Manatee Outreach Intern

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 53 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

The Gulf Program of the National Wildlife Federation seeks a part time Manatee Outreach Intern to help implement “Manatees and Meadows”, a wildlife conservation project that educates boaters, coastal residents, and visitors about manatees and their primary habitat and food source: seagrass. Manatees are being spotted with increasing frequency in Pensacola and Perdido Bays (PPB); this project aims to build awareness about manatees, their habitat, how to protect them, and how to report sightings.

The primary responsibilities of the Manatee Outreach Intern will be to coordinate and implement a manatee outreach program in PPB, working with a team of trained volunteers, to provide audience-specific messaging to three targeted groups:

• Boaters will learn how to protect manatees and seagrasses (via outreach at Boat Ramps)
• Coastal residents and visitors will learn how to report manatee sightings (via outreach to Neighborhood Associations, Property Managers, Condo Associations, Rental Properties, etc.)
• Anglers and guest at Public Fishing Piers will also receive information on reporting manatee sightings

This position will report to the Senior Specialist, Wildlife Policy, based in Florida.

Job Duties:

• Assist Senior Specialist with recruiting and training volunteers to conduct outreach
• Responsible for scheduling volunteers to conduct outreach at boat ramps in PPB area (min of one boat ramp per weekend)
• Distribute audience-specific outreach materials
• Assist with developing content for manatee sighting website: panhandlemanatee.org
• Provide content for social media, blogs and other venues to promote manatee sighting website.
• Other duties as assigned by Senior Specialist

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate institution and completed at least 2 years of college education, or recent graduate, in a related field of study (biology, marine science, environmental policy, science education, communication, or similar fields)
• Have general understanding of conservation and the value of wildlife
• Able to speak clearly and comfortably with diverse audiences (boaters, anglers, general public, home owners, property managers)
• Able to spend 4 -6 hours outside in “Florida summer conditions”, with considerable time standing, walking, and speaking.
• Willing to work a minimum of 20-30 hours/week (including one weekend day) during the summer (school not in session) and 10-20 hours/week (including one weekend day) during the fall (school in session)
• Comfortable coordinating and supervising peers, as well as volunteers who may be older or younger
• Organized, self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision
• Possess good verbal and written communication skills, and comfortable using standard computer programs, communication devices, and social media platforms
• Reliable and professional
• Willingness to use personal vehicle for travel to sites to conduct outreach with target audience
• Following all local and NWF COVID safety protocols

Preferred Experience/Knowledge

It is preferred that individuals applying for this internship position also have experience and knowledge related to:

• Local PPB area and waterways
• Marine life, especially manatees and seagrass
• Coordinating, scheduling, and supervising others

Service Term (approximate):

Start Date: July 1, 2021. The internship will last 10 - 15 weeks, with 20-30 hours per week. We anticipate more hours over Summer Break and fewer in the fall. At least 1 weekend day PER WEEK is required.

Compensation: $17.00/hour 

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.

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. 

If you have a disability and require an accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help by calling us at 703-438-6244.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply.  Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translates directly to our openings.  Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume as soon as possible. Applications will close once a qualified candidate has been identified or June 1, whichever comes first.

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

www.nwf.org