Great Lakes Communications Intern

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.

We are seeking a motivated candidate to join our team as a Communications & Marketing Intern supporting Great Lakes conservation efforts. This internship provides hands-on experience in digital communications, nonprofit marketing, and supporter engagement, with mentorship and skill-building opportunities to support professional growth.

Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):

• Support social media management by creating and scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and assisting with digital campaigns.
• Assist in writing and designing content for newsletters, social media, and websites.
• Help with donor outreach tasks, such as drafting thank-you messages, compiling donor stories, and supporting fundraising communications.
• Update and maintain the website and blog with fresh and engaging content.
• Assist in the production of marketing materials for programs, events, and advocacy efforts.

What You’ll Gain

• Real-world experience in nonprofit communications, fundraising, and digital marketing.
• Mentorship and networking with professionals in the Great Lakes environmental sector.
• Portfolio-building work that strengthens job applications post-graduation.
• Exposure to Great Lakes conservation issues and advocacy efforts.
• Skills in social media strategy, email marketing, donor engagement, and storytelling.

Qualifications:

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills with attention to detail
• Familiarity with social media platforms (BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and content creation tools (Canva, Adobe, etc.).
• Ability to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Interest in environmental issues, communications or fundraising, and nonprofit work.

Preferred but Not Required

• Work-study eligibility.
• Experience with graphic design, photo/video editing, or web publishing.
• Photography or videography skills.

This internship is designed to be flexible and supportive, making it a great opportunity for students looking to build experience while contributing to meaningful environmental work.

Travel Requirements:

Travel is not required, but the intern may have opportunities to travel to events with GLRC staff if desired.

Location and Work Mode:

This position will be based in the Great Lakes Region. 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 and/or in the office, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. 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).

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 for 12-15 hours a week for eleven months.

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. Work Study may be available through your college/university. Applicants should indicate if they intend to pursue any of these arrangements in their application letter. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate your class schedule.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates must submit a resume, and 1-2 page writing sample and/or portfolio of digital work.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S

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.