MountainTrue’s staff care deeply about our environment and the communities of the Southern Blue Ridge. As a team, we’re committed to hard work but also having fun with each other. Accountability, camaraderie, and fidelity to our Guiding Principles: this is what makes MountainTrue a wonderful place to work.
MountainTrue is committed to the principles of equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination. We do not discriminate against individuals, communities, or organizations on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or physical/mental disability.
We recognize and honor diverse cultures and traditions and proactively seek individuals for all aspects of our work from varied backgrounds for the greater enrichment of the organization. To address structural bias, MountainTrue intentionally invests in diverse leadership within our programs, staff, board, volunteer base, and membership.
We are committed to a proactive and strategic equity approach at an institutional and societal level. We understand this work to be an ongoing learning journey as we build an understanding of how structural differences in power impact and inform the work we do in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Our board and staff work together to continually build our analysis and invest in capacity-building opportunities (e.g., workshops) that can deepen and inform our commitment to fostering equity through our work
Click any of the openings below to see job descriptions and application instructions:
FLSA Status: Part Time – Non-exempt / Hourly
Compensation: $10 per hour – eligible for overtime
Reports to: Southwest Regional Director
Direct Reports: No one
Typical Schedule: Approximately 12.5 hours per week for 12 weeks. Ideally Tuesdays through Thursdays, but schedules are flexible to meet the needs of projects. Workdays may be cancelled due to adverse weather or water conditions.
Duration of Employment: May 18, 2026 through early August 2026
Successful applicants must reside within a 50-mile radius of Murphy, NC for the duration of the internship
Overview
MountainTrue’s Southwestern Office is located in Murphy, NC, and covers six counties in Southwestern North Carolina and two counties in North Georgia. This paid internship is within MountainTrue’s Clean Water program.
Position summary
The Southwest Office Summer Water Quality Intern’s primary responsibilities will be to assist with collection and analysis of weekly E.coli samples for our Swim Guide monitoring program and to manage the microplastics sampling program in the Hiwassee River basin. This work involves traveling around a 4-county area, collecting water quality samples, interacting with volunteers, and conducting lab analyses.
Another major focus of the internship is to assist with distribution of supplies and recertification workshops for the long-established volunteer water quality monitoring program in the Hiwassee River watershed (Cherokee & Clay counties in NC and Towns & Union counties in GA). And helping plan a summertime social event for all water program volunteers.
Other responsibilities may include sampling natural drinking water sources and helping with educational events related to water quality in rivers, lakes and streams.
Eligibility:
Desired skills:
Work Environment: Work is completed in both a typical, climate-controlled office setting as well as out in the field. Must be comfortable collecting water samples by wading into rivers and lakes. Work may be accomplished in a variety of weather conditions (such as extreme heat and humidity, inclement weather, and the like). Must be comfortable sitting, standing, walking, navigating uneven terrain, and driving for extended periods of time.
Application deadline: March 27, 2026
Internship overview & position summary:
French Broad Water Quality Interns will assist our water team with a variety of tasks needed to help improve ecosystem health within the French Broad River Basin. We’ll teach on-the-job skills — prior experience is not necessary but is helpful. Examples of tasks include, but are not limited to the following:
Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Flexible start date: May 2026
Flexible end date: Late July or early August 2026
Work schedule: Approximately 15-20 hours per week
Compensation: Mileage will be reimbursed at $0.725 per mile
Location: This position will work with staff in our Asheville office. The samples will be collected throughout the French Broad Watershed.
How to apply: Apply here. Including a resume or cover letter is optional.
Internship overview & position summary:
The Healthy Communities intern will work with Chris Joyell, Healthy Communities Director, to research issues involving housing, transportation, land use controls and health, and assist in engaging communities in designing their future. Our work is rooted in the principles of Smart Growth, and we encourage prospective interns to familiarize themselves with these principles prior to engaging with us. A background in design and/or planning is preferred, but students studying health, environmental management, geography/GIS, and economics have also found their niche in our program.
Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Flexible start date: May 2026
Flexible end date: Early June 2026
Work schedule: Approximately 10-40 hours per week.
Compensation: Mileage reimbursed at approximately $0.725 per mile
Location: This position will work with staff in either our Asheville or Hendersonville offices, and much of the work can frequently be done remotely.
How to apply: Apply here. Please answer the following questions in your cover letter and attach that document when
submitting your application form:
Including a resume is optional.
