Outreach and Communications Advocate

Outreach and Communications Advocate
Internship Announcement

Position Summary: The Outreach and Communications Advocate would contribute to the general outreach engagement efforts of Audubon Alaska—a program of National Audubon Society.

They will develop, coordinate, and assist with a variety of campaigns for state programs, implementing a range of tactics including but not limited to public outreach, community events, internal strategies and reports, and, if applicable social media and blogs/articles. This position will contribute to raising awareness of Audubon Alaska’s programs, conservation priorities, and voice through a variety of methods including but not limited to community events like Anchorage-based bird walks and statewide bird festivals.

The goal of the assignment is to familiarize the intern with Audubon’s resources and conservation priorities and provide professional development, skills building, and leadership opportunities for students interested in conservation outreach, science, education, communications, and/or policy. We will also provide the opportunity for the intern to network with Audubon’s national network of advocates, educators, and policy teams.

This role reports to the Communications Manager and is based in Anchorage, Alaska, and located within Dena’ina Ełnena. The Outreach and Communications Advocate will also work directly with staff and partner organizations to support the efforts of Audubon Alaska to achieve our strategic goals. They will also work closely with Alaska Audubon Chapters and partner organizations to facilitate strong connections between and among chapters and Audubon Alaska staff to help further Audubon’s mission and goals.

We provide an open and friendly workplace with many opportunities for working with partners across our conservation, community, and advocacy networks. 

Essential Functions:

• Event Management: Oversee and implement planning and logistics for all Audubon Alaska events. Engage with community members across the state at community events to create awareness of Audubon Alaska’s conservation issues, empower advocates, and increase membership. Will work closely with the Communications Manager and the rest of the program team to provide support for events, including: 
  • Three bird walks. A candidate proficient in bird identification who could lead two to three guided bird walks in Anchorage would be preferred. 
  • Outreach and engagement support for Audubon’s summer events across the state, including travel to small communities for local science fairs, bird festivals, and the continued promotion of our Southeast Alaska Birding Trail. 
  • Communication support for events hosted by Audubon Alaska in the Anchorage area, including bird walks and the June LGBT/Pride Walk, plus events Audubon Alaska is participating in. 
• Organize events in the intern’s interest that intersects with one of our campaign areas. 
• Communications support: In coordination with the Communications Manager, implement communications strategies that will broaden Audubon’s visibility and reach, enhance development goals, and deepen the impact of our work.
  • Help communicate mission-driven issues to the general public through presentations, contributing writing to reports, blog posts, news articles, and/or social media. Develop creative methods for increasing engagement. 
  • Work with the media to help advance our campaigns, including opinion editorials, press releases, letters to the editor, and action campaign emails. Assist in securing local earned media for Audubon Alaska initiatives and other regional conservation priorities. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experienced communicator with excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to non-technical audiences. 
• A good “people person” and listener, with an interest in working in rural communities and with Indigenous Peoples communities. 
• Creative, effective at solving problems, and a strategic thinker with excellent judgment and discretion. 
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and throughout Alaska and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job demands. 
• Must be self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non-structured environment. Ability to work independently and in a virtual team environment at times. 
• Interested in Audubon’s mission and conservation goals. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Hootsuite, and Meltwater is a plus. 
• Educated on public lands and climate change issues in Alaska is a plus. 
• Experienced in conservation and/or wildlife biology with some exposure to avian ecology a plus. 
• Expertise in bird identification and leading bird or nature walks a plus. 

EEO Statement: Audubon Alaska is a federal contractor and an Equal Employment Opportunity (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion, and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

COVID Policy: All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.