Communications Intern

April 2018

Washington Trails Association (WTA) preserves, enhances, and promotes hiking opportunities in Washington state through collaboration, education, advocacy and volunteer trail maintenance. We are committed to leaving a rich legacy of trails and wild lands for future generations to enjoy. WTA is a nonprofit leader in community engagement—from its interactive website that serves 3 million unique annual visitors, to its growing base of more than 15,000 member households, to its volunteer trail program, which is the largest of its kind in the nation. Contributions from individuals account for approximately $2.5 million in annual revenue.

To better tell the story of trails in Washington, WTA is seeking a communications intern who will assist staff in writing and collecting diverse stories for WTA’s print and digital channels. The position’s primary responsibility is to help curate news and stories for WTA about the varied members of the trail community. The Washington Trails magazine editor will supervise and support the intern.

This internship is a great opportunity to learn more about nonprofit organizations, communications and hiking in Washington. The work will help you strengthen your skills for telling compelling stories in digital and print formats. Our aim is to provide an environment for you to grow and feel accomplished.

You’ll come away with a good understanding of how nonprofits use various media channels to engage with their audiences. You’ll see how production of a magazine happens, start to finish. You’ll learn the importance of fact-checking and the structure of a good feature story. You will learn content strategy and practice speaking and writing using the voice of an organization. WTA seeks proactive, solutions-oriented candidates who have a flexible, self-motivated work style.

 

RE S P O N S I BI L I T I E S AN D LE A R N I N G O P P O R T U N I T I ES

Responsibilities and learning opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Written communications – 60 percent

This internship will encompass a mix of writing assignments for WTA’s print and digital platforms. We’ll strive for a balance between projects of most interest to the intern and those with pressing deadlines.

  • Profiles: Interview personalities involved with trails, such as leaders of hiking groups, park and forest managers, wilderness first responders or first-generation hikers.
    • Hike research and fact checking: Research the details for the trails and trips in
  • Reporting for web and/or Research and write brief news articles, assist with researching and compiling news reports for magazine and website.
    • Research/write longer form articles: Write a 1,000-word feature article on a hiking or public-lands related topic. Articles may be featured in Washington Trails magazine or on the website. The intern may also write web features that supplement and correspond to magazine

 

In person communications – 15 percent

Part of this internship will be spent helping hikers to better understand their connection to public lands — and how they can help protect the places they love. This includes representing WTA at environmental fairs, local events and trail work parties.

 

  • Talk with members of the public about hiking and opportunities to engage with WTA at local festivals and events, including making presentations at local outdoor clubs.
  • Identify and develop handouts and other outreach and event materials as needed.
  • Assist in coordinating volunteers to assist with outreach.
  • Assist in event promotional activities including creating invitations, submitting events to local newspapers and social-media marketing.
  • Help manage event registrations and newsletter signups by working in WTA’s Salesforce database.

 

Photography and image cataloging – 15 percent

  • Help maintain the cataloging system for incoming photos from various sources.
  • Take photos and edit images on a variety of topics. Learn what makes a compelling visual story in relation to WTA’s work. Assist on video shoots as necessary.

Other— 10 percent

 

SC H ED U L E

The communications intern is a temporary position starting in June and continuing through September 2018. This timing is flexible. The expected schedule is 3-4 days and 20 hours each week, during the day Monday to Friday. The majority of the work will take place in the WTA office in Seattle, but some hours may be spent at events in Seattle and surrounding areas, including occasional evening or weekend work. Days and specific hours of work can be flexible.

 

SKI L L S, EX PER I EN C E A ND P E R S O NA L T R A I T S P RE F E RRE D

  • At least one year of writing experience
  • Positive attitude and the ability to carry yourself in a professional manner
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Photoshop helpful. Salesforce a plus.
  • Ability to work independently and contribute to a team effort
  • Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds
  • Ability to work occasional evening and weekend events
  • A strong commitment to WTA’s mission and values

 

CO M P E N S AT I O N

This is a paid internship position at $15.00 per hour. WTA provides the Intern with an ORCA card to support travel during the internship.

TO A PPL Y

Email a resume and a brief cover letter describing how your experience and qualifications translate to the requirements of the role to editor@wta.org. Also talk about your time availability and what you hope to learn from this experience. Reference the job title “communications intern” in the subject line of the email.

Applications accepted until position filled. Priority given to applications received before May 14, 2018.

 

Washington Trails Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.