DaRin Butz Foundation NWF Sea Turtle and Manatee Intern (Tampa Bay Region)

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into 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 ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

About the Position

The Gulf Program of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) seeks a part-time Darin Butz Foundation NWF Intern for a three-month internship to help implement work on:

• Sea turtle model lighting ordinances program
• Wildlife friendly lighting outreach program
• Associated sea turtle conservation and outreach activities
• Associated manatee conservation and outreach activities

The primary responsibilities of the intern will be to draft educational materials for outreach, implement our lighting display program, identify and assist with sea turtle lighting ordinances updates, compile nesting and disorientation data, and to provide audience-specific messaging to three targeted groups along the FL Gulf Coast about manatees and sea turtles:

• Targeted Florida Gulf Coast residents and coastal businesses (via outreach to Neighborhood Associations, Property Managers, Condo Associations, Rental Properties, etc.)
• Local governments
• Interested members of public (via blog creation, op-ed drafting, etc.)

This position will report to the Senior Wildlife Policy Specialist based in Pinellas County, Florida. The selected candidate must have a permanent address in one of NWF’s working states and be based in the Tampa Bay region.

Job Duties:

• Create and facilitate educational outreach materials about sea turtles and manatee as assigned
• Contact (email, phone, in-person) hardware stores, visitor centers, and other coastal businesses to promote wildlife friendly lighting displays
• Engage targeted stakeholders with educational resources and online tools
• Join regular partner meetings to discuss lighting ordinance changes
• Attend relevant meetings and conferences
• Draft content for social media, blogs, op-eds and other venues to promote sea turtle conservation
• Shadow partners for sea turtle monitoring and lighting assessments
• Review lighting ordinances
• Participating in the Manatee Awareness Coalition
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

Individuals applying for this internship should meet the following qualifications:

• Florida Resident
• Enrolled in a degree seeking program from an accredited institution and completed at least 2 years of college education.
• Willingness to work on a flexible schedule of 19-24 hrs/ week, including evenings and occasional weekends during the Spring Semester
• Able to speak clearly and comfortably with diverse audiences (government employees, coastal businesses, public, homeowners)
• Organized, self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision
• Comfortable working outside for several hours at a time in Florida heat and humidity
• Possess good verbal and written communication skills, and comfortable using standard computer programs, and communication devices
• Reliable and professional
• Have a general understanding of wildlife conservation
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to use personal vehicle for travel to sites to conduct outreach with target audience
• Willingness to use personal computer and cell phone
• Reliable and professional
• Organized and self-motivated

Preferred Experience/Knowledge

It is preferred that individuals applying for this internship position also have experience and knowledge related to:

• Outreach and engagement facilitation
• Wildlife Biology
• Written communications
• Coordinating, scheduling, and independent work

Service Term (approximate):

Term of internship lasts 12 weeks or 90 days, 19-24 hours per week for a max total of 277 hours. We are looking for candidates that can meet these terms during 3 continuous months between February 2027- June 2027.

Compensation: $18.50/hour (no benefits)

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. Applicants should indicate if they intend to pursue this in application letter. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate your class schedule.

We aspire to be an inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical ability, and religious and political belief. Diversity at the National Wildlife Federation translates into understanding and valuing each other's perspectives.

Application
Interested applicants should apply through the NWF website by January 1 and submit a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please include your availability for a continuous three-month term (e.g., February–April, April–June, etc.), with a commitment of 19–24 hours per week. Please also indicate your general availability by day of the week (Monday–Friday). Your cover letter should describe your interest in working with NWF’s Gulf Program and highlight any relevant experience in community outreach or education, sea turtle or manatee conservation, or addressing the effects of human disturbance on wildlife. A background check may be conducted for the selected candidate.