Description

Job Title:           Student Leader Project Intern

Hours:              Flexible, up to 25 Hours/Week

Start Date:       April/May 2026

End Date:        August 2026

Pay:                  $13/Hour

Location:         Virtual or Hybrid (Ankeny, Iowa)

Position Overview:

Are you looking for a hands-on internship where your work actually matters and helps you graduate with tangible experience, leadership confidence, and a portfolio to share with future employers?

The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), in partnership with the Association of Retired Conservation Service Employees (ARCSE), is seeking a motivated Student Leader Project Intern for the summer. This internship provides meaningful experience supporting operations and logistics for the 81st SWCS International Annual Conference, helping plan a student and early career professional networking session, contributing to social media planning and design, assisting with a retiree project, and supporting additional resource creation efforts.

The position may be fully remote or hybrid for local candidates in Ankeny, Iowa, and concludes with travel to St. Louis, Missouri (all expenses paid) to participate in the 81st SWCS International Annual Conference as both a behind-the-scenes contributor and an engaged participant.

What You’ll Gain:

This internship is structured to provide hands-on experience, including:

•         Involvement in planning and supporting an international professional conference
•         Experience collaborating with staff, volunteers, retirees, and partner organizations
•         Opportunities to develop project management, communication, and organizational skills
•         Exposure to nonprofit operations and cross-organizational collaboration
•         A professional network that includes national leaders in conservation and agriculture
•         Resume-ready accomplishments and work samples 

SWCS is dedicated to making this experience as valuable to the employee as the employee is to SWCS!

About the Soil and Water Conservation Society:

For more than 80 years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) has been the premier international organization for professionals who advance the science and practice of natural resource conservation. Our members work at the intersection of agriculture, environment, policy, and research to ensure sustainable land and water management for future generations.

SWCS is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, with chapters across the United States and Canada. Learn more at www.swcs.org. 

This internship is made possible through the generous support of the Association of Retired Conservation Service Employees (ARCSE). Learn more at www.arcse.org.

Compensation and Benefits:

•      $13/hour, part-time (up to 25 hours/week)
•      Flexible, supportive work environment
•      Complimentary student membership with access to career resources
•      Paid registration, travel, and lodging for an international professional conference
•      On-the-job training and mentorship
•      Meaningful work with visible impact

 How To Apply:

Please submit the following materials in one PDF by February 27, 2026 to courtney.allen@swcs.org.

• - Cover letter
• - Resume
• - Contact information for two professional or academic references
• - College transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

 Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants interested in the Program Support Internship must submit a separate application following the instructions for that position. Applicants are welcome to apply for both opportunities.

Requirements

Who We’re Looking For:

A successful candidate for this position is someone who is:

•       Highly organized and detail-oriented
•       Comfortable managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines
•       A clear communicator (written and verbal)
•       Able to work independently while collaborating with a team

Required Qualifications:

• Enrollment in (or recent graduation from) an undergraduate or graduate program in a related field such as communications, marketing, business, event management, graphic design, environmental studies, agricultural business, nonprofit management, or similar
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Preferred (Not Required):

•       Experience using Asana or other project management platforms
•       Interest in conservation, agriculture, land stewardship, or environmental issues
•       Interest in nonprofit work or professional associations