ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Through its visionary leadership and high impact staff, the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) champions urban natural areas in New York City and across the nation through innovative research, partnerships, and advocacy. We increase the health and resilience of urban forests and wetlands, catalyze connections between people and nature, and strengthen the environmental workforce.
Started in 2012, the Natural Areas Conservancy is the first park conservancy dedicated exclusively to New York City’s natural areas–20,000 acres across all five boroughs. Since 2019, we have also worked on a national scale, leading a network of representatives from cities across the U.S. to strengthen research, information sharing, and communication efforts to enhance the field of urban forest management.
We want all people to feel welcomed, inspired by, and connected to the natural world.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Since 2016, the NAC has offered a paid internship program to over 150 students from any school within the City University of New York (CUNY). Through our Urban Nature Ecology Stewardship Training (NEST) summer internship, we provide local students the unique opportunity to receive training in research, monitoring, and management of natural areas in NYC, and to actively apply that knowledge with field-based activities such as data collection, restoration, or trail improvements projects. During this full-time program, interns receive training in skills including flora/fauna identification, field ecology, restoration techniques, and data collection protocols, as well as professional development training in the areas of self-budgeting, negotiating, workplace communication, and interviewing skills.
Interns will participate in one of the following tracks: (1) Monitoring & Assessment, (2) Trails, or (3) Programming. Further information about specific summer internship projects that are open to recruitment in 2026 (Natural & Nature-Based Features Data Analysis and Restoring Natural Areas in Forest Park, Queens) can be found in the project guide. Please note that eligible applicants for the summer internship are current students and recent graduates (up to 2 years post-graduate).
The role of Crew Member will report to the Lead Manager Internships and Workforce Development for internal administrative purposes and an NAC, NYC Parks or program partner staff member for on site supervision. Outdoor work varies from 20-80% and depends on the project, with the remainder of work being completed from an at-home or NYC Parks office.
Under the supervision of NAC, NYC Parks staff, or program partner staff, Crew Members will receive project-specific training. Skills covered depend on the project the intern is placed to work on, and may include plant identification, trail mapping, field ecology, and surveying methods. Ultimately data collected in NYC parkland will support projects related to ecological conditions, wildlife, and vegetation.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of a Crew Leader or Project Manager, accurately collecting data according to assessment protocols and/or conduct on-the-ground management of natural areas and trails networks
Working outdoors for long hours in NYC natural areas (forests, wetlands, and grasslands) in various weather conditions hiking up to 6 miles and carrying up to 30 lbs.
Identifying flora and/or fauna present in NYC natural areas
Entering and editing data on web-based forms or paper datasheets
Accurately navigating to study areas
Assisting with data entry and/or logging work activities as needed
Participating in professional development activities offered
Interacting with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
Current or recently graduated (last two years) CUNY student
Interest in studying and improving local ecosystems
Excellent organizational, analytical, and written communication skills
Ability to travel/work independently
Ability to work outside for long hours and carry up to 30 lbs.
Computer/Microsoft Office skills
PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
Field data collection experience
Experience with ArcMap Desktop or ArcGIS Online
Experience identifying plants, invertebrates, and/or fish
Experience using dichotomous keys for flora and fauna identification
Experience using surveying equipment
Data management, analysis and visualization experience
JOB LOCATION:
Crew Member positions are available with reporting locations in all five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island). While working from home, access to a computer and stable internet connection is required.
DURATION:
Summer internship will run for 8 weeks from June 22nd to August 14, 2026. Please see the project guide for more details.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
The NAC is offering a salary of $20 hourly for this position at 35 hours/week. Positions are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision insurance or 401K benefits. Sick/safe leave will be accrued in accordance with company policy.
APPLICATION
To apply for the Crew Member role at the Natural Areas Conservancy, please review the project guide and apply online at our Career Center. In this application you will include your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcripts from your CUNY institution in the format listed below. You may be asked to provide the contact information of two references later during the interview process.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position closes at 11:59pm on Monday, March 26th. Please address any questions to workforce@naturalareasnyc.org.
Please upload all materials as PDF files with each labeled as follows:
A. Cover letter → 2026_last name_first inital_CL (i.e. ‘2026_Jones_J_CL.pdf’);
B. Resume → 2026_ last name_first inital_R (i.e. ‘2026_Jones_J_R.pdf’);
C. Unofficial transcript → 2026_ last name_first inital_UOT (i.e. ‘2026_Jones_J_UOT.pdf’)
SECTIONS OF ONLINE APPLICATION
Personal Information
Uploading resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript
Eligibility and skills assessment questions
Voluntary self ID
Review Self-Attest, and Submit
