Conservation Podcast Assistant with CA State Parks

Watershed Communications Assistant, California State Parks

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps in partnership with California State Parks, is seeking a Watershed Communications Assistant to dedicate one semester to work with the Cannabis Watershed Protection Program's Interpretation & Communications team. The Assistant 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: Centered in Central California within the San Joaquin River Watershed.

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 8-16 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.

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:

• Coursework in Journalism, Communications, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Knowledgeable of California flora, fauna, history, and geography.
• 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.
• Comfort with audio recording hardware such as microphones and sound interfaces
• 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.
• S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request) and ability to drive oneself to field sites within the watershed.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.

Preferred:

• 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.

The member must be willing to represent ACE and California State Parks in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

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://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/

Note:

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

EEO:

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Conservation Podcast Assistant with CA State Parks Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC