Founded in 1974, Oregon Wild is a non-profit conservation organization that works to protect and restore the wildlands, wildlife, and waters that make our state such a special place. Our major campaign areas include Wilderness and forest protection, and protection and restoration of native fish and wildlife, and Oregon’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Oregon Wild has a limited number of unpaid internship opportunities. These internships offer participants an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a conservation advocacy organization while also supporting the mission of Oregon Wild.

General Responsibilities:

Oregon Wild’s Eugene office is offering a summer internship assisting with community outreach and events in the Eugene area. Oregon Wild seeks to engage outdoor and public lands lovers, and forest and wildlife advocates to help us advance our mission. We offer hikes, organize educational presentations and workshops, and participate in community events to reach diverse audiences and recruit them to help us advance our mission.

This internship will focus on developing community outreach, event organizing, and advocacy skills in the context of public lands, forest, and watershed conservation. The intern will work with Oregon Wild staff to plan and implement outreach and conservation program events, advocacy trainings, and outdoor experiences with an emphasis on attracting new participants from diverse backgrounds.

The intern will represent Oregon Wild in the community to advance understanding of our work and build support for campaigns.  Examples include tabling and organizing volunteers at community events, developing outreach materials and displays, assisting Oregon Wild staff with events, distributing newsletters, and contributing content to the Oregon Wild website. The intern will also work with partners in the Oregon Brewshed Alliance to plan events and educate brewery employees and patrons about the importance of forest and watershed health.

Qualifications:

Candidates for this position should have a demonstrated interest and some experience in the types of issues and tasks in the internship description. The candidate must be able to take direction and work with a team, but also be able to take initiative, work independently, and be self-directed. The candidate should be able to enthusiastically and effectively advocate for Oregon Wild’s mission and core programs and should possess solid written and verbal communication skills.

The ideal candidate is:

• Comfortable using common computer and web-based programs and applications.
• Comfortable talking to people of diverse backgrounds and opinions.
• Detail oriented.
• Experienced in event planning.
• Familiar with Eugene non-profit, business, and campus communities.
• Competent in speaking a language other than English.

Interns should have access to their own laptop computer.

The experience and knowledge gained through this internship will be especially relevant to students studying in the areas of environmental studies, environmental science, outdoor recreation, advocacy, and political science, as well as for non-students looking to pursue a career in conservation or gain experience in community outreach and environmental advocacy.

Equal Opportunity:

To better fulfill Oregon Wild's mission to protect and restore Oregon's wildlands, wildlife, and waters for future generations, we are striving to weave enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of our planning and everyday work. Just as Oregon’s landscapes thrive when biodiversity is protected, we will thrive by honoring and leveraging human diversity. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applicants of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class under state and/or federal law to apply.

Compensation:
This internship is unpaid, however, it may be tailored to meet requirements for academic credit. 

Work Schedule:
10-20 hours per week, flexible schedule for 12-16 weeks between April and September. 

Work Environment:
The internship is based in Oregon Wild’s Eugene office at 1238 Lincoln Street. There are three Oregon Wild staff in this office. This position’s supervisor is Chandra LeGue, Western Oregon Field Coordinator, but will also work closely with other staff. Much of the work will be done in the office, but some will be at community events or outdoors. Dress is casual but neat. 

To Apply:
E-mail your contact information along with a short cover letter (max. 1 page), resume, availability (dates & hours/week), and two references. Please send with the subject line “Eugene Outreach Intern” by April 15 to:

Chandra LeGue
[email protected]