Conservation Communications Fellow

Montpelier, Vermont, USA

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

The Conservation Communications Fellow writes and edits communication materials to educate and inform the public and further fund-raising goals. Their written products may include newsletters, magazines, annual reports, web-site articles/stories, donor profiles, fact sheets, and presentations. They may assist in the management of design and production of written materials and may work with graphic designers, photographers, printers and other vendors and staff, as required.

The Nature Conservancy in Vermont has created this fellowship position with the goal of fostering graduates from historically marginalized communities who are pursuing careers in writing and conservation. We aim to support our fellows so that they are competitive applicants with skills needed for full-time regular service positions at conservation organizations and agencies, and so that they can ultimately become professionals in their field. This is a two-year position, with priority given to recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree.

There has never been a more important time to help the public value conservation and its role in shaping our future. The Nature Conservancy strives to engage a spectrum of audiences to cultivate an informed, motivated, and engaged citizenry to address the planet’s pressing 21st century environmental challenges. The Conservation Communications Fellow (2-year limited term position) will primarily be in service to TNC’s freshwater strategy while offering ancillary support for other conservation projects.

The Fellow’s Vermont-based work will focus on a communications campaign for healthy waters based on a strategy, principles, and messages agreed-upon with partners. This effort will help to elevate common messaging amongst multiple organizations, provide local organizations materials they can use in public communications, and help citizens and decision-makers clearly understand how they can contribute to healthy waters. Through this campaign, the fellow will provide essential support to public engagement that builds enthusiasm for and participation in conservation in a way that aligns with community values. To achieve this, the fellow will need to be based in Vermont in a hybrid office environment to execute the following responsibilities:

• Working with partners on messaging alignment and dissemination
• Designing visual assets for TNC, partners, and other interested parties using platforms such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator
• Communicating with and about the people behind our conservation projects and sharing their stories
• Creating blog, webpage, and newsletter content for TNC’s freshwater strategy and to a lesser extent, other conservation strategies
• Assorted support tasks that include managing a photography and asset library, powerpoint slide deck development, etc.

The Fellow will be supervised by a senior level communications professional during their two-year tenure while working closely with our Director of Science and Freshwater. The Fellow will develop a portfolio of work, co-create communication projects, and engage with cross-functional teams who are working on field projects, policy, conservation science, and philanthropy goals to further advance our work on land, water, and climate. The Fellow’s responsibilities will have the potential to expand as they learn and develop skills to support the program’s goals. In recognition of this early career role, they will have exposure to suite of professional development opportunities

Candidates who identify as Black, Hispanic, or Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, multiracial, or as first-generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• Recent bachelor’s degree (received within the last 2 years) or equivalent, with a marketing, journalism, or communications degree, or equivalent combination of experience
• Experience with relevant technology such as Microsoft Suite needed for communications, constructing reports and managing calendars.
• Experience using platforms such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator a plus

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual skills appreciated. Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
• Genuine interest in exploring a career in the fields of conservation and communications.
• Your unique voice and cultural perspective as it pertains to TNC’s mission and conservation work
• Motivated to learn and develop.

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The estimated starting salary for this positon is $45,000.

We will be hosting a webinar to share more about this position and answer questions on March 15, 2023 at 1pm Eastern Time. Please register for the webinar in advance.

To apply for job ID 53074 submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/.

Applications must include:

• The candidate’s resume

• A letter from the candidate describing qualifications and why he or she wishes to apply

• A letter of recommendation from a professional mentor or a former professor

• A 500-750 writing sample on a specific topic, preferably related to the environment. Previously published articles or blog posts will be accepted.
  

Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.