This opportunity is limited to Fort Valley State University (FVSU) students. For more information on our other opportunities, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) 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 Prescribed Burning Collegiate 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.
We are seeking a student with the ability to commit to 6-10 work hours per week for 12 weeks.
Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):
The National Wildlife Federation is seeking a motivated and passionate college student in Georgia to assist NWF and Fort Valley State University (FVSU) staff in a longleaf pine management project and garner interest among college students in the fields of forestry and prescribed fire. NWF and FVSU are partnering together to restore approximately 90 acres of FVSU property to longleaf pine and conduct management and training activities. We are looking for an intern to assist NWF in the documentation and facilitation of this project. Under direct supervision from NWF, the intern will help establish a prescribed burning collegiate club/association/group. This group will focus on promoting the use of prescribed fire as a land management tool to enhance wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, and foster ecological health. Specifically, the intern will assist NWF and University staff in:
- Working with FVSU staff and/or advisor to establish official collegiate club
- Developing a Charter and Timeline for the Club
- Documenting and developing resources for the club
- Connecting with additional colleges, clubs, and students within the longleaf pine range to collaborate and provide opportunities for cross-engagement
- Connecting FVSU students to opportunities, clubs, outreach events involving longleaf pine restoration, prescribed fire, and forestry fields
- Assist NWF and University staff to organize, promote, and host educational opportunities for students and university partners about forest restoration activities
In this role you will:
- Group Formation: Lead efforts to create and organize a prescribed burning group on your campus or in collaboration with nearby colleges
- Outreach and Recruitment: Develop strategies to recruit and engage students interested in conservation, forestry, and fire management
- Partnership Building: Work with local fire management agencies, university departments, and conservation organizations to establish partnerships and support for the group
- Event Planning: Plan and coordinate educational workshops, training sessions, and prescribed burn demonstrations
- Awareness Campaigns: Promote the benefits of prescribed burning through social media, campus events, and other outreach activities
- Documentation and Reporting: Maintain records of group activities, member participation, and progress towards goals and provide regular updates to the National Wildlife Federation
Qualifications:
- An undergraduate or graduate student at Fort Valley State University
- Passion for wildlife conservation, land management, and fire ecology
- Strong connections, relationships, and networks among university student body and staff
- Self-motivated and extremely organized, comfortable with developing and building relationships
- Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, coordinate events, and meet deadlines
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision on assigned tasks
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to commit to 6-10 work hours per week, with additional hours provided upon request/need
- Willingness to use personal mobile device (for social media, GroupMe, etc.)
- Willingness to use personal vehicle for travel to FVSU site, and potentially additional forest sites within South Georgia
- Willingness and ability to spend time outdoors at events
- Previous experience with prescribed burning or fire management is not required but a plus
- Experience with event planning/promotion (virtually or in person) is not required but a plus
What you can expect:
- Gain hands-on experience in conservation and land management
- Develop leadership and project management skills
- Network with professionals in the field of conservation and fire management
- Receive mentorship and support from NWF staff
- Potential to earn academic credit (subject to your institution's approval)
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 policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
- 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.
Travel Requirements:
Regularly visit FVSU forest restoration site on campus as well as events in South Georgia, with additional state travel (to Alabama and Florida) optional.
Location and Work Mode:
This position will be based in our South Central Regional Center, with in-person meetings and events at and around Fort Valley State University’s campus. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work remotely with in-field and on-campus activities. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
Physical Requirements of the Job:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Applicants should be in good physical condition and comfortable walking long distances on uneven and rugged terrain while carrying heavy equipment (up to 50 pounds) for prolonged periods; have the capacity to work extended hours in various weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold; competence in using hand tools (e.g. shovels, rakes, hoes) and power tools (e.g. chainsaws); ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch frequently during the workday; capability to quickly respond and maneuver in emergency situations; good distance vision and peripheral vision to monitor fire behavior and hazards; ability to work in smoky conditions with potential exposure fumes; and use of respiratory protective equipment as required.
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Compensation:
This position pays $18.50 an hour with paid holidays.
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. Applicants should indicate if they intend to pursue this in their 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, resume, and two references.
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.