Mark A. MacKay Conservation Internship

The Mark A. MacKay Conservation Internship 

Title: Mark A. Mackay Conservation Internship 
Office Location: Allegheny Land Trust, 416 Thorn St., Sewickley, PA, 15143 – Field work will occur primarily at Churchill Valley Greenway in Churchill, Allegheny County 

Time: May - August (A total of 10 weeks at 35 hours per week) 

Compensation: $15/hour, no benefits 
Reports To: Caitlin Seiler, Vice President of Stewardship 
 

Application Closing Date: March 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm; applications are considered on a rolling basis.  

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to Caitlin Seiler at cseiler@alleghenylandtrust.org with “MacKay Conservation Internship” in the subject line. 
 

Internship Summary:  
Allegheny Land Trust and the MacKay Family have established the Mark A. MacKay Conservation Internship at ALT’s Churchill Valley Greenway. The annual internship is made possible by a generous endowing gift from the MacKay’s to honor the life of their son/brother Mark, a life-long lover of the natural world and career conservation professional who passed away in 2017. 

Each year, the MacKay Internship will provide one passionate and knowledgeable student of the environment with the opportunity to work with ALT staff, partners, and volunteers at this special conservation area to maintain and enhance the land, restore native plant and wildlife habitat, improve the visitor experience, conduct educational and scientific programming, and be the daily face of ALT at the site. The intern may also lead other special conservation-related projects as deemed appropriate during their tenure at the Greenway.  

Far more than simply a fascinating ten-week job, the internship will provide a truly outstanding learning experience for an undergraduate or graduate level student or otherwise qualified community member with a desire to pursue an environmentally centered career. The intern in this position will be exposed to a wide range of conservation and environmental principles and challenges and will be able to apply their classroom skills and/or other related knowledge to further explore their career interests through hands-on application in a working outdoor community laboratory.  

Churchill Valley Greenway’s on-going natural restoration and its ability to serve the community will be facilitated by the efforts of the MacKay Intern and the intern will gain invaluable experience as a building block toward a conservation or environmentally focused career. 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

The Mark A. MacKay Internship provides a well-rounded, ten-week, on-site immersion into a multitude of conservation and environmental topics that vary based on current needs and initiatives at the Greenway. While no two MacKay Intern experiences will be the same due to different property circumstances at the times of their service and different strengths and skill sets brought by the specific interns, all will be expected to:  

Communicate the land’s unique attributes, critical habitats and resources, rules and regulations, and education and recreation opportunities to visitors.  

Coordinate and lead volunteer events and interpretive walks of the Greenway. 

Assist with hands-on management plan implementation, invasive species control, and native habitat development.  

Perform basic maintenance of trails, signs, parking areas, and other visitor facilities using tractors, mowers, small power equipment, and hand tools.  

Represent ALT at community events and meetings with residents, local officials, and volunteers. 

Maintain accurate records of activities, events, and happenings on the land.  

Participate in the reforestation, stream bank restoration, AMD system installation, and other priority projects as appropriate during their tenure. 

Complete one conservation-related special project as identified with supervisor. 

Requirements and Basic Qualifications: 

Pursuing a degree in natural sciences, park management, landscape architecture, or a related field. 

Available for a total of 10 weeks. 

Excellent public speaking, communication, and organizational skills. 

Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds; ability to use hand tools and some mechanical equipment. 

Familiarity with native flora/fauna as well as invasive species. 

Knowledge of trail maintenance and ecological land management principles. 

Availability of working some evenings and weekends. 

A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (gas expenses are reimbursed at the federal IRS rate.) 

ALT is a 501(c)3 land conservation nonprofit that has helped local people save local land since 1993. The organization’s mission is to conserve and care for local land for the health and well-being of current and future generations, and its vision charts a path for a resilient region with abundant green space that is easily accessible and recognized as essential to the quality of life for all. 

Allegheny Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. Allegheny Land Trust will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity.