Seagrass Monitoring Coordinator

The Nature Conservancy; Richmond; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization is seeking a STEP Intern for an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in community science and environmental conservation in Richmond, VA. This paid internship involves engaging with the Chesapeake Bay Program, focusing on submerged aquatic vegetation and public outreach. Candidates must be current college students or recent graduates, with qualifications in Environmental Science or similar fields. The position offers competitive pay at $18.25/hour, alongside a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Paid internship

Housing stipend available

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Current college student or recent graduate (within one year).
• Majoring in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or similar field.
• Experience with plant identification.
• Experience operating canoes, kayaks, and/or stand-up paddleboards.

Responsibilities

• Assist with establishing a community science data collection schedule.
• Work with TNC's Volunteer and Philanthropy teams.
• Manage the identification and documentation of submerged aquatic vegetation.

Skills

Environmental Science

Plant identification

Community engagement

Operating kayaks

Education

Current college student or recent graduate

Majoring in Biology or similar field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

What We Can Achieve Together: Join TNC Virginia as a STEP Intern!

The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation focused organization. We currently offer paid internships in a range of disciplines across our Virginia Teams. With a focus on recruiting and developing a diverse staff, we strive to create an environment where people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities feel welcomed to participate in conservation. Wherever you are in your educational path; community college, technical school, four-year programs, or graduate school, STEP may have an opportunity for you to consider.

All STEP interns will attend an orientation, professional development webinars, and one group field trip. Along the way, interns will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with The Nature Conservancy staff and partners. At the end of their internship, STEP interns will give a short presentation about their time at TNC to the Virginia staff. This position will close on February 18, 2026 at midnight. Zoom interviews will occur in early March with final hiring decisions made by March 31.

Schedule: 35 hours/week for 10 weeks from May 29 – August 7, 2026

Orientation: All interns are required to attend a two-day orientation in Charlottesville on May 27-28, 2026

Pay: $18.25/hour

Location: Richmond, VA

Housing: A housing stipend is available as needed for this location

The Position:

TNC's Chesapeake Bay Program is looking for an intern to help build a community science data collection program for submerged aquatic vegetation in the Bay. This position will work under the direction of our Wetlands Program Manager and the SAV Watchers Program. They will also work closely with volunteers, donors, Sea Grant Fellows, and TNC partners at the state level (such as VIMS, VCU, Maryland DNR). The intern will work to establish a monitoring schedule, help lead events with the public, and manage the collected data. This work will require some travel, time on the water, and will provide hands-on experience with plant identification, data management and analysis, and community engagement.

All interns will dedicate 5% of their time to professional development activities through STEP.

Main responsibilities include:

• Assist with establishing a schedule for training events and SAV community science data collection
• Work with TNC's Volunteer and Philanthropy teams to coordinate public engagement events
• Manage the identification and documentation of SAV, including inputting all relevant data
• Work requires being outdoors, on the water, operating various vessels including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes. You may work in various weather conditions and under physically demanding circumstances.
• This position requires some travel

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• A current college student or recent graduate (within one year)
• Majoring in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, or similar field
• Experience with plant identification
• Experience with community outreach/engagement
• Experience operating canoes, kayaks, and/or stand-up paddleboards
• Must have valid driver\'s license, safe driving record, and provide own transportation and automobile insurance

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with SAV identification and/or monitoring
• Education or other training with Virginia's habitats and species
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience organizing large data sets
• Experience with Microsoft Office Products
• Willing to obtain CPR certification upon hire

STEP is designed for people early in their careers or with limited prior professional experience.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC\'s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee\'s motor vehicle record.

The starting pay for a candidate selected for this position is $18.25/hour. This 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.

Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy\'s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world\'s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We\'re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it\'s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there\'s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant\'s unique experience. Please apply – we\'d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you\'ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We\'re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.