About Futurewise

For 30 years, Futurewise has worked to protect the natural environment by encouraging sustainable and equitable infrastructure and land use in Washington State. With the state’s Growth Management Act as a lens, we use policy development, advocacy, community engagement, data analysis, and legal tools to protect farms, forests, and water resources, and encourage livable cities through affordable housing, access to transit, and green infrastructure. To achieve these outcomes, our staff of planners, scientists, lawyers, educators, and organizers work with every level of government, at every geographic scale, together with hundreds of local organizations and activists to advance community-based solutions to land planning and environmental challenges.

 

About the Water, Fish and Wildlife Program

The Water, Fish and Wildlife (WFW) Program helps communities, place-based organizations and local governments improve their approach to a diverse range of land planning issues including climate resilience, open space and habitat, and equitable development, using innovative solutions like green infrastructure and multimodal transportation systems. Our projects often support or complement public land use planning and policy public processes like city comprehensive plan updates.

 

About the Position

We are seeking a WFW Program intern to support environmental projects and policy development currently based on the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington.

Position title:		Water, Fish, and Wildlife Program Intern (WFWPI)			Reports to:		Water, Fish and Wildlife Program Manager
Position type:		Fulltime (40 hrs/wk), exempt employee			Start date:		October 1,  2024
Salary:		$20/hour			Location:		This position is generally remote but will require some in-person activities in Port Angeles and occasionally other locations in the region

Position Description

The WFW intern should be flexible, self motivated, and eager to support all aspects of the Water Fish and Wildlife Program. Initially, the focus will be on planning and implementing two public outreach campaigns, one for a salmon stream daylighting and trails project in Port Angeles, WA, and the other for county and city comprehensive plan updates under the Growth Management Act.Tabling at public events to provide project information and solicit feedback, helping to develop a stormwater education project, and possibly giving presentations to community groups and organizations, are among the responsibilities of this role. The WFW intern will help prepare for and facilitate meetings with tribes and stakeholders, conduct basic research, complete administrative tasks, sort and organize the photographic archives of a tribal watershed based event, and assist with the planning and coordination of that event and related activities. There will be opportunities to develop and pursue relevant projects of interest under the guidance of the program manager and to gain professional skills and experience in community outreach and engagement, organizing, land use planning, and the legislative process under the mentorship of Futurewise staff.

Primary duties include:

• Help plan, coordinate, and staff community outreach and engagement events
• Communicate project information effectively to diverse audiences
• Maintain positive community relationships
• Develop and implement a stormwater education and outreach curriculum
• Assist with meeting preparation and implementation
• Assist with the organization’s other projects and goals as needed
• Sort and organize photographic archives and assist with tribal watershed events and activities

Preferred Skills

• Effective verbal and written communicator
• Ability to maintain a respectful and tactful approach when interacting with diverse groups of people in potentially contentious situations
• Possess basic knowledge of Microsoft and Google programs
• Community outreach and engagement
• Creative and holistic thinker

Desirable but not required:

• History of working or living with tribal communities
• Experience teaching environmental education or creating educational content
• Public speaking or other outreach background
• GIS and other graphics capabilities
• Knowledge of stormwater issues and Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Qualifications

• Able to participate in meetings and events on the North Olympic Peninsula (mostly in Port Angeles), some evenings or weekends required
• Willingness to work on a wide range of tasks and adapt to shifting needs
• Experience, success, and interest in working with diverse populations in a respectful and appropriate manner
• Self motivated and capable of working independently
• Posses interest in land use planning and policy
• Deep knowledge of the North Olympic Peninsula Tribes and other communities

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and at least three references in PDF format to [email protected]. Please make the subject of your email “(Last Name) – WFWPC” and address the cover letter to the Hiring Manager and label any submitted materials, including the cover letter, resume, and references with your last name.

Commitment To Racial Equity & Equal Opportunity Employment

Futurewise is committed to sharing our power, political access, expertise, and voice with communities of color and marginalized communities to encourage natural and built environment outcomes that reflect and respond to their priorities, and to working alongside those communities to dismantle systems of oppression in Washington State.

Futurewise is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity in all areas of its operations. We are committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presences of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.