Land Steward Internship

https://www.fopos.org/land-steward-internship

Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) seeks 2 to 3 Land Steward Interns for the 2026 season. The interns will work under the direction of FOPOS Director of Natural Resources and Stewardship, assisting in the day-to-day activities of managing an open space preserve. Most of the interns’ time will be spent outdoors working within riparian and forest restoration project sites located at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, in Princeton. 

Interns will become familiar with the local flora and fauna of the New Jersey Piedmont and learn how to mitigate some of the pressures that our forests face, from invasive species infestations to the overabundance of white-tailed deer. Interns will also gain leadership skills as environmental educators and land stewards as they engage with volunteers, school, and community groups, along with FOPOS stewardship staff and board members, throughout the course of the season.

As a small non-profit organization, FOPOS relies on its volunteers to meet its stewardship goals and hosts frequent volunteer sessions and community events at the Preserve. Stewardship interns will play a critical role in organizing and leading these events, typically held on weekends. 

Internship description:

• Native Plantings: gain hands-on experience planting and caring for native trees and shrubs within active restoration sites at the preserve. Interns will become familiar with and learn about the ecological importance of native species in New Jersey. 
• Invasive Species Management: identify, monitor, and remove invasive plant species using hand tools, electric weed whackers and hedge trimmers. Interns will learn about the many pressures that New Jersey’s forests and other local ecosystems face, and how to mitigate them. 
• Ecological Monitoring: conduct tree health surveys to assess treatment inputs for beech leaf disease, as well as vegetation surveys of invasive and native plant cover. Interns will assist in monitoring and repairing protective deer exclosures, and other monitoring projects as needed.
• Volunteer Stewardship Sessions: organize and lead volunteer stewardship sessions in restoration project sites at the preserve, engaging with the public, including school, community, and corporate groups. Interns will introduce volunteers to land stewardship projects and procedures including tips on plant identification, tool use and safety, while honing in on the ecological value.
• Land Stewardship Team: work as a team with other interns of college or high-school level, building mentorship, leadership, and teamwork skills along the way. Make connections with peers and community members to build a network within the environmental field. 
• Field and Administrative Duties: data entry, file management including volunteer and project work logs, organizing tools, assisting with trail maintenance, watering, and other duties as needed.
• Environmental Education: opportunities to participate in supplemental educational opportunities as available, such as nature and bird walks, stewardship conferences, lectures, and/or other relevant events.
• Media Content/Engagement: contribute photos and short written content to highlight wildlife, project milestones, and other relevant subject matter. 

Compensation: $16/hour

Duration and hours: The positions are part-time seasonal internship opportunities, as listed below. Interns must be available to work on weekends. 

• Long-season intern: March 2026 through November 2026, working an average of 2-3 days per week for approximately 750 hours across the season
• The long-season Land Steward Intern will support spring and fall planting seasons, including FOPOS Earth Day series, invasive removal and plant preparation work, as well as mentor FOPOS summer high school intern program.
• Spring intern: March 2026 through June 2026, working an average of 2-3 days per week for approximately 350 hours across the season
• The spring Land Steward Intern will support the spring planting season along with plant preparation and invasive removal work. 
• Fall intern: Sept 2026 through November 2026, working an average of 2-3 days per week for approximately 250 hours across the season
• The fall Land Steward Intern will support the fall planting season along with plant preparation and invasive removal work.

Applicants for the spring season are encouraged to apply for the fall position as well. Interns must be available to work on some weekend dates to support volunteer stewardship sessions. As with all field jobs, the schedule may change at times to accommodate weather, agency needs, and rescheduled or new events. 

Application deadline: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026. FOPOS is accepting applications on a rolling basis and will fill the position as qualified candidates are selected. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Interested applicants are welcome to join FOPOS at one of the upcoming volunteer sessions at the Preserve, which offers a great preview to what the internship is like, as well as an opportunity to visit the park and meet some of FOPOS staff and community. https://www.fopos.org/getinvolved

Requirements: Ideal candidates will be actively pursuing a degree or career in ecology, natural resource management, environmental education, or related fields; must possess a strong interest in conservation, a desire to work outdoors, the ability to tolerate various field and weather conditions as well as conduct physically strenuous field work. Applicants must be able to work both independently and as a member of a team, engage with the public, be accountable, punctual, organized, and maintain a positive attitude. Applicants must have their own transportation and live within commuting distance of Princeton. We do not provide housing.