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Urban Forestry Intern

City of Olympia
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Urban Forestry Outreach & Communications Intern

 

Note: Only applications submitted via Workday will be reviewed: Search for Jobs 

 

Position Description

The City of Olympia is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP). This comprehensive roadmap will help the City achieve the following goals: 1) Protect or establish healthy tree canopy in areas where environmental, social, and economic benefits are the most equitable and impactful; and 2) Advance the City’s climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience outcomes. The recommended policies, programs, and operational updates will strike a balance between environmental health and sustainable urban growth. A successful UFMP will ensure that both the benefits and challenges of tree canopy in urban, residential, and natural areas are distributed equitably across Olympia’s communities.

An inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to gathering public input is essential to anchoring Olympia’s Urban Forest Management Plan in the vision, needs, and experiences of Olympia’s communities. Based on individual skills and interests, the Urban Forestry Outreach and Communications Intern will support some or all of the following public engagement activities:

  • Develop a public-facing, interactive online storymap using geographic information systems (GIS) and data from Olympia’s recent Tree Canopy Assessment
  • Draft maps, surveys, newsletter articles, social media content, flyers, and other outreach materials to promote public involvement
  • Participate in preparation and implementation of community workshops, tabling events, and public meetings
  • Assist in organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing data 
  • Provide additional research and/or GIS work based on Intern’s specific skills and interests, including (but not limited to):
    • Balancing tree protection with housing and development needs
    • Identifying opportunities to advance equity and environmental justice outcomes
    • Utilizing tree canopy and green infrastructure to manage stormwater
    • Identifying priority areas for increasing tree canopy to reduce urban heat islands

Learning Objectives

  • Increase skills in translating complex concepts and data into accessible and user-friendly communications tools to promote public involvement in policy-making
  • Practice equitable, inclusive and accessible community engagement
  • Gain experience working in local government on a complex topic that covers multiple disciplines: Climate resilience, environmental justice, ecosystem health, urban planning, stormwater management, transportation, parks and recreation, etc.
  • Learn about urban forestry in a growing city that also values healthy habitat and accessible greenspaces

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • Interested in one or more of the following topics: Urban or environmental planning, community engagement, education, climate resilience, environmental justice, GIS, urban ecology, urban forestry, policymaking
  • Curious and creative, willing to ask questions and think outside the box
  • Comfortable working independently to meet multiple deadlines and also collaborating as part of a project team
  • Able and willing to collaborate respectfully with people of all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age, religion, nationality, or cultural background

Knowledge and Experience Qualifications

  • Experience using ESRI ArcPro software for basic data analysis, developing maps, and creating storymaps
  • General understanding of the benefits and challenges of trees and forests in both the built and natural environment
  • Excellent editing and communication skills across various formats: Email, newsletters, social media, graphics, maps, team meetings, public speaking
  • Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
  • General understanding of environmental and climate justice issues and/or an interest in learning more about promoting equity in environmental work

Salary, Schedule, and Work Environment
Applicants must be enrolled in an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree program for the Fall 2026 academic year or sooner. Students graduating in Spring or Summer 2026 are eligible through the end of September 2026.

This internship has flexible start and end dates, roughly early July through December 2026 with the possibility of extending to March 2027. Approximately 800 total internship hours are available. Interns may work up to 19 hours per week while in school and up to 40 hours per week over summer and school breaks. A hybrid and flexible schedule may be possible, to be negotiated with the supervisor. Anticipate roughly 20 percent field (outreach and engagement) and 80 percent office/telework. This position is eligible to receive sick pay. 

Compensation (minimum-maximum): $23.33 - $25.69 hourly based on experience

Union: Independents

Exempt: No

To Apply

Contact Information

If you have questions about the position, timing, and/or requirements, please contact Kym Foley, Senior Environmental Planner at (360) 570-3957 or via email at kfoley@ci.olympia.wa.us. For general application or Workday questions please contact Human Resources at humanresources@ci.olympia.wa.us.

The City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Manny Bosser, Director of Human Resources, at (360)753-8309 or mbosser@ci.olympia.wa.us. This contact is for ADA accommodations only. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager noted in the Contact section near the top of this recruitment.

 

Funding for this position was made possible by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with State of Washington Department of Natural Resources, Urban and Community Forestry Program.