Podcast Intern: Watershed Communications Assistant

Podcast internship with California State Parks

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps in partnership with California State Parks, is seeking 3 Watershed Communications Assistants to dedicate one semester to work with the Cannabis Watershed Protection Program's Interpretation & Communications team. The Assistants would work with Watershed Interpretive Program staff to research, design, and produce digital interpretive media in the form of a podcast. The Watershed podcast will feature unique stories of human relationships with the San Joaquin River from its headwaters in the Sierra Nevada down to the San Joaquin Valley floor as it intersects communities, farmland, and state parks. The Assistant should possess a passion for the environment, strong storytelling skills, and be pursuing a career in journalism, communications or a related field.

Start Date: August 2025

End Date: December 2025

Location: Fresno, CA: Project Centered in Central California within the San Joaquin River Watershed.

*Candidates with community ties to Central California are preferred

Project Website:

For more information about California State Parks, please visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/

For more information regarding the ACE EPIC Program, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Living Allowance: The member should anticipate serving 16 hrs/week and will receive a living allowance of $352/week for food and incidentals, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or CA State parks.

Travel: This position will require access to a Personal Vehicle to make short trips within the San Joaquin River Watershed. We will reimburse all driving at the CA standard mileage rate.

Equipment: Members will need to provide a Personal Computer. CA state parks will provide all necessary field and studio recording equipment.

Position Description:

This position will support State Parks in the production of the Watershed Podcast Project by performing research, making site visits, conducting and recording field interviews, writing scripts according to State Park interpretive program standards, and producing audio recordings. The position will work collaboratively with other ACE interns, California State Parks staff, and local community members to perform these duties.

Position Responsibilities Include:

• 40% - Watershed field work to research stories and conduct interviews
• 35% - Digital interpretive content production
• 15% - Communication and coordination between interns and State Park staff
• 10% - Other duties as assigned in accordance with the mission of State Parks

Qualifications:

Required:

• Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly and concisely for the purpose of representing State Parks to local communities and the media.
• Access to a smart phone, computer, and operational proficiency with smart phone applications including a willingness to learn computer software used for audio recording and podcast publishing.
• Strong writing, conversational, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and projects using email, calendars, phone, and text.
• Ability to prioritize projects, communicate professionally with stakeholders, and meet all project deadlines.
• Proven ability to be flexible, independent, and self-directed, while also being a positive, contributing member of a team with collaborators in various locations across California.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with reasonable accommodation.
• Must be a citizen or Permanent Resident.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record and 21 years of age or older (documentation to be provided upon request) and ability to drive oneself to field sites within the watershed.

Preferred:

• community connections to central California area
• Coursework in Journalism, Communications, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Comfort with audio recording hardware such as microphones and sound interfaces
• Knowledgeable of California flora, fauna, history, and geography.
• Experience with the production of digital media products, preferably podcast or other audio-based content.
• Knowledge of California State Parks general operations.
• Ability to communicate in another language, especially Spanish.
• Established connections with university or community journalism, communications, or radio organizations/ staff.
• Comfort with hiking and working independently outdoors in park locations with the possible exposure to inclement weather, steep and uneven terrain, wildlife, poison oak, and other hazards of the natural world.

*please note: You do not need to meet all of these qualifications to apply. If you meet around 65% we definitely still want to hear from you.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, 2 writing samples (i.e. could be an article or essay written for school or and example of digital content creation), and contact info for 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right-hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1221771. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Special Projects Manager Josh Haussler at jhaussler@usaconservation.org. 

Note: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.