Forest Community Outreach Intern

Internship Description:

This is a seasonal, part time position allocated for up to 19 hours a week for approximately 10 weeks, with opportunities for extension of the internship. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is looking for a student intern to garner interest among college students in the fields of forestry, prescribed fire, landowner outreach, and education. Under direct supervision from NWF, the Forestry Intern will get a wide range of experience in forestry outreach, longleaf pine restoration, and communications, while also assisting NWF in projects involving forestry and equity. The intern will assist NWF and University staff in:

• Connecting University students to opportunities, clubs, outreach events involving longleaf pine restoration, prescribed fire, and forestry and wildlife fields.
• Documenting and developing communications for a forest project to restore and manage longleaf pine
• Assist NWF and University staff to organize, promote, and host educational opportunities for landowners, students, extension agents and university partners.

About the National Wildlife Federation:

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The Federation's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Forest Community Outreach Intern to join our Southeast Forestry Private Lands Program within NWF’s South Central Region. The Southeast Private Lands Forestry Program works to balance the ecological and economic needs of private landowners in the Southeast with an emphasis on landscapes that benefit high-quality wildlife habitat, such as longleaf pine. In the past two years, we have expanded the work to build a more inclusive and equitable community of landowners, professionals and students. This has been done by addressing barriers and developing projects to assist underserved landowners, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and professionals in the field.

In this role, you will:

• Help foster and further implement positive change in Southeast forestry practices with an emphasis on longleaf pine restoration among students of color.
• Support the mission and goals of the Longleaf for All working group (associated with America’s Longleaf) by engaging and participating in meetings and developing communications for the group.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver communications materials including: social media, blogs, presentations, and newsletters.
• Work cooperatively with other colleges, conservation organizations, agencies, and landowners that support and promote Longleaf for All initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a university student with a preference for a second-third year student.
• Strong equity and justice competencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in a variety of computer platforms and software (i.e., word processing, spreadsheet applications) that aid in completing the job requirements listed above.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others, including advancing robust partnership efforts.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, coordinate events, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to operate independently on a subject or task, knowing when to ask for help, and ensuring timely completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex topics to external audiences. Excellent interpersonal skills.

The ideal candidate will have:

• General understanding of forestry, agriculture, and conservation
• Strong connections, relationships and networks among university student body and staff
• Passion, creativity, and curiosity about nature and science education/communication
• Experience working with a diverse audience
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision on assigned tasks
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and to work well in a collaborative environment
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to commit to 15-19 work hours per week
• Willingness to use personal mobile device (for social media posts)

Skills and qualifications desired but not required:

• Experience with photography and videography that tells a story
• Experience with Community (citizen) science
• Longleaf pine and prescribed fire knowledge
• Experience with event planning/promotion (virtually or in person)
• Willingness to use personal vehicle for travel to sites to take photographs, such as forests, outreach and community events
• Willingness and ability to spend time outdoors at events
• Demonstrated competency or proficiency in the application of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.  Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Location and Work Mode: 

This position will report remotely to our South Central Regional Center, with opportunities for in-person meetings. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

Compensation 

This position pays $17 an hour with paid holidays. 

The Forest Community Outreach Intern should be able to commit to a minimum of 10 work hours/week (max 19 hours) during the summer of 2023.

This is a paid short-term internship opportunity with the National Wildlife Federation. NWF is happy to work with the applicant to obtain relevant credit(s) through college/university programming, such as directed independent study (DIS), internship credit hours, etc. Applicant should indicate if they intend to pursue this in application letter. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate your class schedule.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules.  Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.