Internship Description
This intern will work directly with the Seattle outreach coordinator and other staff to assist with all outreach and organizing duties in Seattle and possibly additional western Washington communities. The intern will organize, execute, and attend community projects and outreach events and will additionally help with day-to-day office work. The internship will be split by 30% community outreach work, 30% web based communication and environmental policy research, and 40% event planning and office projects. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about Washington/British Columbia conservation issues, gain community organizing and campaign experience, conduct grassroots activism and participate in innovative campaigns to protect wild lands and quality of life in the Northwest. A main focus will be on providing the intern with a quality educational and hands-on experience that prepares and empowers him/her to be an effective advocate for the unique Northwest landscape and wildlife.
Conservation Northwest, Seattle Outreach/Policy Intern
About Conservation Northwest
Conservation Northwest connects and protects old-growth forests and large, intact wild areas from the Washington Coast to the BC Rockies to benefit people and wildlife. Since 1989 we have protected hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat around the state, linking the Washington Coast to the Cascades and the BC Rockies.
Today we are ensuring the region is wild enough to support wildlife, from wolves to grizzly bears to mountain caribou. We work with local communities on forest restoration, sustainable timber jobs, and wilderness protection. We help create safe passage and connectivity for wildlife, including those moving north and south across Interstate 90 in the Cascades, across the border with Canada, and east and west between the Cascades and the Selkirks range of the Rockies.
Conservation Northwest has recently made a renewed investment in engaging and activating our western Washington membership as well as creating additional organizational outreach opportunities and visibility in the Puget Sound region.
Internship Description
This intern will work directly with the Seattle outreach coordinator and other staff to assist with all outreach and organizing duties in Seattle and possibly additional western Washington communities. The intern will organize, execute, and attend community projects and outreach events and will additionally help with day-to-day office work. The internship will be split by 30% community outreach work, 30% web based communication and environmental policy research, and 40% event planning and office projects. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about Washington/British Columbia conservation issues, gain community organizing and campaign experience, conduct grassroots activism and participate in innovative campaigns to protect wild lands and quality of life in the Northwest. A main focus will be on providing the intern with a quality educational and hands-on experience that prepares and empowers him/her to be an effective advocate for the unique Northwest landscape and wildlife.
Responsibilities:
• Assist in web-based and social media advocacy for Conservation Northwest programs and campaigns
• Engage citizens in western Washington on conservation issues through public events, grassroots organizing techniques, and volunteer coordination
• Connect western Washington citizens and businesses to conservation campaigns through general outreach and event planning.
• Assist the outreach coordinator and volunteers with all organizing duties, including press events, turnout for events and hearings, and supervising volunteers and campaign activities as needed
• Help with database management, data entry, and other projects as needed
• Work closely with the Seattle outreach coordinator to create and implement fun and creative strategies to engage and activate Seattle residents in lands protection and wildlife issues.
Specific programs and campaigns intern will participate in:
Columbia Highlands Wilderness Initiative: http://www.conservationnw.org/columbiahighlands
Cascade Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project http://www.conservationnw.org/wildlife-habitat/wildlife-monitoring
I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition http://www.conservationnw.org/northcascades/i-90-wildlife-bridges
Washington State Wolf Management http://www.conservationnw.org/wildlife-habitat/gray-wolf
Term of Position: Flexible, but 2 to 3 month commitment preferred, June through August
Work Schedule: 15-20 hours/week (includes some weekends and evenings)
Compensation and Benefits: A stipend is available. Intern will be given the opportunity to work directly with Conservation Northwest staff to develop meaningful and tangible work experience.
Minimum Qualifications: The ideal candidate for this position is outgoing and enthusiastic about working with people, has excellent communication and problem solving skills, interest in leveraging social media for conservation goals, and most importantly, a passion for protecting the Northwest’s wild lands, wildlife, and quality of life. Students with majors in the areas of environmental studies, political science, liberal arts, geography, communications, marketing, biology, and forestry are encouraged to apply.
Specific background requirements requested include:
• Familiarity with leading volunteers and organizing on environmental issues are helpful
• Excellent organizational, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to multi-task and manage short and long-term deadlines
• Working knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; databases, a plus
• Capacity to effectively work with diverse individuals and constituencies
Special Requirements: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed. Have a valid Washington Driver’s License, and be able to possibly travel throughout western Washington, sometimes on short notice.
Physical Demands: Intern regularly walks, bends, stoops, and climbs stairs. Must be able to lift and carry tabling materials, packages, and supplies up to 35 pounds. Offices and buildings are totally smoke-free.
Email cover letter, resume, and three references to Kit McGurn, outreach coordinator, at kit@conservationnw.org. No phone calls please.
