BR-2309 Conservation Technology Research Graduate Intern
Overview
WWF Overview
For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.
Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.
Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.
BRIDGE – Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence
WWF’s diversity-focused internship program, BRIDGE, aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.
Position Summary
Working with the WILDLABS conservation technology partnership, hosted by the Wildlife Conservation team, this intern will support a long-term global research program evaluating how novel technologies are being leveraged for biodiversity conservation. The primary responsibility of the role will be analyzing multi-year global survey data to assess trends in challenges, opportunities, and future directions of conservation technology applications. They will also support translating results into recommendations to inform technology engagement strategies for WWF, WILDLABS, and our partners, as well as determining future directions for this research program. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience with mixed methods social science research, familiarity with the current state of conservation technology, and exposure to some of the most innovative global conservation programs at WILDLABS and WWF.
Responsibilities
Internship Description:
The intern’s role will include, but is not limited to:
- Leading the cleaning and analysis of three years of global survey data on the state of conservation technology, including data specific to WWF and our other partner organizations (this will include quantitative analyses as well as qualitative coding of open-ended responses).
- Develop publication and outreach materials based on results reporting on trends over time and highlighting take-aways to inform engagement in the sector – this may result in a public report or academic publication.
- Participate in internal and external workshops evaluating future directions and opportunities for the state of conservation technology research program.
- Support feeding survey results into the development and design of an interactive open data portal capturing the evolving state of the field.
- Create and share content relating to the research on the WILDLABS platform and social channels throughout internship.
- Support WILDLABS community engagement and projects as needed.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date.
- Pursuing a non-doctoral Graduate program in ecology/conservation, engineering, conservation technology, or a related field. Those studying outside these fields are still highly encouraged to apply.
- Be highly organized, have excellent research and communication skills, and have some grounding in conservation and/or technology development.
- Innovative, adaptive, and resourceful thinker.
- Strong data management, analysis and writing skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage time.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise across teams and cultures.
- Flexibility to accommodate needs of an international team working across time zones.
- Excellent research skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Organized and self-motivated.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
- Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
- Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
- Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
- Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Basic analysis skills in R/RStudio.
- Experience analyzing mixed-methods social science data.
- Data visualization and graphic/web design.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyzing and reporting on novel longitudinal data of critical importance to the emerging field of conservation technology.
- Building skills and experience in mixed methods social science research covering diverse topics, data types, and analysis approaches.
- Developing a broad understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities in leveraging technology for biodiversity conservation.
- Developing and distributing clear and insightful research insights through publications, workshops, and internal projects.
- Engagement with a global community of innovative experts and opportunity to leverage the WILDLABS platform for professional development and networking.
- Collaboration with others across disciplines, teams, and major international conservation organizations.
- Firsthand exposure and experience to wildlife programs and global conservation technology research in one of the world’s leading conservation NGOs.
WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:
- Development discussions with their manager;
- Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
- Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
- Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
- Session on resume and interviewing best practices.
Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.
Location:
US-Remote: WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming.
Compensation:
Paid - $21 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)
Internship Dates:
Internship will run from June 5, 2023 to August 11, 2023
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers page, Requisition# BR-2309. In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.
If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.
* Please note that intern must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.
WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.