delta	Washington, DC

See all 53 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
Bilingual English/Cantonese Individual/Family Counselor	San Francisco, CA
Exec Dir, Clinical Integration	Tampa, FL
Sales Operations Consultant - Multiple Locations	Minnetonka, MN
Quality Review Specialist Telesales - Green Bay, WI or Roanoke, VA	Green Bay, WI
Nurse Manager - Cardiovascular Operating Room	Tampa, FL

See all 21 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
Forestry Technician (Recreation)	Afton, WY
Forestry Technician (Recreation)	Afton, WY
Forestry Technician (Recreation)	Afton, WY
Assistant/Associate Professor	Pocatello, ID

See all 2 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
Business Analyst	Charlotte, NC
Public Policy Intern	Washington, DC
Key Account Manager	Des Moines, IA
Technical Document Specialist Intern	Pullman, WA
SQA opening - Peachtree City (direct hire)	Peachtree City, GA

See all 861 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
Program Officer, ABCG – Req #15004	Washington, DC
Research Assistant	Raleigh, NC
Field Botanist (Research Technician I)	Turlock, CA
Capacity Network Coordinator	Home Based
Associate, Environment	Washington, DC

See all 166 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
Sales Manager at NatureBridge Golden Gate	Sausalito, CA

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
Endpoint Field Engineer-3490	Philadelphia, PA
Transport & Climate Research Intern	Washington, DC
Transportation Policy & Planning Intern	Washington, DC
Transport Research Intern	Washington, DC
Research/Legal Intern, The Access Initiative	Washington, DC

See all 191 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
Regulatory Specialist	Chicago, IL

See all 0 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
Director of Development, New York	New York, NY
Compliance Assistant	Washington, DC
Special Assistant to the President and Board Liaison	Washington, DC
Field Organizer, Wisconsin	Wisconsin
Data and Targeting Associate	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

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
Foreign Service Information Management Specialist	Washington, DC
Research Assistant I - Tissue Culture (Tissue Culture Technician)	Boston, MA
Research Associate	Boston, MA
Research/Legal Intern, The Access Initiative	Washington, DC
Research Assistant I - Tissue Culture (Tissue Culture Technician)	Boston, MA

See all 335 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
Summer Job: Activist Campaign Positions for Environment	Boston, MA
Drupal Developer	Washington, DC
Program Officer, ABCG – Req #15004	Washington, DC
ASPPA - Media Relations Manager	Arlington, VA
Executive Assistant to the Chief Marketing Officer	Arlington, VA

See all 86 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

No current job openings.

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