NPS Climate Change Communication Graphic Design or Videography Intern

MULTIMEDIA (graphic designer and/or videographer) INTERN ANNOUNCEMENT: 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT 

 

NPS Climate Change Communication Multimedia Paid Internship in the Washington D.C. metro area, Summer 2021

 

Do you love the outdoors? Are you passionate about climate change activism? Are you looking for a unique opportunity to apply your multimedia skills to science communication? Do you want to work for the NPS and creatively explore those interests? If so, then this internship is the perfect fit for you!  

 

This position pays a minimum of $350 per week on a biweekly pay schedule. 

 

Deadline: Friday, January 15th, 2021 

 

 

Description 

 

This internship is a partnership between the National Park Service and George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication. The National Park Service (NPS) works to protect and preserve America's cultural and natural resources, presenting the opportunity to observe changes caused by global warming. The National Capital Region (NCR) of the NPS spans across areas of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. and is home to national monuments, battlefields, and diverse natural landscapes. George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication (4C) researches climate change public engagement strategies. The partnership between NPS and 4C creates a unique platform to educate and engage park visitors with climate change impacts and solutions.  

 

Up to ten interns (including three multimedia interns) will have the opportunity to work with 4C, the NPS, park staff, and the NPS’s Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance to develop climate change communication materials for National Capital Region Parks (greater Washington, D.C. area). In the past, the products developed during the internship have ranged from interpretive resources for park rangers to videos to digital and print brochures and maps.  

Summaries of previous year’s projects can be found at http://climatechangecommunication.org/internship_program/ 

 

Qualifications 

The 12-week internships are open to master’s students, exceptional rising junior and senior undergraduate students, or recent graduates. Multimedia interns will support four to eight interdisciplinary interns, who have backgrounds in a combination of biology, environmental science, sustainability, natural resources, sociology, communication, psychology, etc. Multimedia interns will be the summer program’s graphic designers and videographers. Ideal applicants will have a strong interest in National Parks and a positive attitude and interest in learning, thinking creatively, and working as a member of an interdisciplinary communication team. Applicants must be attending (or have just graduated from) a U.S. accredited college or university and must be legally allowed to work in the U.S. Interns may be required to pass a Federal government background check. 

 

Graphic designers will work with interdisciplinary interns to develop graphics/illustrations, icons, and infographics that tell national park climate stories. Interns will be responsible for uploading content (photos, graphics and text) into the NPS content management system, so familiarity with dreamweaver or WordPress, HTML, or CSS is a plus. Additionally, familiarity with video production and editing is a plus.  

 

Videographers will be responsible for producing short videos and working with supervisors as a film director. Videographers will collaborate with interdisciplinary interns during the video development phase to create a video treatment or storyboard which will be approved by NPS staff. Interdisciplinary interns will assist the videographer during video production. Videographer applicants must be able to independently complete post-production, including captioning and audio-describing. This summer program is designed for interns to apply their skills and develop their portfolios, rather than receive instruction in new skills. Please note interns will have access to NPS communications staff who can assist with questions regarding NPS policy compliance and procedure. 

 

Please indicate in your resume and cover letter your knowledge, skills, abilities, and interest in the following: 

● Communication, such as interpretation, public outreach, journalism, or marketing. 

● Interest in learning more about local climate impacts, NPS and environmental communication 

● Interdisciplinary collaboration, working with clients and meeting client needs in an articulate, professional demeanor 

● Experience with representing organizations on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

 

For Graphic Designers: 

● Advanced computer skills and strong capabilities in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) 

 

For Videographers: 

● Advanced video production skills and strong capabilities in software such as 

Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Intern will provide own access to needed software. Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) is a plus. 

 

Expectations include: 

● Ability to execute tasks in a timely manner and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously 

● Strong creativity skills and ability to generate new ideas 

● Proven ability to develop effective communication products with minimal editing and strong attention to detail 

● Familiarity with cloud-based computing, collaborative document editing, and diligence in updating task lists on productivity software 

 

For Graphic Designers: 

● Strong experience in graphic design and photography, both web and print. Ability to develop graphics/illustrations, icons and infographics. Intern is required to provide own access to Adobe Creative Suite. 

 

For Videographers: 

● Strong experience in video development, production, and distribution; familiarity with photography. 

● Proven ability to develop effective short videos (< 3 min) that can be delivered to clients in less than 10 weeks and strong attention to detail. 

 

Interns must be attending (or have just graduated from) a U.S. accredited college or university and must be legally allowed to work in the U.S. Interns may be required to pass a Federal government background check. 

 

Dates, Duration, and Location 

Internships are full time (40 hours per week) for 12 weeks, Tuesday, June 1st through Friday, August 6th. All work will take place in the Washington, DC metro area OR will be done remotely depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final tentative two weeks (with same biweekly pay) can be completed remotely. Housing is not provided. Having a personal vehicle is recommended and ideal for traveling to National Parks but not required, as interns are strongly encouraged to carpool to park sites. 

 

How to Apply 

Applicants should submit the following materials (combined as ONE PDF file with applicant’s name as the file name) to nps4c@gmu.edu with “NPS4C - [Applicant Name]” as the subject line: 

(1) Resume or CV 

(2) Undergraduate and/or graduate transcript (unofficial is acceptable) 

(3) One page cover letter discussing your specific interest in the internship and highlighting your qualifications and multimedia experience. 

(4) At least two references with: 

a.  name, 

b.  contact information, and 

c.  nature of the relationship (e.g., professor, employer) 

*Letters of recommendation are not required

(5) A selection of projects from your portfolio to demonstrate previous work 

 

Please note: Only COMPLETE applications will be reviewed. 

 

Inquiries regarding this internship may be directed to nps4c@gmu.edu 

 

Deadline for completed applications: Friday, January 15th, 2021 

 

Diversity 

The NPS and 4C seek a diverse cohort of interns. Applicants with diverse backgrounds from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.