TITLE: Working Forest Geospatial Analytical Intern

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Working Lands/Working Forest Fund

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Forest Analyst

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: None

LOCATION: Remote/Connecticut, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia.

DURATION: Summer 2025 – Dates are flexible. June 2, 2025 - August 8, 2025. This is a full-time internship lasting 10 weeks, with the intern working no more than 37.5 hours per week.

THE CONSERVATION FUND

The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities, and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community, and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.

The Charles Jordan Memorial Internship was established by The Conservation Fund to keep alive the passion, commitment, and wisdom that Charles Jordan brought to his 20 years of leadership on the Fund’s national Board of Directors. The internship is available through 2025; the specific timeframe and work schedule for the position are flexible.

Charles was the first African American to chair a national environmental organization, serving as chairman of The Conservation Fund’s Board of Directors from 2003 to 2008. He believed passionately in diversifying the conservation movement. The principles of equity, diversity and inclusion were central to who he was and all he did. In keeping with Charles Jordan’s vision, the goals of this internship are to:

• Honor and implement Charles Jordan’s leadership and vision for an equitable, diverse, and inclusive national conservation movement;
• Provide a career-oriented learning experience for a student who has the passion, creativity, and skills to implement Charles’ vision; and
• Grow the next generation of conservation leaders through the internship experience and test and communicate new approaches that advance Charles’ legacy.

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The intern will work under the guidance of the Working Forests Analytics Department and focus on developing new metrics to describe the impact provided by conserving working forests in the United States and developing models to identify and prioritize potential acquisitions for the program. Additionally, the intern will interact with and assist other teams within WF including acquisitions, operations, and dispositions, to gain a full understanding of how WF operates and learn about our unique approach to protecting working forests in the US.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• National Timberland Ownership Assessment – Conduct a national review of large timberland ownership across the US with emphasis around areas of conservation funding and conservation priorities. This will assist the WF team in identifying high conservation value tracts of timberland for acquisition.
• Development of Impact Metrics – Research and develop new impact metrics to help quantify conservation and socio-economic value provided by protecting forests using the current WF ownership portfolio. This will require research of national databases, development of new metric calculation methodology, and computer code written in Python coding language.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• Currently enrolled in or graduating from an accredited college or university with a minimum of two years completed course work.
• Proficient in ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro
• Strong skills and previous experiences related to computer programming, data management, database research
• Passion for conservation and TCF’s mission.

WHAT WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Working knowledge of Python coding language
• Experience with managing research projects
• Strong interest in data analysis, research, and computer programming.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Work is performed primarily in an office or at remote home office.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position pays $21/hour (37.5-hour work week for a total of 10 weeks). This position does not include benefits.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Apply at https://www.conservationfund.org/careers

To learn more about The Conservation Fund, visit https://www.conservationfund.org.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, The Conservation Fund encourages you to apply.

The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.