Job Type Paid Internship
Salary Details Starting at $14/hr
Deadline Apr 21, 2020

Location of the internship: Flexible. The right candidate will be able to work remotely.

Daily work schedule: Part-time. Flexible schedule, to be agreed upon with mentor.

Position Description: Are you interested in better understanding how landscape characteristics, forest management, and factors specific to each community can affect vulnerability to catastrophic fire in the Pacific Northwest? Are you looking to develop skills in communicating science to land managers, community leaders and policy-makers? Join a collaboration between Washington State University, the University of Idaho and other partners to develop a variety of science communications products designed to share the results of the FireEarth project. FireEarth is a 5-year National Science Foundation-funded project that has been exploring the biophysical and social aspects that contribute to vulnerability to catastrophic fire, as well as management options that can help modify fire impacts.

The selected candidate will work with Dr. Sonia Hall to develop science communications products, including one or more of the following:

  • A story map highlighting the issue that FireEarth was designed to tackle, the approaches taken, and the key results arising from the last 4 years of research;
  • Science briefs describing results of particular aspects of the research findings;
  • Case studies highlighting the capabilities of the models used in the FireEarth project;
  • Photo guide to help model users characterize modeling scenarios and interpret the results; or
  • Short blog articles to share key results and their implications through an existing collaborative Pacific Northwest blog effort, AgClimate.net, and other university outlets.

Intern will also receive feedback from the researchers themselves, and there may be opportunities for additional products for an intern with the right skill set (e.g. short videos, organization of webinars, social media campaign, literature review relating to best practices on communicating uncertainty, etc).

Desired skills and talents:

  • Interest in outreach and science communications – The products the intern will develop are written communications products intended to share key science and modeling results with an intelligent audience of land managers, policy makers and community leaders. We are looking for candidates with a passion for communication of objective, unbiased, easy-to-digest information to help decision-makers.
  • Interest in applications of biophysical and/or social science to land management, policy, and community decisions – We are looking for candidates interested in understanding how experimental, modeling and social science results can help inform decisions made by land managers, policy makers and community leaders. A passion for working at the interface of science and decision-making is key.
  • Interest in wildfire and climate change impacts – The intent of the project is to challenge the intern in both the realm of science and in the realm of communicating science results effectively. Interest in both these aspects is necessary to fully take advantage of the experience.
  • Self-starter, independent – The student will be expected to make independent progress, contribute ideas, and reach out to team members as needed to obtain the support they need. Frequent communications with Dr. Hall will support their progress.
  • Creative – The intern will have the opportunity to develop creative ideas for sharing the results of the research team’s work through a variety of media. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience and skills in different types of communications, and are eager to apply those skills to the particular topic and research of the FireEarth project.
  • Responsible – We are willing to offer significant flexibility around work location, hours, and when those hours are completed. The intern’s performance will therefore be evaluated based on what they produce. This approach will be most effective with interns who are committed to working remotely, collaborating with others, and willing and able to work within a schedule that coordinates everyone’s work.

Expectations

  • 10 to 15 hr/week through the summer 2020, with the option for extending through September 25, 2020.
  • Computer will be provided if intern is in Wenatchee. If working remotely, intern will need access to a computer and reliable internet connection.
  • In-person or remote meetings with mentor and others on a regular basis will be required.

Other Information

  • Start date: May 11, 2020. Latest end date September 25, 2020.
  • Hourly rate starting at $14/hour, depending on experience and level of education.

To apply please send your resume, a cover letter describing how your background and experience matches the needs of the position, and the names and contact information of three references to Sonia Hall at sonia.hall@wsu.edu by April 21, 2020.

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.

HOW TO APPLYTo apply please send your resume, a cover letter describing how your background and experience matches the needs of the position, and the names and contact information of three references to Sonia Hall at sonia.hall@wsu.edu by April 21, 2020.