Work With Us
The Minnesota Valley Trust works to make careers in conservation accessible to people from all walks of life. We have a variety of internship, apprenticeship and staff positions to help grow our work, as well as the diversity and strength of those who work in the field.
Permanent Positions
The Minnesota Valley Trust does not currently have any vacant permanent positions.
Internships & Apprenticeships
Interns taking a photo break from collecting native seed with Refuge & Trust staff
Apprentices meet with leaders of the US Fish & Wildlife Service
We aim to make the conservation profession more accessible to early-career professionals who are committed to diversity in the conservation field.
To do that, the Minnesota Valley Trust and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge have partnered together to “Mentor the Next Generation of Conservation Professionals” through:
Proactive recruitment of participants
One and two-year entry-level positions on the Refuge to work alongside and learn from USFWS professionals
Compensation that provides a livable wage and benefits, including paid-time off and federal holidays, workers compensation insurance, life and disability insurance, employer contribution to health and dental insurance, and employer match to a retirement plan
Professional development, training and networking
Certification by the Public Lands Corps, which provides a non-competitive hiring status in the federal government.
By serving as a training ground, we create a pipeline to future opportunities in a conservation-related field, thus diversifying the conservation profession and building a conservation ethic for the future.
The Trust employs up to eight interns and apprentices annually on the Refuge. These are full-time paid positions for young adults who have recently completed post-secondary degrees and want to explore conservation careers. The position terms are one or two years.
INTERNSHIPS
Applications are open for our one-year, full-time paid Environmental Education Teaching Internships at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The 2025-26 positions begin on June 2, 2025. Applications are due by 10 pm on March 2, 2025. See the posting below for information about these positions and how to apply.
APPRENTICESHIPS
We have filled our four, two-year, full-time Apprenticeships on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District. These positions run June 2024 through May 2026. See the postings below for information about the positions.
Conservation Biology Apprenticeships: Full-Time, Two-Year (2 positions) PDF
Visitor Services & Outreach Apprenticeships: Full-Time, Two-Year (2 positions) PDF
BENEFITS & HOUSING
Interns and apprentices are employees of the Minnesota Valley Trust. They receive a competitive hourly wage and are eligible for benefits, including paid time-off, insurance contribution, and retirement plan match. Free housing may be available.
HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and American Conservation Experience have filled the internships for the school year of 2023-24. These are paid internships for students who are age 14-17 at the start of the position. The interns work with Refuge staff and engage in monthly career discovery, conservation and outdoor recreation activities.
High school interns have a wide variety of learning and serving experiences on the Refuge and in the community. Check out the Minnesota Valley Summer 2022 High School Internship Report!
Thank You
The Minnesota Valley Trust thanks the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for recommending a grant from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to expand our internship and apprenticeship program.
If you’re a potential funder, please connect with us at 952-207-0247 or nfeeken@mnvalleytrust.org to discuss how you can join us in mentoring the next generation of conservation professionals.