Lowcountry Land Trust 2022 Summer Internship Program
ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST
Lowcountry Land Trust (LLT) is a South Carolina local conservation organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on protecting ecologically, agriculturally, and historically significant Lowcountry lands. With an office in Charleston, SC, LLT operates in all 17 coastal South Carolina counties, protecting more than 150,000 acres across 500 properties. Our mission is to protect land and water forever, nurture the relationship between people and place, and connect communities to conservation.
ABOUT OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
This summer, LLT is offering five (5) paid internship tracts:
- Community-Centered Conservation
- Cooper River Conservation (two positions)
- Events and Communications
- GIS and Conservation Planning
- Stewardship
Summer interns will contribute to the long-term success of LLT by assisting the staff in daily operations and management. The program offers interns an opportunity to play a key role in our organization, through the orderly and efficient completion of critical and timely projects.
All interns will work closely alongside conservation and program staff members on specific projects. In addition to their respective responsibilities, interns are included in a weekly training curriculum to help prepare for a professional career. Past LLT interns have gone on to work with the DNR, other conservation organizations, and even lead the Land Trust- seriously!
For all internships, the primary work location will be at our Charleston office, but travel and fieldwork may be necessary. Interns must have a personal vehicle. Parking is available at our office.
Application Instructions:
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, with applications accepted no later than May 13. Please email materials to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org. In the subject line, please indicate the project(s) for which you would like to be considered. Attached, please include your cover letter (addressed to the project lead or leads, resume, and list of three (3) professional references. Please, no phone calls.
Specific goals and responsibilities are as follows (note: internship goals and responsibilities listed here represent a sampling of responsibilities and do not constitute an exhaustive list of intern work requirements):
COMMUNITY CENTERED CONSERVATION INTERN
Project Leads: Samantha Siegel, Angel Oak Project Manager | Tyler Grespin, Director of Community Conservation | Natalie Olson, Sea Island Program Director
Time Commitment: 20 hours per week for 10 weeks, May 31, 2022 - August 11, 2022
Compensation: $12/ hour ($2,400 maximum gross pay)
Experience:
- Coursework in communications, environmental science, political science, or related field
- Demonstrated interest in conservation and environmental sustainability
- Strong communication and personal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for synergy
- Conservation and/or nonprofit experience helpful, but not required
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assist with outreach activities related to community-centered conservation projects, particularly the Angel Oak Preserve
- Research relevant partners and creative funding opportunities
- Develop materials and content to support outreach efforts
- Assist in the creation and editing of written, video, and photo content
- Assist (in person) at events and workshops when necessary
- Must be comfortable working outside
- Attend meetings as designated by project leads (i.e. committee meetings, task force meetings, community meetings, staff meetings)
COOPER RIVER CONSERVATION INTERNS
This project has two (2) open positions available
Project Leads: David Ray, Chief Conservation Officer
Time Commitment: 20-35 hours per week for 10 weeks, May 31, 2022 - August 11, 2022
Compensation: Commensurate with experience and time commitment
Experience:
- Coursework or degree in environmental studies, natural resources, historic preservation, geography, or other relevant areas of study
- Ability to attend meetings and perform fieldwork
- Excellent writing and communications skills
- Knowledge of and strong interest in coastal South Carolina’s natural, historical, and cultural resources (preferred)
- Experience generating photo, video, and audio content (preferred)
- Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping (preferred)
- Experience that demonstrates: problem solving; resourcefulness; anticipation of needs; a strong aesthetic sense; and ability to collect information from a variety of sources and organize for strategic use by partners
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Primary Responsibilities:
- With the Chief Conservation Officer, other LLT staff, and partners, develop and document Cooper River land protection strategies
- Collect existing documents relevant to the conservation of the Cooper River District and compile summaries
- Communicate and coordinate with landowner-led partnership task force
- Develop storytelling materials (narrative, visual, and audio)
- Draft and deliver a report that sets the stage for a strategic plan aimed at elevating recognition of the Cooper River district’s natural and historical significance, and promoting its protection
EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
Project Lead: Bea Girndt, Director of Outreach and Events
Time Commitment: 20 hours per week for 10 weeks, May 31, 2022 - August 11, 2022
Compensation: $12/ hour ($2,400 maximum gross pay)
Recommended Skills and Experience:
- Coursework in communications, environmental science, political science, event planning, project management, or related fields
- Interest in conservation
- Strong communication and personal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for synergy
- Conservation and/or nonprofit experience helpful, but not required
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assist with development of sponsor materials and proposal documents
- Collect visual assets and brand materials from sponsors
- Set up event pages using online “Classy” platform
- Assist with vendor quotes and coordination
- Assist with solicitations of silent auction items
- Draft content for communications plans
- Attend events in person as determined by manager
- Assist with managing volunteers
GIS AND CONSERVATION PLANNING INTERN
Project Lead: Carl Taylor, GIS and Conservation Planning Manager
Time Commitment: 20 hours per week for 10 weeks, May 31, 2022 - August 11, 2022
Compensation: $12/ hour ($2,400 maximum gross pay)
Experience:
- Intermediate understanding of ArcGIS Desktop or Pro (minimum 1-2 courses)
- Ability to perform fieldwork
- ArcGIS Online (preferred)
- ESRI Field Maps (preferred)
- Knowledge of South Carolina ecosystems and land cover types (preferred)
Primary Responsibilities:
- Generally assist with execution of GIS and Conservation planning
- Create and update property and “Landscape” data
- Use legal and ecological resources to research property
- Create and update GIS geometry and attributes
- Perform data collection field work as part of a team
STEWARDSHIP INTERN
Project Lead: Sam Seawell, Conservation Manager
Time Commitment: 20 hours per week for 10 weeks, May 31, 2022 - August 11, 2022
Compensation: $12/ hour ($2,400 maximum gross pay)
Experience:
- Coursework in environmental science, natural resources, or related fields
- Strong communication and personal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work in harsh environmental conditions, previous field experience preferred but not required
- Computer software and data management skills
- Conservation and/or nonprofit experience helpful, but not required
Primary Responsibilities:
- Conduct annual monitoring visits on LLT’s protected properties
- Complete annual monitoring reports, documenting, recording, and filing pertinent information relating to monitoring visits, issues, and activities on protected properties
- Assist in managing and updating LLT’s stewardship database, Landscape
- Manage and organize LLT’s Baseline Documentation Reports
- Assist with integration of Raiser’s Edge and Landscape databases
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Lowcountry Land Trust is committed to the principles of diversity and equal employment opportunity, and to comply with all federal, state, and local laws that are applicable to equal employment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation or identity, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, service in the federal or state military, liability for military service, arrest or conviction record, union affiliation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, medical or genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular blood trait, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make test results available to the Company, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, in accordance with applicable laws. The Land Trust also complies with the South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodation Act.