The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s exceptional natural places since 1932. As a member-based nonprofit organization, we work in cities and towns across Western Pennsylvania and rely on the help of thousands of members, partners and volunteers. We are making a difference in our region’s water, land and life. We do this work for the benefit of wildlife and people who call Western Pennsylvania home, and for future generations.

We are currently hiring an individual to fill the Watershed Conservation Intern position based out of Indiana, PA. The person in this position will work under the supervision of assigned Watershed Conservation staff in the summer of 2026 for approximately 12 weeks (500 hours). The function of this position is to assist with implementing a variety of watershed restoration projects and aquatic surveys, in close coordination with Watershed Conservation staff. 

Duties and Responsibilities (Essential or Marginal):

• Water quality monitoring & assessment
• Watershed restoration and stream habitat enhancement
• Agricultural best management practices
• Project design, planning, and implementation
• Stream survey work including macroinvertebrates, fish, salamanders, and/or freshwater mussels

Qualifications: 

• Proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
• Able to travel to various worksites and willing to work some evenings, weekends, and overnight trips as needed
• The ability to conduct field research in remote locations as part of a team is essential for this position
• Job requires the ability to traverse rugged terrain while carrying at least 50 pounds of equipment in a variety of weather conditions and assist with strenuous physical duties, including heavy lifting and using hand/power tools to complete construction activities
• To be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands / Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Utilizing keyboarding and fine motor skills 
• Utilizing gross motor skills to operate tools and equipment
• Driving a motor vehicle 
• Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Bending, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and crawling
• Reaching overhead, at, and below eye level
• Swimming and wading in flowing water
• Climbing up and down stairways and ladders
• Sitting/standing/walking for periods in excess of 2 hours traversing rugged terrain
• Speaking and hearing in-person, telephone, and other remote speech (2-way radio)
• Seeing with near, far, and peripheral visual acuity
• Evenings and weekend hours

Location: The position is based out of our Indiana, PA office.

Position Duration: This is a part-time, temporary opportunity, lasting approximately 12 weeks (500 hours).

Rate: $17.00/hour

Application Process: Please send a cover letter, resume, salary expectations, and referral source to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list “Watershed Conservation Intern” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: Until filled

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We are fully committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek contributors from all backgrounds to join our team.