About the Orleans Conservation Trust:
The Trust protects and restores natural lands — for people and wildlife, the health of our
waters, and the character of our community.
A private nonprofit organization, the Trust acquires and manages land to enhance habitat,
provides opportunities for learning and for enjoying nature, promotes sound conservation
practices, and works with landowners who wish to conserve property.
Since its founding in 1970, OCT has preserved over 660 acres in Orleans through deeded gifts,
conservation restrictions, and land purchases.
OCT recognizes that protecting Orleans’ natural resources takes more than a single generation.
It takes young professionals becoming actively engaged – young people who will be inspired to
be the environmental stewards of the future. Our interns work side-by-side with staff and
community leaders on land stewardship initiatives. OCT interns gain valuable professional
experience and develop a passion to save open spaces.
Position Description:
The intern will work directly with staff to advance the mission of OCT through a variety of land
management activities. The intern can expect to be involved with property inspections and
maintenance, long and short-term land management planning, habitat management, property
documentation, and volunteer engagement. They will report to OCT’s Director of Land
Stewardship.
Responsibilities Overview
• Contribute to the development of comprehensive baseline documentation and land
management plan for a 4.5-acre property recently purchased by OCT
• Assist with property monitoring and reporting
• Help coordinate and participate in volunteer workdays twice monthly
• Conduct trail maintenance and management of properties, including property signage
and boundary marking installations
• Participate in monthly Land Management Committee meetings
• Other duties as needed
Training Provided
• Introduction to various land management strategies and techniques
• Conservation restriction monitoring and reporting
• Invasive and native plant identification
• Baseline report preparation for conservation properties
• Researching and interpreting deeds, survey plans, and other real estate documents
• Locating and demarcating property boundaries
• Proper use of power and hand tools for land management work
• Basic map making with ArcGIS (depending on experience)
Expectations
• This position requires both field and office work
• Start and end date: The ideal candidate will be able to start in early June and work
through mid-August (approximately 10-12 weeks)
• Hours: 3-5 days/week (30-40 hours), with some scheduling flexibility
• Oversight: Report to the Director of Land Stewardship daily. Meetings will be conducted
at least weekly to determine priorities for that week. The intern can expect to work
independently and directly with OCT staff.
Candidate Qualifications
• Individuals who intend to work in the environmental sector with a background in
environmental studies, biology, natural resource management, or related field
preferred;
• Enthusiasm for conservation; strong interpersonal skills; flexibility; self-motivation;
ability to communicate with others;
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions using various land management
equipment;
• Applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the internship, including
field-based land management activities, which involves the use and maintenance of
power tools and hand tools, with or without reasonable accommodation;
• Applicant is responsible for securing housing and must maintain access to a personal
vehicle (with limited access to a work vehicle)
Compensation
$18/hour, plus gas mileage reimbursement
Benefits
This internship offers a unique and immersive introduction to nonprofit operations,
conservation techniques and strategies, ecological restoration projects, and land trust policy.
The intern will work directly with local land trust staff and volunteers and will become very
familiar with the innerworkings of a community-based nonprofit and the requirements and
challenges of responsible land stewardship. OCT’s summer internship is a valuable learning
opportunity, and the intern can make a tangible impact to further OCT’s mission, while making
valuable career connections.
OCT strives to sustain and strengthen an inclusive and equitable working and learning
environment for all staff, volunteers, and visitors. We embrace diversity and being exposed
with a broad range of perspectives to identify challenges and discover and generate solutions.
To Apply
Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to
[email protected] with the subject “Summer 2024 Internship”. Review of
applications will commence March 13, 2024, and the position is open until filled. Thank you for
your interest!