Data Specialist and Outreach Intern

Title: Summer 2026 Data Specialist and Outreach Intern

Department: Projects & Programs

Employment Level: 15 hours/week; 8 weeks 

Reports to: Advocacy Director

education Award Stipend: $2,000 

Targeted Start Date: June 8th

Mountain Area Preservation’s (MAP) mission is to preserve the Truckee-Tahoe region’s mountain character and natural environment for present and future generations. Our advocacy has led to the permanent protection of over 7,000 acres of land in Martis Valley, Donner Summit, Brockway Summit, and Eastern Truckee. 

MAP seeks to hire a dynamic summer intern to support our advocacy and outreach programs. This is an exciting opportunity to work for a successful grassroots environmental non-profit organization and learn about land use, advocacy, and environmental stewardship. 

Job Purpose: The Data Specialist and Outreach Intern is responsible for researching, compiling, and incorporating wildlife, natural resource, and property data into a spatial analysis. With the support of the Advocacy Director and Executive Director, the intern will utilize this data to identify land acquisition and advocacy priorities and inform MAP’s open space strategy in Truckee Tahoe. The results will be presented to the MAP Projects Committee. 

In addition to the spatial analysis, the intern will have the opportunity to participate in summer outreach opportunities, including Truckee Thursdays, the 2026 Lake Tahoe Summit, and the Tahoe City Farmers’ Market. 

Work Environment: Mountain Area Preservation is a small team with an office on Jibboom Street in Truckee, CA. Most hours will be spent in a typical office environment, at a desk with a computer and GIS software provided by MAP. However, this is a flexible position, and remote work opportunities are available—specific hours to be determined with the Advocacy Director. Outreach events take place on-site throughout Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. The intern is expected to have reliable transportation to the Truckee office and be able to coordinate carpooling or transportation to outreach events. 

Job Requirements/Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (or recently graduated) in GIS, environmental geography, environmental science, spatial ecology, or a related field.
• Strong commitment to environmental advocacy work, stewardship, conservation, and, in particular, MAP’s mission, goals, and values.
• Experienced GIS user of Esri solutions for data processing and management to develop shapefiles and perform geospatial analyses.
• experience with research, data analysis, and critical thinking.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently, as well as in a team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of or familiarity with the Truckee Tahoe region.
• Be kind and have a sense of humor.