Thank you for your interest in working with Thurston Conservation District! We do not currently have any permanent staff positions available at this time. Please check back later.
Available Internships
We are committed to doing all we can to make an internship a very rewarding and educational experience. Our interns work closely with staff to complete meaningful and engaging projects that not only contribute to protecting our environment but also look good on a resume!
Student internship opportunities (such as ILCs) are available depending on staff capacity. Contracts are tailored to provide the student with more in-depth experience in a range of focus areas and the opportunity to expand knowledge and skills in areas not provided through traditional education.
Internship positions through the Veterans Conservation Corps and for our Field Crews are paid internship opportunities.
Ecosystem Management Research Internship
One or more positions
UP to 40 hours/week
$3,300/month
Available period: June 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
We are developing a strategy for adapting remote sensing data and field observations to track the status of ecosystem functions at a site, watershed, and county-wide scale. This work will be used to support the development and implementation of TCD programs and policies that aim to achieve a “net gain” in ecosystem functions over time through a mixture of voluntary stewardship and incentives. This project will include research into “best available science” and analysis of spatial data to evaluate ecosystem conditions, and development of a framework for assessing ecosystem condition, and testing practical methods for collecting data to describe change over time.
We are seeking one or more graduate-level or senior undergraduate interns to participate in this project. This position will be able to accommodate hands-on training and mentorship and can be integrated with the timing and academic requirements of your school year or degree program. This opportunity is well suited to a graduate-level or experienced undergraduate with previous experiences in reviewing primary literature, GIS analysis, and field work in ecological sciences.
Please see the full position description and application instructions here.
TO APPLY:
Rolling Applications, First Review Deadline April 6, 2026. Questions can be directed to Paul@thurstoncd.com.
Community Garden Ambassador Intern – Closed for 2026
6-10 Hours a week
$1,000 Stipend
Can accommodate academic internship or independent study requirements
Must be 18 years old
Garden ambassadors will spend up to two hours per week in each of the three Olympia tiny home village gardens (Franz-Anderson, Quince St., and Plum St.). The ambassador will support garden health through irrigation monitoring, weed and pest management, seasonal and succession planning, compost management and education, and planting/harvest assistance and education. Additionally, the ambassador will attend weekly community meetings to continue garden education, learn about issues, concerns, and needs. A weekly check-in with Community Agriculture Program Coordinator to facilitate THV garden support will be necessary. (6 hours/week)
Garden ambassadors will support other community gardens in Olympia as needed, including sharing information about monthly garden activities, assisting gardeners, and other duties. The garden ambassadors may attend monthly TCD staff meetings, planned TCD workshops and events, and bi-weekly Education and Outreach team meetings as desired and available to learn more about conservation work in the community. Summer garden ambassador may support TCD Education and Outreach at the Thurston County Fair. Garden ambassadors may also help identify communities in need of community garden and/or support that are not part of the existing community garden structure. (4 hours/week)
Find the full position description here.
TO APPLY:
Share a copy of your resume, two references, and any information about why you’re interested in this internship to nwhite@thurstoncd.com. Put YOUR NAME Community Garden Ambassador in the subject line.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Here at Thurston Conservation District our employees and the people we serve come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Please let us know if you need accommodations to participate in the application process.
We sincerely thank you for your interest in joining the work we do at Thurston Conservation District!
Interested in career opportunities?
Sarah Moorehead
Executive Director
smoorehead@thurstoncd.com
Interested in internship opportunities?
Nora Carman-White
Communications & Education Manager
nwhite@thurstoncd.com
360-999-3727
You can also use our contact form.