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Federal Lands Policy Intern - Fall 2020 Remote

Defenders of Wildlife
Future Leaders Project Plan
 
Location: Remote
Department: Landscape Conservation
Session: Fall 2020
Software Required: Up to date computer and OS
Start Date: Early September 2020
End Date: ~ December 11 2020
Federal Lands Policy Intern
Application Deadline: August 16 2020

Overall Objective of the Position:
Defenders of Wildlife, a national nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities, seeks a Federal Lands Policy Intern to work with its Federal Lands Team. The Federal Lands Team strives to improve federal lands policy and management on behalf of imperiled wildlife and native ecosystems.
The Federal Lands Policy internship is an opportunity for a graduate or post-graduate student to work with Defenders staff at the interface of science and national conservation policy. The Federal Lands Policy Intern will assist senior policy staff with conducting research, analyzing data, developing white papers and fact sheets, and making policy recommendations. The Intern will likely focus on specific wildlife species and related areas of policy. The intern will acquire a general foundation in federal lands and how they are managed specific to wildlife and biodiversity, and how wildlife conservation is implemented in policy and practice.
 
Position Description:
Assist Defenders’ Program staff in developing content in support of conservation, as well as various other projects as needed.
Responsibilities:
  • Conducting literature reviews;
  • Researching, summarizing and evaluating policy frameworks;
  • Researching, summarizing, and evaluating protections in management plans and policies for specific species;
  • Developing policy recommendations;
  • Writing letters to agencies;
  • Identifying best available information on species of concern;
  • Critically assessing policy papers and scientific studies;
  • Writing fact sheets, white papers, and reports;
  • Attending workshops and meetings; and
  • Carrying out other policy-related tasks as needed.

Anticipated Work Product(s):
·        Reports and summaries of management plan protections
·        Letters to Federal Agencies
·        Fact Sheets, white papers, reports

Qualifications:
Applicants must be self-starters driven by the opportunity to help transform wildlife conservation using science and technology while learning new skills. Interns should have a passion for wildlife conservation, strong research and analytical skills, a proven ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience reading, synthesizing and/or writing peer-reviewed papers;
  • Experience conducting literature reviews;
  • Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing research data;
  • Basic familiarity with wildlife conservation, federal lands, regulatory frameworks, and/or land management planning;
  • Background in environmental science, wildlife management, natural resources, or a related field.

Location:
We welcome candidates who would work either remotely (during the business hours of a USA time zone) or be based at Defenders’ office in Denver. During the COVID pandemic, all staff will work remotely.
 
Compensation:
Unpaid. If the candidate is commuting to the office, local transportation costs up to $10 per day will be reimbursed. Students are encouraged to seek funding opportunities through their schools or outside sources.
 
Application: defenders.org/jobs
Please submit a cover letter (letter of interest), resume, writing sample and a list of contact information (email, phone) for up to 3 professional references. In the cover letter, be sure to address:
-          your interest in working with Defenders of Wildlife and the Federal Lands Team specifically;
-          how your skills fit the goals and responsibilities of the internship position;
-          how the internship will assist with your career goals;
-          the date of your deadline if you require a decision by a deadline for school credit or funding; and
-          whether you are available part-time or full-time (either may be possible depending on the specific internship project).
 
It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, in all personnel actions.
 
Defenders of Wildlife is a national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Our employees work in an environment that is inclusive and honors each of our unique perspectives and backgrounds. We believe that the conservation of biological diversity is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and cultures. We strive toward a collective goal of including all people in the conservation of our Nation’s wildlife and wild places.