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Internship Gis Jobs in Blue Ridge, VA (NOW HIRING)

Forester - Open Pool

Forest, VA · Hybrid

$50K - $55K/yr

Serve as a project/work lead for Forestry Technicians, seasonal employees, and interns on assigned ... Working proficiency with Microsoft Office and GIS/GPS tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Online or ...

Internship Gis information

See Blue Ridge, VA salary details

$5

$13

$20

How much do internship gis jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship gis in Blue Ridge, VA is $13.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $16.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the internship GIS position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship GIS professional, you need foundational knowledge in geography or related fields, experience with mapping concepts, and often progress towards or possession of a relevant degree. Familiarity with GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS, as well as skills in data analysis and map creation, is highly valued. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and a willingness to learn help interns excel as they work on projects and adapt to team needs. These abilities ensure accurate data visualization, support collaborative workflows, and contribute meaningfully to real-world spatial analysis projects.

What types of projects or tasks can I expect to work on during a GIS internship?

As a GIS intern, you may assist with creating digital maps, performing spatial data analysis, collecting and cleaning geographic data, and supporting fieldwork or research initiatives. Interns often contribute to real-world projects such as updating databases, preparing reports, or helping visualize data for environmental studies, urban planning, or resource management. You’ll typically work under the guidance of experienced GIS analysts and collaborate closely with team members from various backgrounds. This hands-on experience is designed to help you build practical technical skills while learning professional workflows in a real-world setting.

What is an internship GIS?

A GIS (Geographic Information Systems) internship is a temporary position where students or recent graduates gain hands-on experience working with spatial data, mapping software, and geospatial analysis. Interns typically assist with data collection, map creation, spatial analysis, and database management. These roles are commonly found in industries such as urban planning, environmental science, transportation, and government agencies. The experience helps interns develop technical skills in GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS, improving their career prospects in geospatial fields.

What cities near Blue Ridge, VA are hiring for Internship Gis jobs? Cities near Blue Ridge, VA with the most Internship Gis job openings:
Infographic showing various Internship Gis job openings in Blue Ridge, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 64% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,108 per year, or $14 per hour.

Forestry Technician - Open Pool

Colorado State University

Forest, VA • On-site

$46K - $50K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 11 hours ago


Colorado State University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

485th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job DescriptionPosition Summary:

The Forestry Technician is an entrylevel, office and fieldbased role that supports CSFS programs and operations under the direction of a Supervisory Forester or Lead Project Forester. The position assists with planning and implementation of forestry projects and provides customer service to landowners, communities, and partners.

Work focuses on field execution (inventory, layout, marking, monitoring), basic project , and logistics. Appointments may be fulltime or parttime (openpool). Field work involves periodic travel and occasional irregular hours during peak seasons

Full Consideration Date:

This evergreen posting will remain open and continue collecting applications until December 31, 2026. Applicants who wish to be considered after this date must reapply.

Salary Range:

$46,000 - $50,000

Essential Job Duties:
  • Conduct field forestry tasks including inventories, boundary identification, cruising/marking, treatment layout, and monitoring to support forest management, stewardship, wildfire mitigation/fuels treatments, and urban & community forestry projects.

  • Assist with grant and costshare program delivery (e.g., Colorado Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation, Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program, State & Private Forestry, State Fire Assistance, Community Assistance on Adjacent Lands) by preparing scopes/estimates, collecting documentation, and tracking progress.

  • Support timber sale preparation and administration by assembling maps, assisting with prescriptions, preparing field notes, and coordinating with contractors under guidance.

  • Provide customer service to landowners, HOAs, and community partners; participate in outreach events and educational activities; relay technical guidance from foresters.

  • Maintain project records and reports; support purchasing, equipment logistics, and facility/yard organization for the field office.

  • Participate in pile burning and prescribed fire on state lands as qualified and assigned; follow safety policies and procedures.

Conditions of Employment:
  • Schedule and prioritize daily field tasks to meet safety and quality standards; identify issues and recommend adjustments to the project lead.

  • Select appropriate field methods for measurements, marking, and layout within established prescriptions and guidance.

  • Document contractor performance and field conditions; recommend acceptance of work within delegated limits and elevate nonroutine issues.

Supervision:

This position does not directly supervise, but may serve as a work lead for discrete tasks based on experience.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource Management or an Associate's Degree or Some College/Tech training in: Associates Degree in Forestry from an SAF accredited college or institution.

  • Valid driver's license (Colorado or ability to obtain) and ability to meet CSU vehicle policy; willingness to travel and occasionally work irregular hours.

  • Physical ability to hike long distances over steep terrain at high elevations (up to ~12,000 ft) while carrying 35+ lbs in varied weather.

  • Foundational knowledge of forestry principles and field techniques; ability to follow prescriptions and technical guidance with attention to safety and quality.

  • Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and GIS/GPS tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Online or similar); effective communication and customer service skills.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team; reliable organization and recordkeeping skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with forestry, natural resources, fire ecology, watershed science, ecology, or a closely related field through education, coursework, training, internship, seasonal employment, or related experience.

  • Familiarity with field forestry practices such as forest inventory, boundary identification, cruising, timber marking, treatment layout, monitoring, and collecting field notes.

  • Familiarity with Western U.S. forest ecosystems, basic silviculture concepts, forest health, wildfire mitigation, and the role of fire in forest ecology.

  • Familiarity with GIS/GPS tools, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, mobile data collection applications, or similar mapping and field data systems.

  • Familiarity, coursework, training, internship, or related experience supporting grants, cost-share programs, project documentation, estimates, contractor coordination, or project tracking.

  • Experience communicating with landowners, community members, agency partners, contractors, students, or the public in a professional and customer-service-oriented manner.

  • Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality work, professionalism, teamwork, and reliable follow-through in field, office, academic, volunteer, internship, or employment settings.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position.

To help us better understand your location preferences during the screening process, in your cover letter, please identify the field office location(s) you are interested in working from by listing one or more of the following locations:

Field Office Locations:

  • Boulder

  • Fort Collins

  • Franktown

  • Frisco

  • Golden

  • Canon City

  • La Veta

  • Rifle

  • Woodland Park

  • Alamosa

  • Durango

  • Gunnison

  • Montrose

  • Salida

  • Grand Junction

  • Granby

  • Steamboat Springs

  • Colorado State Forest (Gould)

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance,CSUis where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

  • Review our detailed benefits information here.

  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations,CSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.


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About Colorado State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is a higher education destination for working and learning for faculty, staff, and students from across Colorado, the nation, and around the globe. CSU has produced record enrollment in the past decade, built on all-time highs in student diversity and student success, experienced record fundraising and research expenditures that keep hitting new highs year-after-year, and our faculty are known nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research. Among other recognition for research and creative scholarship, CSU was recognized in 2022 as one of 10 top research institutions in the world contributing to solving the COVID pandemic. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than nine out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Collins, CO, US

Year founded

1870

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