Communications and Marketing 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. 

For 15 years, the Choose Clean Water Coalition has coordinated policy, advocacy, and messaging that advances the goals of the Chesapeake Bay restoration community. Reporting to the Choose Clean Water Coalition’s Communications Director, the Communications and Marketing Intern will provide communications support to the Coalition and help advance the communications capacity of Coalition members. A part-time paid internship, this is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in gaining work experience in nonprofit communications and outreach. The internship will also provide significant professional development opportunities.

This position is located in NWF’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center in Annapolis, Maryland. This is a remote position; however, we will give preference to candidates who can work in the Annapolis office at least 2-3 days a month. This position is for 19 hours a week for eleven months.

Primary Responsibilities 

The Communications and Marketing Intern will work directly with the Communications Director to complete the following objectives: 

• Support the management of the Coalition’s social media platforms and execute in accordance with the Choose Clean Water Coalition’s social media strategy.
• Assist with the creation and distribution of monthly e-newsletter to Coalition members.
• Contribute to the production and execution of the Coalition’s store product development and marketing.
• Help update and manage the Coalition website and blog.
• Assist in the writing and production of the Coalition’s 2025 Annual Report.
• Identify a specific ‘capstone’ project that supports the Intern’s interests and goals in coordination with the Communications Director.
• Support the creation of new resources to help Coalition members communicate more effectively around issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Assist with the development of communications resources to improve the communications capacity of Coalition member organizations.
• Assist in the development of resources for strategic communications campaigns of the Coalition.
• Support Coalition members in their communication needs by providing feedback and support for campaigns as needed.
• Provide additional support as needed to the Coalition workgroups, Coalition Director, Policy Specialist, and Equity and Outreach Specialist.

The Coalition’s Communications and Marketing Intern will gain: 

• New nonprofit communications and marketing skills, including but not limited to social media, branding, and email.
• Connections with the Coalition’s membership of more than 300 nonprofit organizations, providing ample opportunity for building their network for future employment opportunities.
• Skills necessary to navigate working in the nonprofit sector.
• Knowledge about the issues facing the Chesapeake Bay and how nonprofits in the watershed are working together to advance clean water goals.
• Increased understanding of the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice through discussions, presentations, and trainings, and methods to operationalize these principles within our organizations.
• A portfolio of work for their resume for future employment opportunities, including their final capstone.

Minimum Qualifications and Core Competencies 

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, including strong copy-editing skills and attention to detail. 
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate positions and build public awareness.
• Experience with software for design, photo editing, video editing, and web publishing.
• Experience with social media platforms and knowledge of social media trends.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad base of Coalition groups and people from diverse backgrounds.

Desired, but Not Required, Experience and Skills 

• Photography and videography experience.
• Experience in a mission-driven non-profit organization.
• Experience planning and coordinating events.
• Passion for environmental protection and knowledge of threats to clean water.

 NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.  Your competencies should include:

•  Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
•  Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
•  Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
•  Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
•  Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
•  Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Travel Requirements:

Up to two days per month throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia).

Location and Work Mode:

This position will be based in Annapolis, MD. 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 19 hours a week with paid holidays 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. Applicants should indicate if they intend to pursue this 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 cover letter, resume, and 1-2 page writing sample.

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

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

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.