Background

Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Friends) was founded in 1980 and has over 5,800 members in Oregon, Washington, and beyond dedicated to preserving, protecting, and stewarding the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. With offices in Portland and Hood River, Oregon, and Washougal, Washington, the organization uses an array of tools (advocacy, litigation, land acquisition, and public education) to ensure the Columbia Gorge remains a wondrous and vibrant place. In 2005, Friends launched the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust, a 509(a)(3) support organization to acquire spectacular landscapes within the Columbia Gorge.

Summary of position

Building a large and diverse cross section of public support across the Pacific Northwest is critical to sustaining Friends' efforts to preserve the Columbia Gorge for future generations. Friends' Public Engagement team works to develop innovative and creative strategies to effectively educate and engage the public in efforts to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge. Friends' youth education programs and community education efforts are vital tools in building a strong and diverse coalition of enthusiastic Gorge stewards.

The youth and community education specialist will work with Friends' outdoor programs manager as well as communications & engagement director—in collaboration with colleagues across Friends' teams—to redesign and oversee Friends' outdoor youth education programs and develop and implement community education events for all ages. The youth & community education specialist will play a leading role in developing educational tools focused on teaching nature- and science-based curricula to expand the reach and impact of Friends' youth education program.

This role is best suited for an individual who has experience educating and engaging the public (youth in particular) in environmental or outdoor education in informal settings (e.g., outdoors, on a trail, community centers, and webinars). This person must have experience and a passion for working with communities of all ages and backgrounds and connecting them to the outdoors through education, sparking an interest that could last a lifetime.

Experience and a high level of comfort with being on camera for educational videos (e.g., social media, interviews, webinars) is also required. Knowledge of environmental science, ecology, or natural history is a must, and familiarity with the ecology of the Pacific Northwest is preferred.

Job duties

For more information and to apply click here

 

The organization has 15 graduate and 9 undergraduate slots available. Oregon is seeking one graduate-level student to help with some of our climate action work. The position is hired through the New York Division but will be supervised by Laura Tabor, the Climate Action Director.

 

Application Links:

Remote Graduate Innovation Intern: nature.org  LinkedIn

Remote Undergraduate Innovation Intern: nature.org  LinkedIn

 

Stewardship and Community Engagement Assistantship: The Stewardship and Community Engagement Assistant (SCEA) will help connect people to nature and advance TNC’s conservation goals by supporting the Volunteer and Community Engagement and Stewardship Programs in Oregon. This is a three month, 15-25 hours per week position (April through late June/July). The position will help with volunteer work parties at Camassia, outreach events, some administrative work, and might be able to join in other projects depending on interest.

 

Job Application Page: Nature.org