This is a residential (housing provided) or non-residential (housing not provided) position in Olema, California.

Overview

Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) is an award-winning marine wildlife protection and advocacy 501(c)3 non-profit organization with offices in California and Texas. Through our Oceans initiatives and Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN), we are leading the grassroots fight against extinction locally, nationally and internationally. We take on big problems threatening the world’s oceans and watersheds — industrial fishing, climate change, pollution, and habitat loss — with a can-do attitude and highly motivated, passionate individuals.

Our work is based on science, fueled by people who care, and effective at catalyzing long-lasting positive change that protects the likes of green sea turtles, whale sharks and coho salmon. By working with communities we preserve and restore critical habitats like the redwood-forested creekbanks of California to the biodiverse waters of Cocos Island.

We accomplish our mission through grassroots empowerment, consumer action, strategic litigation, hands-on restoration, environmental education, and by promoting sustainable local, national and international marine policies.

Our internships foster skill development within particular areas of interest but require participants to engage in a variety of tasks to support larger organizational goals. Every intern should leave the experience with a depth of insight into the way an environmental NGO functions and a diverse skill set in environmental conservation and advocacy.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

TIRN is seeking a highly organized, reliable and driven Administration and Advocacy Intern for this Fall/Winter to work with the development and communications team at our headquarters in Olema, California. The intern will support day-to-day administrative functions of our grassroots organization and work on medium- and long-term fundraising, advocacy and capacity-building projects. Key duties include managing records and processing data in databases, donor stewardship and communications, researching foundations and identifying grant opportunities, blogging and social media outreach, event planning and cultivating relationships with community members and stakeholders, and other special projects as assigned. Through the internship, the Intern will learn the ins and outs of a hard-hitting and award-winning marine wildlife advocacy non-profit approaching its 30th year anniversary.

We also encourage each intern to pursue a project of their choice during the term!

Qualifications & Skills

  •     Understanding of and commitment to environmental justice.
  •     Motivated, proactive, self-directed problem solver.
  •     Comfortable managing shifting roles and responsibilities.
  •     Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an an eye for editing a plus.
  •     Desire to collaborate within a team and ability to work well independently.
  •     Highly organized; ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks at once.
  •     Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and Google apps (Gmail, Docs, etc.).
  •     Comfortable reaching out to donors, vendors, community members and stakeholders.
  •     Familiarity with the use of databases and CRM platforms. Salesforce a plus.
  •     Understanding of social media platforms.
  •     Ability to create thoughtful content through blogging, email blasts and/or social media.
  •     Fundraising experience, including email campaigns, direct mail and proposal writing a plus.
  •     Photography and/or video skills a plus.
  •     Experience in planning fundraising and other public events a plus.
  •     WordPress experience a plus.
  •     Design software skills a plus.
  •     Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
  •     Desire to work in an organization committed to making the world a better place.

Terms

Salary: Unpaid.

Location: This is a six-month, part or full time position at our headquarters in Olema, California on National Parklands 25 miles north of San Francisco. 

Starting Time: Fall/Winter 2019, applications reviewed and filled on rolling basis.

Hours: Negotiable. Hours dependent on assigned projects and can be set according to the intern’s needs. We prefer a commitment of at least 15-20 hours/week for ten weeks or longer. Please include available hours and start date in your application. Start and ending dates are flexible, but preference will be given to candidates who can begin in Fall 2019.

Benefits: Coed housing is provided for candidates interested in interning full-time. The coed intern housing is provided in a furnished house that features shared bedrooms, bathroom and living spaces. The intern house is located just nine miles from our headquarters in a redwood forest, adjacent to State and National Parklands just 25 miles north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. You will also have the opportunity to volunteer at the local food bank in exchange for weekly groceries.

We are happy to work with academic departments to ensure the internship meets requirements for academic credit. 

How to Apply

Please email your resume and a letter of interest stating relevant experience and motivation in PDF format to Stepph Sharpe (ssharpe@seaturtles.org) with “Administration and Advocacy Internship” in the subject line.

TIRN is an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities are highly encouraged to apply. Thanks for your interest and we look forward to meeting you!