Contracted Student Interns - Service Forestry Intern - Western Region (UNPAID)

About the Role

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) seeks an intern to support the Service Forestry Program for a period of 6-8 weeks during the Summer 2026 season. Also known as Private Lands Forestry, the program provides education, information, support and technical expertise to landowners and municipalities throughout the Commonwealth so owners can make informed decisions about their forested properties. This internship is unpaid and designed to support students or recent graduates seeking practical experience in the field. Interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their college or university.

Responsibilities

• Enter, track, and assist with processing submissions under both the Ch 132 (forest cutting plans) and Ch 61 (forest management/stewardship) programs utilizing the appropriate online portal and/or database
• File paper-based plans
• Review digitized/scanned files for accuracy and update electronic locations with any related hard copy documents
• Consolidate duplicate online file locations and parse out data from files for sorting/reporting capabilities
• Develop a catalog of current publications on hand; distribute materials to other offices as requested/needed
• Respond to requests for materials, in print and/or electronically, from internal and external entities
• Support office staff with filing, scanning, and updating spreadsheets with current inventory
• Opportunities to attend outreach events, workshops, and do field site visits with a Service Forester will be encouraged when schedule allows
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Skills

• Excellent communications skills in written and oral communication
• Organization and attention to detail
• Basic experience with Microsoft Office and SharePoint
• Comfort working independently and collaboratively with a team

Office vs Field hours will be at a 2:1 ratio. This internship program pays particular attention to groups underrepresented in the natural resources workforce including but not limited to: African American/Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latino, and people that identify as LGBTQ+ or with disabilities. Members of the Environmental Justice (EJ) community are encouraged to apply.