Conservation Project Assistant: Federal Work-Study (Student Wage)

**Federal work-study students only**

Overview:

In partnership with Student Financial Services the Department of Forestry is recruiting for a Conservation Project Assistant. The Department of Forestry is located 900 Natural Resources Drive Charlottesville Virginia 22903. This position is open to both UVA undergraduate (3rd and 4th years only) and graduate students. This position will mainly be hybrid but there will be a limited expectation of some in-person office

responsibilities.

Organizational Background:

The Virginia Department of Forestry’s (DOF) Office of Working Lands Preservation (OWL) works to conserve farms and forests of the Commonwealth to support continued and sustainable management of working lands. DOF works to preserve and protect the conservation values of The Commonwealth’s natural resources through education, land management, and permanent land protection. Our work helps Virginia

ensure sustainable forest and agricultural resources are maintained and natural benefits such as clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and a continuous supply of forest and agricultural resources are available for future generations.

Job Description:

We are currently hiring a Conservation Project Assistant to help complete a large, complex forest land conservation project. The project represents the single largest private landowner conservation transaction ever proposed in Virginia, encompassing approximately 22,000 acres of forest land.  The cumulative conservation outcomes will achieve extraordinary public benefits by protecting 35 square miles of highly productive working forests from development which shall ensure continued sustainable timber management.

The goal is to provide the Conservation Project Assistant with real world, state agency experience to enhance their marketability as an employee post-graduation. Working on a state project on this immense scale and complexity will provide invaluable experience to the applicant. The conservation project functions as a complex real estate transaction between a willing private landowner and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The work includes but is not limited to:

• Help review real estate transaction related legal documents such as appraisals, boundary surveys, title searches (deeds and easements) and real estate closing documents

• Help develop and review Baseline Documentation Reports (BDR) for easement acquisitions related to project

• Help organize and manage all required documents related to project real estate transactions  

• Learn to review and produce basic Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps related to the project (if interested)

Desired Qualifications:

• Interest and/or experience in managing the legal aspects of real estate transactions

• Interest in learning about and helping with the state procurement of real

• estate services

• Familiarity with reviewing real estate legal documents such as appraisal reports, title insurance commitments, deeds, and real estate purchase contracts.

• Familiarity with GIS

This position may be best suited for:

• Graduate Law School Students

• Graduate Urban Planning Program Students

• Undergraduate Urban Planning Program Students

Compensation: This position is a paid internship, the undergraduate hourly pay rate will be $18.00 per hour. Graduate student pay will be $21.00 hourly depending on experience.

Scheduling: 10-15 hours are the expectation with consideration for the students class schedule.

Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter for further consideration from the hiring manager.

Position begins August 25, 2025 and ends May 14, 2026.

Student must be receiving Federal Work Study funding in order to apply for this position.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Resume and cover letter required. Federal Work-Study eligibility required.

Education: Current UVA student
Experience: None
Licensure: None

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.