Conservation Intern

About the San Dieguito River Valley Land Conservancy: 

The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy (SDRVC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the San Dieguito River Valley. Working in partnership with local agencies, volunteers, and community stakeholders, SDRVC supports habitat restoration, trail stewardship, environmental education, and long-term conservation planning within the San Dieguito River Watershed. 

Please read description to see how to apply

Job Summary: 

As a Conservation Intern, your responsibilities will include assisting with restoration and monitoring on several properties within the San Dieguito River Valley watershed. This internship provides hands-on experience in land conservation, native habitat restoration, field research, and nonprofit environmental operations. Interns will work closely with SDRVC staff, volunteers, and partner agencies on meaningful conservation projects.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Conservation Field Work (85%) 

• Assist with invasive species removal and native plant installation; 

• Support habitat monitoring, vegetation surveys, and wildlife observations; 

• Assist with maintaining restoration sites through watering, mulching, and site assessments; and 

• Collect and report field data. 

Event Support (10%) 

• Attend outreach events and activities to photograph, record, and document key moments; 

• Assist with volunteer workdays and stewardship events; 

• Support staff and volunteers at community events, fairs, and festivals by helping set up and break down outreach tables, distributing informational materials, and engaging with the public; 

• Staff outreach tables and educational booths; 

• Assist with educational programs, workshops, and guided activities by interacting with participants, answering basic questions, and helping ensure events run smoothly; and 

• Represent the conservancy in a friendly, professional manner to foster positive community relationships. 

Project and Administration Support (5%) 

• Assist with organizing project materials and supplies; and 

• Assist with administrative and operational tasks. 

Qualifications/Requirements: 

• High School Diploma or GED, required; 

• Strong interest in conservation and environmental stewardship, required; 

• Conservation related coursework or knowledge, preferred; 

• Knowledge of nature, wildlife, water resources, and/or natural history, preferred; 

• Experience with native plant and animal identification (Southern California species a plus), preferred; 

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively; 

• Comfortable speaking to groups and engaging with diverse audiences, preferred; 

• Comfortable interacting with the public; 

• Has an energetic and professional demeanor; 

• Ability to work independently;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; 

• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills and ability to meet tight deadlines; 

• Familiarity with GIS, social media platforms (ex. Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, TikTok, etc.), or graphic design tools is a plus; 

• Basic proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, required; 

• Ability to work at the Conservancy’s office in San Diego, and conduct fieldwork across the San Dieguito River Valley; 

• Ability to work 10-20 hours per week; 

• Ability to travel regularly to locations within San Diego County, primarily in the San Dieguito River Valley; 

• Ability to perform moderate physical activity outdoors in varying weather conditions; 

• Ability to lead hikes through uneven terrain and elevation, and perform some off-trail trekking while carrying/using equipment; 

• Ability to work during evenings, weekends, and irregular work schedules as needed to support events and programs; 

• Ability to work remotely and in office as needed; 

• Occasionally standing, walking, reaching, and stooping; 

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.; and 

• Exposure to low to moderate noise level. 

Benefits: Paid Sick Leave 

Job Type: Part-time Hourly 

Rate: $16.90 per hour 

To Apply: 

To Apply, please send the following to sdrvc@sdrvc.org with subject line Conservation Intern-Handshake : 

1. Cover Letter: Share with us why you are passionate about environmental conservation and why you're interested in joining our team. Feel free to mention any specific experiences or skills that make you a strong candidate for this internship. Please include the number of hours you can commit to each week and preferred start date and let us know if you have access to a vehicle with cargo space, our interns will be required to drive to locations throughout the San Dieguito watershed and may need to haul equipment. 

2. Resume.

San Dieguito River Valley Land Conservancy provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.