Conservation Intern

The Wilderness Society seeks a Conservation Intern to support our efforts to protect and conserve ancient, old-growth forests in the North Cascades of Washington State. The position’s main objective is to assist with stakeholder research and outreach. 

The Intern will gain firsthand knowledge of how public lands campaigns work and the elements needed for success. Specifically, they will learn how to work with diverse stakeholders, such as recreationists and rural community leaders, and sovereign tribal nations in the North Cascades to find and advance enduring protection and management solutions for public lands. They will also have an opportunity to learn from TWS policy, communications, government relations, and campaign experts about our work in the region and the skills and experiences most relevant for public lands advocacy work. 

This position plays an important role in supporting an inclusive organizational culture that is grounded in trust and accountability to shared goals and outcomes. TWS has made diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities for the organization and the Conservation Intern will integrate these priorities throughout our work. Across our team, we aspire to be campaign oriented, nimble, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

· Provide primary research and coordination support for outreach to tribes and stakeholders in the North Cascades region; 

· Research climate and public land management issues in the North Cascades region; 

· Participate in and assist in the coordination of meetings and field tours with partners, stakeholders, federal agency representatives, congressional staff, and members of Congress pertaining to protection and management of North Cascades public lands; and 

· Assist in writing program updates and issue briefs or memos. 

QUALIFICATIONS
Experience, Competencies, and Education 

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

· Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders 

· Strong research and analysis skills 

· Ability to coordinate and provide logistical support for meetings and events 

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Desired Characteristics 

The ideal candidate will have: 

· Background in natural resources and/or public lands issues 

· Experience working with diverse stakeholders across lines of difference 

· Experience conducting database research 

 As an organization, we aspire to be inclusive in the work that we do, and in the kind of organization we are. Internally, this means working as a team that listens to different points of view, recognizes the contributions of every employee and empowers each employee to bring their whole selves to work every day. Externally, this means ensuring that public lands are inclusive and welcoming, so that our shared wildlands can help people and nature to thrive. We are committed to equity throughout our work, which we define as our commitment to realizing the promise of our public lands and ensuring that all can share in their universal benefits. 

To learn more about our commitment, please see http://wilderness.org/our-commitment-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-wilderness-society