School of Environmental Studies

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Internships

Tennessee State Parks and Conservation Seasonal Interpreter Recreator (SIR)

Description: We have amazing opportunities each summer for college students seeking degrees in general life sciences, forestry, wildlife, history, environmental science and other related degrees to work in our state parks handling a variety of responsibilities to support the needs of the park and their guests.

The Nature Conservancy - State Policy Intern

Description: We are looking for a current undergraduate rising junior or senior, recent graduate (within one year), or current graduate student to fulfill an internship that assists with state policy research and advocacy. This position will work closely with our Public Funding and Policy Manager to research and develop advocacy materials for statewide conservation policy and budgetary issues. This position will also work with our Energy and Climate Policy Manager as well as TNC's conservation and communications/marketing staff. The location is in Charlottesville, VA with a housing stipend available as needed. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 30-Aug. 9
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Stream and Wetland Ecological Monitoring Coordinator

Description: TNC's Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (SWMP) is looking for a current undergraduate rising junior or senior, recent graduate (within one year) to fulfill an intern position that assists with measuring ecological change on their restoration sites. This position will assist in developing a process for collecting ecological data from new and existing restoration sites, collecting data, work with volunteers to help plan data collection events, and more. The location is in Charlottesville, VA with a housing stipend available as needed. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 30-Aug. 9
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Landscape Architecture Intern

Description: We are looking for a current undergraduate, recent graduate (within one year), or current graduate student to fulfill an architect internship to work on several team projects. Main responsibilities include: work with the SWMP team to gain an understanding of stream and wetland restoration, mitigation, and the SWMP program, assemble a graphic restoration guide for landowners and partners, create designs for interpretive signage communicating landscape history and restoration, and work with SWMP team to budget and plan for signage fabrication and installation. The location is in Richmond, VA with a housing stipend available as needed. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 29-Aug. 7
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Seagrass Monitoring Coordinator

Description: We are looking for a current undergraduate, recent graduate (within one year) to fulfill an intern position that helps 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. The main responsibilities include: assisting with scheduling for training events, 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, and more. The location is in Richmond, VA with a housing stipend available as needed. This position will close on February 18th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 29-Aug. 7
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Coastal Conservation Intern

Description: We are looking for an intern to help assist with: land and water based marine habitat restoration activities including maintaining an eelgrass seed curing facility, oyster reed construction and restoration efforts and fish and scallop surveys, stewardship of beach nesting birds, including patrolling beach nesting bird habitat, maintaining signage, and counting and identifying bird species, and more. The location is in Nassawadox, VA with shared housing available with rental value included. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 27-Aug. 7
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Environmental Education Intern

Description: We are looking for an undergraduate, recent graduate (within one year), or current graduate student to fulfill an intern position that will work closely with our education team to provide summer school programming to rising 5th and 6th grades in Accomack and Northampton County public schools. This program will build an existing curriculum focused on local environmental topics related to conservation projects. There are additionally responsibilities that will come with the internship as well. The location is in Nassawadox, VA with shared housing available with rental value included. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 29-Aug. 7
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Lands and Lives Intern

Description: We are looking for a current student or recent graduate (within one year) to fulfill an intern position that will continue the work of our Lands and Lives project that started in 2022. This position is research and storytelling focused, with the goal of more deeply understanding the histories and communities of and near TNC landscapes, and sharing stories that more deeply engage diverse audiences. The location is in Richmond or Charlottesville, VA with a housing stipend available. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 30-Aug. 9
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Nature Conservancy - Coastal Drone Intern

Description: We are looking for a current student or recent graduate (within one year) to fulfill an intern position that will help assist with collecting, processing, and analyzing aerial imagery to support conservation, research, and land stewardship on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The work will be a mis of field-based UAS operations and office-based GIS/data processing, and will provide hands-on experience with UAS operations, spatial analysis, and coastal conservation applications. The intern will also have other opportunities and responsibilities with this position. The location is in Nassawadox, VA with shared housing available. This position will close on February 15th at midnight.
Schedule: 35 hrs/week from May 30-Aug. 9
Pay: $18.25 hr

The Ayin Project's Summer High School Internships in Research Experience's (SHIRE) Program- Undergraduate Research Assistant

Description: The Ayin Project's Summer High School Internships in Research Experiences (SHIRE) Program provides paid, hands-on research internships for Nashville-area high school students ages 16-19. Over seven weeks, interns gain hands-on experience in research, media, and administration while developing professional skills and building mentorship connections. The program aims to cultivate a global perspective in interns by presenting them with real-world water quality issues that face Ugandan communities where TAP works. The interns are challenged to develop innovative solutions, by applying their knowledge in actionable and impactful ways. Some tasks related to the Undergraduate Research Assistant position are- participate with high school research teams working on water quality/accessibility issues presented by TAP from their work in UG, help maintain lab safety while gaining lab experiences, assist in development strategies related TAP, and assist in deepening the research in relation to the water projects being worked on. TAP is currently looking to fill two (2) positions.
Dates: June 1 - July 17, 2026

Teacher Naturalist Intern

Description: We are seeking passionate people who want to learn how to use nature to make a difference in children’s lives. Teacher Naturalist interns help create an atmosphere of welcome, warmth, and belonging. They will meet and work with a wide variety of program participants, facilitating experiences for young children, school-aged summer campers, and adults. Location is in Townsend, Tennessee and currently hiring for Summer 2026. 
Compensation: Starting salary $350/week, plus meals and lodging. 

2026 UCOR Summer Internship Program: Environmental Scientist/Engineer Intern

Description: This is a 12-week program held from late May to early August. You must be able to be onsite for the entire internship program. Applicant must be pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering or other applicable degree programs.  Duties will include NPDES stormwater permit renewal support for East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP), including sample planning and tracking, analytical results review, stormwater pollution prevention site inspections, and more. This internship requires both office work and field work. Location is in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Posting will close in March.

 

 

ESS Current Job Openings

Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and GIS

TDEC Environmental Scientists, Foresters, and Consultants - View open TDEC positions here!

Description: The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation frequently hires for various environmental positions at their West, Middle, and East Tennessee offices. Visit the TN.gov website and search for positions at TDEC. 

Salary Range: $48,204 – $72,468 annually. 

 

Bradford Woods Summer Camp Employment Position - Nature Program Instructor

Description: The Nature Program Instructor is responsible for designing and implementing nature-based programming that meets the needs, interests, and abilities of each camp session’s population. A key part of this role is creating written activity plans and working closely with cabin staff to adapt activities so that every camper can fully participate and enjoy the experience. This position lives in the cabins for the duration of the summer and assists with camper personal care, activities of daily living, and medical procedures. When not planning, setting up, or leading activities, the Nature Program Instructor will engage with campers in their assigned cabin group to ensure a positive and supportive experience. Location is in Martinsville, Indiana and employment will be from May 11th to July 31st, 2026.