Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all people to ensure that wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. The National Wildlife Federation believes that in order to save wildlife and ourselves, we need to ensure that all people have access to clean air and water, safe communities, easy and equitable access to nature, and protection from the ravages of climate change.

To support our mission, National Wildlife Federation’s Education & Engagement Team seeks an intern who will work with the Georgia Education & Engagement Manager on Eco-Schools USA and Earth Tomorrow program. The intern will work closely with the manager to prepare content associated with virtual and in-person teacher workshops, create a digital book, organize Education & Engagement photo resources, and maintain social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This will include, but is not limited to:

• Meeting with Education and Philanthropy staff.
• Researching Eco-Schools and Earth Tomorrow campuses and organizing photos archive.
• Assisting with administrative tasks such as printing, organizing supplies, compiling program binders, and creating professional development certificates, etc.
• Providing support at in-person events and workshops.
• Posting original and reposted content on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Background

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Education & Engagement Programs provide a continuum of learning for both schools and communities. In our efforts to guide the public to make sustainable choices we strive to increase and encourage nature and outdoor activity, educate youth about the environment and the role they can play in protecting it, encourage the next generation of environmental leaders, and provide the general public with opportunities to connect with nature and feel empowered to make a difference for wildlife in the communities in which they live.

An intern with NWF will gain experience in education outreach and communications including logistics and content support for in-person and virtual workshops, organizing records and capturing stories to share with funders and the general public, writing social media content for public audiences, and networking with sustainability-minded colleagues and partners. There will also be opportunities to participate in Equity and Justice competency trainings, activities and celebrations.

The NWF Education & Engagement Intern’s work will be focused around Eco-Schools USA and the Earth Tomorrow programs.

The Earth Tomorrow program is designed to help BIPOC Georgia teenagers become aware of environmental issues confronting their communities, provide them with skills in needs assessment and project planning, and hone their leadership abilities to undertake student-led community action projects. Our mission is to develop lifelong habits of environmental stewardship and community service. The program cultivates this new generation of lifetime stewards through a year-long cycle of leadership training, issues exploration, civic engagement, career development, community outreach and education, and student-led community action projects for urban and rural teens.

Eco-Schools USA sparks action at PK-12 schools that ripples out into the greater community and helps to develop generation after generation of sustainably minded, environmentally conscious people. Developed in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Eco-Schools is the largest international sustainable schools program, spanning nearly 70 countries and reaching more than 50,000 schools worldwide. The National Wildlife Federation has been the U.S. host of the program since 2008.

In this role you will:

• Provide logistical and content support during in-person and/or virtual Eco-Schools USA
• Maintain and organize existing digital photo archive
• Research and create a record of past and current Eco-schools
• Assist with administrative tasks such as printing, organizing supplies, compiling program binders and creating flyers, photo collages, and professional development certificates
• Increase team’s social media presence through posting or re-posting original, thematic content from NWF and reposting/interacting with regionally relevant accounts
• Provide content for blogs and activities, as interests and background experience allow

The ideal candidate will have:

• General understanding of conservation and the value of wildlife
• Passion, creativity, and curiosity about nature and science education/communication
• Experience working with a diverse audience (our programs serves ages Pre-K to adults)
• 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 15-20 work hours per week
• Willingness to use personal mobile device (for social media posts)
• Willingness to work weekend hours when needed
• Ability to lift at least 30-40lbs

Skills and qualifications desired but not required:

• Experience with photography and videography that tells a story
• Experience with Community (citizen) science
• Native Georgia plant and insect knowledge
• Experience with event planning (virtually or in person)
• Experience with AirTable, Canva, Dropbox, Instagram Insights, Microsoft Office and Zoom
• Willingness to use personal vehicle for travel to sites to take photographs, such as natural spaces, school 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;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in communications;
• Actively seeking feedback, direction, and guidance;
• Being dedicated to 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

COVID Consideration:

The National Wildlife Federation closely follows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease and has implemented processes that promote the safety of our employees, candidates, and communities. Proof of vaccination will be required for employment at the National Wildlife Federation.

Location and Work Mode:

This position is based out of our South Central Regional Center in Atlanta, GA. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This position is classified as fully office based.

Compensation

This position pays $17 an hour with paid holidays.

The Education & Engagement Intern should be able to commit to a minimum of 15 work hours/week (max 19 hours) from May through August 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 must submit a resume and cover letter.

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.