Job Description

WWF Overview

For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world\xe2\x80\x99s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field \xe2\x80\x93 more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible \xe2\x80\x94 bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.

BRIDGE \xe2\x80\x93 Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence

WWF\xe2\x80\x99s diversity-focused internship program, , aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

Position Summary

WWF seeks an intern to expand research and communication about increasing Native ranchers\xe2\x80\x99 access to payments for ecosystems services (PES). This internship will build upon a working paper developed through a 2022 BRIDGE internship to address two central questions in depth:

1) What PES programs are most relevant and valuable to help achieve the Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance\xe2\x80\x99s (BNGA\xe2\x80\x99s) goal of 30% of Tribal land in the Northern Great Plains (NGP) being under Native-led conservation management within 10 years, and what is needed to make those programs more accessible and deliver the desired outcomes/scale?

2) What is needed to adapt and improve Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs to enable greater access by and impact across Native nations in the Northern Great Plains?

Responsibilities

Internship Description:

Based on their findings, the intern will outline a clear set of recommendations for actions BNGA and NRCS, respectively, could take to enhance both conservation outcomes and Native ranchers\xe2\x80\x99 access to capital and technical assistance. They will also prepare communications materials to ensure NRCS staff and BNGA\xe2\x80\x99s leaders have the best available information about specific actions they can take to enhance these outcomes.

The intern\xe2\x80\x99s answers to these questions will be based on information available in peer-reviewed literature, white papers, federal websites, NGO websites, other publicly available data, and conversations with several program staff, combined with the intern\xe2\x80\x99s own analysis.

The intern will also be working to create draft content for BNGA\xe2\x80\x99s website that provides information about available and upcoming sources of PES and funding for regenerative agriculture.

This work will take approximately 35 hours each week, remotely, and will culminate in:

• A written report and/or draft policy paper with recommendations, co-authored with the intern\xe2\x80\x99s supervisor and others
• a PowerPoint presentation to WWF NGP staff and colleagues
• outline of webinar context designed for NRCS staff
• draft content for BNGA\xe2\x80\x99s website, designed for Native ranchers and farmers, with information about available and upcoming sources of PES and funding for regenerative agriculture. Will be reviewed by BNGA\xe2\x80\x99s social media manager and board prior to posting.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date.
• Pursuing an Associate\xe2\x80\x99s or Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s program in a related field (e.g, agriculture, natural resources management, environmental economics). Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply.

• Ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team in a high paced, dynamic environment.
• Attention to detail and organizational and time management skills a must.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills and experience working cross-culturally.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF\xe2\x80\x99s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:

• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Learning Outcomes

This work will help prepare the intern to work in conservation, agriculture, and other fields that face rapid change and planning in the face of uncertainty.

Skills Learned through the Research:

• Synthesize information.
• Identify information gaps and research questions.
• Work through uncertainty and manage challenges that arise.
• Make recommendations.
• Present findings to conservation and agriculture experts.

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University\xe2\x80\x99s eCornell program;

• Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF\xe2\x80\x99s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

Location:

US-Remote: WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming.

Compensation:

Paid - $17 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 5, 2023 to August 11, 2023

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume & cover letter through our , Requisition# BR-2305. In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.

If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.

• Please note that intern must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant\xe2\x80\x99s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

WWF