Land Conservation Fellow

General Program Description
NVCT has worked toward the goal of saving nearby nature throughout the region for over 30 years, and part of that work is engaging the next generation of conservationists. We are excited to hire a fellow for the spring of 2025. This fellowship is open to students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds interested in the field of conservation. Fellows will have the opportunity to work closely with multiple staff members on projects varying from land mapping to outreach, all while learning about the inner workings of a local land trust. 

Commitment
This position will be held in person based out of our Annandale office, with some work to be completed in the field and/or within our service area for events and meetings. APPLICANTS MUST BE IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA FOR THE DURATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP. There is an opportunity for the position to be hybrid in person and remote once the intern has been trained. 

This position is paid at a $15 per hour rate and will be part-time for a minimum of 10 hours a week, with an opportunity for more hours. The duration of the fellowship will be 3-4 months, with a start date as soon as possible in mid-to-late February. There is a possibility that the period of the fellowship could be extended into the summer depending on the candidate’s performance and availability. 

Land Conservation Fellow
The Land Conservation Fellow will work closely with the Lands Team on various projects regarding lands protected or prioritized by NVCT. The primary focus will likely be on using GIS mapping through ArcGIS Pro and NVCT’s Strategic Conservation Plan to identify conservation prospects within our focal areas in the region. Other responsibilities may include downloading and organizing land datasets, updating property reports, and updating management plans. The fellow will have the opportunity to do some field work if they would like, working with both our conservation prospecting team and our stewardship team. Through this, the fellow will learn about stewardship and management of conserved land in a mixture of urban and rural environments. To spread awareness of our conservation work and programs, the fellow may be asked to assist with staffing outreach events or the creation of communications materials for outreach events. One such event is NVCT’s annual gala on June 6th, which the fellow will be asked to help staff and prepare materials for when needed.

Required qualifications:

• Must be a Person of Color
• Must be over 18 years old
• Must live locally in Northern Virginia area
• Must be able to work in person at Annandale office
• Must be able to dedicate a minimum of 10 hours per week from February through May to the fellowship, possibly longer
• Experience with GIS mapping, especially within ArcGIS Pro

Desired qualifications:

• Experience reading and managing datasets
• Knowledge of and interest in environmental science and conservation
• Familiarity with the Northern Virginia landscape
• Strong professional communication skills
• A self-starter attitude and strong work ethic
• Ability to develop a project independently after being given a framework
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at once and prioritize
• Preference given to those pursuing a degree or with a strong background in GIS, environmental science, or conservation
• Access to a personal vehicle
• Availability at noon on Mondays for all staff meetings

Key skills learned or honed:

• Working with layered datasets within ArcGIS Pro
• Understanding conservation values and prioritization
• Understanding of land stewardship
• Conserved property management knowledge
• Events and outreach management
• Operations within a nonprofit regional land trust
• Skills in professional communication, collaboration, and project management

We Are Committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to protecting Northern Virginia. Success depends on people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking action collectively. Clean water, air, and a safe environment are our shared rights as human beings, and increasing diversity is our duty as an organization.