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 has launched a search for its next Executive Director! The Trust Board of Directors is working with the Dendros Group to find a skilled, passionate and experienced leader for the Trust.
To learn about the position and how to apply, please review the following:
This opportunity was posted on July 19, 2024. Applications are due September 2, 2024 to Search@dendros.com. Submit questions to Dendros. Thank you for your interest!
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
Our one-year, full-time paid Environmental Education Teaching Internships at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge have been filled for 2024-25. See the posting below for information about these positions and check back in early 2025 to learn about the 2025-26 opportunities.
APPRENTICESHIPS
We also 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 612-801-1935 or dloon@mnvalleytrust.org to discuss how you can join us in mentoring the next generation of conservation professionals.