Public AffairsIntern

Golden Gate National Parks, Fort Mason

Part Time, Spring Semester 2014 (with potential for Summer Extension)

Available only to students currently enrolled at SFSU and CCSF

Overview

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a destination for both locals and international visitors with its sweeping vistas, immense biological diversity, and unique cultural resources. With over 17 million visitors annually and over 80,000 acres of land, the GGNRA is the largest urban national park in the country.

This is position is located in the Office of Communications and Partnerships of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA.) This office provides a full array of communications services at a complex and highly dynamic national park area, including Public Affairs, Public Information, intergovernmental relations, community involvement, Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) response, public meetings, briefing statements, tours for visiting dignitaries, and support for the internal and external communications instruments of the park.

Overview of Position

Drawn to public service and media relations? Inspired by working with people? Thinking about going into communications or public affairs? Want direct experience in civic engagement? Then a Public Affairs Internship at GGNRA may be just what you are seeking.

We are looking for a Public Affairs Intern who has excellent written communication skills, especially in press releases, media alerts, web sites, or other written media to explain agency actions or policies in new ways that will increase understanding among publics with varying levels of comprehension. In this position it is important to possess effective oral communication skills for discussions and presentations to park visitors, park partners, and park decision makers and to have an ability to think on her/his feet.

Working as part of a team, you will be provided with a supportive internship that introduces you (or reinforces your knowledge) to civic engagement, public outreach, and media relations for programs in national parks.

Description of Duties

As a Public Affairs Intern with the National Park Service, you will:

  • Search for and collect media clips about NPS, GGNRA and park partners
  • Draft news releases and media alerts for proactive media stories and reactive responses to media inquiries
  • Help design updates and communications strategies for staff and park partners
  • Staff special outreach events in Bay Area communities

Other Duties

  • Update and maintain, including researching new contacts for, media and blog contact list
  • Project communications onsite, talking directly to visitors about a project on the ground
  • Assist Director of Communications with Freedom of Information Request fulfillment

Benefits

  • Experience working with diverse groups of visitors, constituents, and park staff
  • Training opportunities in press contact methods and delivery
  • Personal enrichment and experience working in a national park
  • Great opportunity to work with staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds that share a common commitment to providing open and transparent communications from the government
  • Fifty Dollar ($50.00) per day stipend available, plus academic credit

Desired Qualifications

  • Appreciation of and desire to build a strong and effective communications program for GGNRA and the NPS with many diverse internal and external audiences
  • Ability for work days to be flexible, but usually 9:00 am -5:00 pm M-F
  • Energetic and self-motivated
  • Mature and professional demeanor while working with visitors and colleagues
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Bi-lingual and cultural skills a plus

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

  • Intern will work mostly indoors, and occasionally outdoors. Weather conditions vary from day to day
  • Intern must be comfortable sitting, standing, and walking in public settings frequently

Terms

  • Desired Start Date: January 2014
  • 3-4 or 4-5 days per week, January through May.
  • Available only to students currently enrolled in SF State and City College of San Francisco

To apply for this position, please send a resume and a thoughtful cover letter to . Please indicate the position title in your email subject line. In the letter, please indicate your preference if applying to more than one internship. No phone calls please.

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service are committed to diversity in the workplace. Minorities and people of color are encouraged to apply.