State Policy Intern

What We Can Achieve Together:

Join TNC Virginia as a STEP Intern!

The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation focused organization. We currently offer paid internships in a range of disciplines across our Virginia Teams. With a focus on recruiting and developing a diverse staff we strive to create an environment where people of all backgrounds experiences and identities feel welcomed to participate in conservation. Wherever you are in your educational journey; community college technical school four-year program or graduate school STEP may have an opportunity for you to consider!

All STEP interns will participate in an orientation professional development webinars and a group field trip. Along the way interns will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with Nature Conservancy staff and partners. At the end of their internship STEP interns will give a short presentation about their time at TNC to the Virginia staff. This position will close on February 15 2026 at midnight. Zoom interviews will occur in early March with final hiring decisions made by March 31.

Schedule: 35 hours/week for 10 weeks from May 30 August 9 2026

Orientation: All interns are required to attend a two-day orientation in Charlottesville on May 28-29 2026

Pay: $18.25/hour

Location: Charlottesville VA

Housing: A housing stipend is available as needed for this location

The Position:

TNCs Government Relations Team is looking for an intern to assist 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. Research sources could include news coverage grant data reports legislative history and academic articles. This position will also work with our Energy and Climate Policy Manager on 1-2 similar projects to gain exposure to additional environmental policy areas and partners.

The position will also involve working with TNCs conservation and communications/marketing staff to learn more about our work and create internal and external policy related pieces like op-eds social media and web content and newsletters. This position is heavily focused on research analysis and writing. There will be opportunities to meet with state officials and work with other Virginia environmental non-profit organizations.

All interns will dedicate 5% of their time to professional development activities through STEP.

Main responsibilities include:

• Using various sources to conduct and summarize research into statewide conservation issues

• Conducting analysis on grant and budgetary data related to environmental issues

• Drafting and editing written materials including fact sheets talking points social media and web content and other content

• Working with the members of the Our Virginia Outdoors Coalition to assist with efforts to pass Virginias Great Outdoors Act

What Youll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• A current undergraduate rising junior or senior recent graduate (within one year) or current graduate student.

• Interest in pursuing a career in environmental policy

• Experience with writing editing and proofreading written materials particularly short form (less than 500 words)

• Experience with research and data management and analysis

• Strong experience with Microsoft products especially Excel

Desired Qualifications

• Experience or coursework with ArcGIS Software

• Experience or coursework with basic statistical analysis and principles

• Experience with Canva

STEP is designed for people early in their careers or with limited prior professional experience.

The pay for a candidate selected for this position is $18.25/hour. This only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidates actual pay will fall will be based on a variety of factors including for example the candidates location qualifications specific skills and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancys mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization we create innovative on-the-ground solutions to our worlds toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. Were rooted in our mission and guided by our values which include respect for all people communities and cultures. Whether its career development flexible schedules or a rewarding mission theres many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are addition to the requirements in our job postings we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicants unique experience. Please apply wed love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC youll join for the mission and stay for the people.

What We Bring:

Since 1951 TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members over 400 scientists and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits flexible spending accounts a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match parental leave accrued paid time off life insurance disability coverage employee assistance program other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

Were proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures races colors religions sexes national or regional origins ages disability status sexual orientation gender identity military protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancys background screening process.

Do you have military experience Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability please send a note to with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.