West Wisconsin Land Trust Communications Intern

The WWLT Communications intern works closely with the Associate Director (who oversees the program), and the Member & Communications Assistant. This position is designed to provide hands-on communications and public relations experience in a fast-paced environment. Specific areas of focus are assigned based on the intern's background, interest, and expertise. The Communications Program is responsible for implementing the objectives outlined in the West Wisconsin Land Trust Strategic Plan, using Integrated Marketing Communications.

Intern positions are paid, and last approximately 12 weeks. The Communications Intern will work full-time in our Menomonie office during summer 2008.

Job Description:

The Communications Intern will gain experience in a wide range of communications strategies, including media relations (radio and press releases), member communications (e-newsletter, direct mail), and web-based technologies (podcasts, social networking).

Typical assignments may include writing for the website and newsletter, assisting with membership events, data mining, preparing press releases, and producing multimedia pieces to update the website.

Candidates should possess the following qualifications

The ideal candidate will be in pursuit of a related degree, such as technical communications or marketing.

Strong oral and written communications skills, and computer skills are a must.
Basic design and web experience are a plus.

Other preferred qualifications include the ability to:

• Understand branding, image and position to create effective communications messages
• Apply creative writing skills
• Analyze constituent data and segmentation
• Measure effectiveness of marketing mix
• Work with web and multimedia technologies, using video, photography, and sound to further develop interactive capability on the WWLT website
• Assist with event management and update exhibit materials

Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in college.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample^* to: ekadlec@wwlt.org. To receive full and immediate consideration for this internship, we must receive your documents by May 2, 2008.

Your one-page cover letter (Word document) should address the following questions:
1. What excites you about West Wisconsin Land Trust? How does our mission resonate with you?
2. Why do you want to be a communications intern?
3. What previous communications experience do you possess that you consider relevant to this role? What academic courses have helped prepare you for this role?
4. What are the skills that you hope to develop in this position?

^*The writing sample should be a journal-style entry, (one page, Word document) about a natural area that is important to you. Express your "sense of place" by describing how you feel about it emotionally, how you use that natural space, and what you know about it.