Education & Communications Fellow

The Education & Communications Leopold Fellows work side by side with experienced staff members to build a wide array of skills needed to contribute to, conduct, and manage education programs at non-profit conservation organizations through firsthand experience in visitor services, program marketing, and program delivery. Leopold Fellows will also gain experience in mission-based communications to a variety of strategic audiences both in-person and across digital platforms. Visitation and programming vary throughout the year, allowing for both periods of high visitor interaction and times of behind-the-scenes work in the office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work day-to-day aside passionate education, communications, and development professionals on activities directly in service to the foundation’s mission and success.
• Attend professional development trainings focusing on the seven core areas of the Future Leaders Program outlined above. These trainings will constitute approximately 20% of the total fellowship hours.
• Lead and complete an independent project that addresses a critical need of the foundation’s strategic planning initiatives. Projects are selected from a pre-determined list.
• Lead interpretive tours of the Leopold Shack and the Leopold Center for conservation professionals, high school and college students, and adult groups. Lead crane congregation tours in November and December.
• Staff the Leopold Center information desk. Tasks include answering phone inquiries about foundation programs and services, orienting visitors to visitation options, selling tour tickets and gift shop merchandise, managing mail and patron donations, etc.
• Assist with social media content creation. Write news articles and blog posts for the foundation’s website.
• Design program and event flyers, and contribute to larger interpretive graphic design projects as needed.
• Help promote, organize, and staff public programs, events, workshops, and meeting rentals groups.
• Participate in monthly field days to gain experience in and contribute to land stewardship efforts such as invasive species management, prescribed fire, and prairie planting.
• Become familiar with the life and work of Aldo Leopold and his family while exploring your own connection to and understanding of land ethics.
• Become familiar with the work of all Aldo Leopold Foundation staff and how each staff role contributes to the mission of the organization.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications Summary

The Aldo Leopold Foundation seeks applicants who have recently completed their bachelor’s or master’s degree in an environmental studies, marketing and communications, environmental education, or natural-resources related field. Applicants should have excellent communication skills, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and a passion for learning about and executing educational programs and marketing communications for non-profit conservation organizations. Applicants should also be willing and able to lead programs while hiking (1 mile plus) outdoors in all weather and insect conditions. All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the time they apply and have a valid driver’s license. Leopold Fellows must commit full-time to the entire 12-month program.