Careers in Conservation
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There is a growing need for professionals who work in conservation, especially around riparian forest buffers. If you have interest and/or experience in the areas below, this may be a good time to pursue education and a career in this area.
Positions range from 1) primarily indoor focused like grant writing, communications and marketing, and program management, 2) hybrid positions split between indoor and outdoor work like doing site designs, meeting with property owners, and volunteer management, to those that are primarily outdoor focused like planting, buffer and landscape maintenance, and growing trees.
Here are some of the jobs available in the field:
- Arborists and Foresters
- Engineers
- Green Infrastructure, Low Impact Development (LID), Stormwater Professionals
- Grounds Managers and other maintenance professionals
- Horticulturists
- Landscape architects and designers
- Integrated pest management (IPM) technicians or licensed pesticide applicators
- Landscape contractors and technicians
- Nutrient management (fertilizer) planners
- Soil and Environmental Scientists
- Urban Planners
- Agricultural and Natural Resources
- Other Related Professionals
2023 Business of Buffers Roundtable Final Report
Within the James River Watershed, existing riparian buffer contractors are seeing an increase in the demand for their services but are struggling to recruit and train the workforce needed to fulfill existing contracts, limiting their capacity to take on more work. In addition, the cost of doing business has risen (materials, fuel, equipment, labor rates), profits have decreased, there aren’t always enough seedlings to meet demand, and there have been disruptions in the supply chain for tree tubes. In 2023, CBLP and JRA organized a Business of Buffers roundtable to inform the following:
- Small Business Engagement with Buffer Projects
- Ongoing Outreach Activities for the Riparian Consortium
- Contractor Capacity Building
- Planning and Delivery of Training and Professional Development Workshops
Read the Report to see their findings and recommended actions »
Business of Buffers webinar
The Seed Your Future movement was founded to address a critical issue in the horticulture industry – the lack of enough qualified candidates for all of the open jobs across the art, science, technology and business of plants. Learn more »
Meet the Pros
See highlights from people in the field and hear about their career path.
Are you a conservation professional? Share your story »
Early Career, Internships & Volunteering
Whether you are just out of high school, college, or looking for a change in your career path, figuring out how to get your foot in the door can be hard! It’s also a time where you might want to try some things out to see what you like and don’t like. Internships and volunteering are both great options to learn more about the conservation world, meet potential employers, and get your feet wet.
Internships & Fellowships
The James River Stewardship Program offers 12-week positions to support James River riparian buffer maintenance. Internships typically start in late May to late August and recruitment starts in February. More info »
The Virginia Department of Forestry offers paid summer internships each year. They have entry level jobs that do not require a forestry degree. Many have significant fire-response duties. Careers in Forestry brochure »
The Virginia Cooperative Extension, a Virginia Tech program, offers paid summer internships across the state, primarily in agriculture or 4-H youth development. More info »
The Student Conservation Association offers stipened internships across the country. Reach out to them directly and ask for advice on curating your profile to get matched with an opportunity that is right for you. More info »
The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates offer fellowships that can help if you are looking to get into a Masters program. More info »
The Appalachian Conservation Corps partners with land management agencies and organizations to accomplish critical conservation projects and offers internships and AmeriCorps positions . More info »
The Allegheny Mountain Institute offers tuition-free farm fellowships designed for individuals interested in rural agriculture and sustainable farming. More info »
Volunteering
The Virginia Master Naturalist Training runs intensive volunteer training courses that cover all kinds of ecology topics. Learn more »
Your city may have an active Tree Stewards group. Here are a few from around Virginia:
Join the James River Association and Chesapeake Bay Foundation to plant riparian buffers or become a Riparian Steward to help care for them. Volunteer information »
Continued Learning
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Program is a system of materials and consistent instruction across the region, creating a community of certified professionals to be better stormwater partners and environmental stewards.
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional website for complete information »
CBLP-Buffers
CBLP also offers a series of certificate programs including CBLP-Buffers, a comprehensive riparian buffer training program developed with Pennsylvania partners and members of the James Riparian Consortium.
CBLP-Buffers is taught in 3 sessions, and is comprised of a series of videos, webinars, and in-person field workshops. Field workshops are held in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or Virginia. More info »
Certified Pesticide Applicator
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services outlines the steps for becoming a commercial applicator or registered technician. Visit the VDACS website for complete information »
Nutrient Management Certification
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers training to receive nutrient management certification in either an Agriculture or Turf and Landscape category. Visit the VDCR website for complete information »
Sustainable Landscape Design with Woody Plants Certificate Program
This certificate program will familiarize you with woody plant identification, appropriate plant use, and design and landscape establishment in various human-impacted landscapes. Learn more »
Workshops & Training
There are a variety of workshops and training opportunities for you to build your knowledge of the latest and greatest in conservation practices and emerging needs. Keep an eye on our Consortium Calendar for related events.
Job Opportunities
Friends of the James River Park is Hiring for an Invasive Species Management Program Coordinator
The Invasive Species Management (ISM) Program Coordinator will serve as a supervisor for the James River Park System (JRPS) ISM team. The ISM team promotes sustainable management of park resources and protection of JRPS conservation areas through a combination of field work, community engagement, and project management. This position will guide and provide oversight on the work of the ISM team, maintain records on manual and chemical management of invasive species, and coordinate closely with the Invasive Plant Task Force, JRPS operations, and trail team on sustainable management practices in the James River Park System.
To read more, or to apply, visit jamesriverpark.org/employment/
Appalachian Voices is Hiring for a Community Outreach Coordinator
Appalachian Voices is seeking a Community Outreach Coordinator to join our fast-paced, dynamic team. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) for an initial four-year period, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability. We will also consider candidates interested in a part-time position. This is a remote position based in or near West Virginia or Southwest Virginia, with frequent travel within West Virginia, and some travel outside of the Appalachian region.
This position will support Appalachian Voices participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region III Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) and the Mid Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund (MAEJF) program, which provides resources for urban and rural tree planting and related activity in EPA Region III to advance our goals related to community and environmental revitalization efforts in Central Appalachia. Additionally, this position will support community development and environmental protection efforts in West Virginia and Southwest Virginia.
To read more, or to apply, visit appalachian.bamboohr.com/careers/
Ecosystem Services, LLC is Hiring a CAD Specialist
Are you passionate about using technology to create sustainable solutions and bring landscapes to life? Ecosystem Services is searching for a motivated and detail-oriented CAD Technician to support projects that improve water quality, manage stormwater, and rebuild native landscapes.
This position will work closely with our science and engineering teams to develop engineering plans for stream and wetland restoration and stormwater management projects. Drafting work will primarily be in AutoDesk Civil 3D. Preference for a candidate with consulting experience, and high standards for accuracy in detail from grading to erosion and sediment control measures.
To read more, or to apply, visit ecosystemservices.us/careers
Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is Hiring a Plantings for the Piedmont Assistant
PEC is seeking to hire an Assistant to organize and support tree planting projects. This is an entry level, seasonal, part-time position that is grant-funded until August 2026. PEC anticipates this position will work between 400 – 600 hours in 2025 and 100 – 200 hours in 2026. This position requires a commitment to work in spring and fall 2025 and spring 2026. This timing mirrors ideal planting seasons and PEC anticipates the position to be active late February through May and September through early November. During the spring and fall seasons, the Assistant can expect to work between 20-30 hours per week. As such, there will likely be fewer working hours during the summer months (e.g., 4-5 hours per week).
The position is based out of PEC’s headquarters in Warrenton, Virginia. However, the majority of time will be spent in the field at planting locations.
To read more, or to apply, visit pecva.org/about/jobs-internships/
Places to post or look for jobs
Submit your job post to the Buffer Consortium newsletter by emailing Rachel Bensink and make sure to sign up to receive our newsletter!