Opportunities

Social Media Communications Internship

Basics

• Start date: As soon as filled
• Application review starts September 30, 2021.
• Position location: Laramie, Wyoming; remote work possible
• Position type: part time, unbenefited
• Duration: 3 months; possibility to extend
• Hours: 20/week, with a flexible schedule and weekly meetings
• Pay: $12.50 (undergrad), $15/hr (master’s), or $17.50/hr (doctoral student)

Position Description

The UW Biodiversity Institute is offering a social media and communications internship. This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated student with a passion for communicating science to non-scientists Through this internship, the successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in science communication.

Depending on current Biodiversity Institute needs and applicant’s skills, responsibilities may include:

• Developing, writing, and editing content for web, social, and print media;
• Co-managing a weekly, monthly, and long-term communications calendar with other Institute personnel;
• Tracking media and social media coverage related to the Institute and partners;
• Tracking, analyzing, and reporting on social media and other Institute communications efforts and contributing to strategic planning associated with communications;
• Preparing content for newsletters or other mailings;
• Assisting with general communications office functions as assigned;
• Training in specific science communication techniques and practices, as appropriate.

The intern will be jointly supervised by Abbey Morales, our Communications and Marketing Specialist, and Bethann Garramon Merkle, who manages our impact assessment efforts. The intern will also work with the rest of the Institute team.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have prior internship or professional experience in communications as well as a strong desire to gain content management and science communications skills in a professional setting.

Relevant skills include:

• Computer literacy and a firm grasp of available tools and platforms in the social media space
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal skills
• Strong skills in visual communication (e.g., photography, graphic design, video, and/or )
• Strong skills and/or potential for growth with social media planning, content management, and impact assessment
• Awareness of and commitment to best practices in science communication including accessibility, inclusive communications, and public engagement and/or interest in becoming skilled in this area
• Current enrollment in a field related to science communication (e.g., Communications, English, Biology, etc.)
• Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner with work colleagues, researchers and community contacts

Opportunities & Benefits

The UW Biodiversity Institute is operated by a team of experienced science communications and public engagement faculty and staff with experience in writing, editing, design, photography, video, social media and media relations, in addition to domain specialties such as citizen science, K-12 science education, art-science integration, public engagement programs, and research in biodiversity, science communication, and more. The Social Media Communications Intern will join this team alongside an active crew of interns already working in visual communication (e.g., graphic design, science illustration) and student volunteers active in numerous UW Biodiversity Institute programs.

We provide active training, proactive supervision, and work with interns to identify work plans that will build skills and result in mutually beneficial work products. We also support professional development, including potential travel to conferences, etc. Past and current interns have led the production of several print publications, transitioned into longer-term employment roles, and have leveraged their portfolios from their time with us toward major career steps after graduation.

To Apply Submit application to Abbey Morales at emorale3@uwyo.edu. Initial review of applications will begin September 30, 2021. This position is open until filled. Application should include:

• Cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining a) your interest in the internship and how it relates to your career goals; b) aspects of the internship you would particularly like to pursue.
• Resume/CV (1-3 pages welcomed) emphasizing: a) communication-related experience, including training; b) science background (incl. education, volunteer and outreach experience); c) other experience relevant to sharing/translating science.
• Science communication samples: two samples of work you have done, in any media, published or not, that demonstrate your abilities and interests relevant to this position. If the samples are not science-related, please provide a brief description (<100 words) helping us make the connection. Please provide screen shots as well as links, if the material exists only online.
• Contact information for two references: reference letters are not required.

 

About the UW Biodiversity Institute

Located in the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center at the University of Wyoming. The UW Biodiversity Institute fosters the understanding, appreciation and conservation of biological diversity through innovative research, education, and outreach, and by engaging a broad audience in the scientific process.

The Biodiversity Institute works with scientists, resource managers, educators, and the public to further the understanding and conservation of biodiversity. We seek to provide a unique service to Wyoming and beyond by facilitating collaborative research projects, disseminating research, distributing grants,

and providing educational, outreach, and citizen science programs for scientists, students and the public. Our communications efforts produce and distribute a wide variety of communications materials to share the work of UW biodiversity researchers with broad audiences.

The UW Biodiversity Institute and the University of Wyoming are an equal opportunity employer, and the Institute also provides a flexible and supportive working environment.