THE POSITION:
As a strong candidate for this position, you are a story-teller – and you know the power of digital storytelling, especially when it comes to a well-crafted video. You find yourself seeking new ways to inspire people to explore the great outdoors and take action on environmental issues in their own backyard. As such, you want to combine your passion for nature with your skills in video production and digital storytelling. If this sounds like you, we want to get to know you more! Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is seeking a videography and digital storytelling intern to support its public outreach and strengthen its connections with supporters, funders and donors. This exciting position is suited to someone interested in combining their videography, interpersonal and digital communications skills with their passion for wildlife, outdoor recreation and ecosystems conservation.
The successful candidate will help with telling the story of our project work, partners and successes through interviewing stakeholders and editing videos that will make the case for conservation. This role will also support our public-facing events and help convey the importance of Y2Y’s work in large landscape conservation, and more specifically in the Columbia Headwaters region of British Columbia.
The position offers significant hands-on experience with the processes and practices of a non-profit conservation organization, and non-profit culture and administration. It aims to mentor a young professional interested in combining skills in video production, digital communications or another related field with a love of the environment, wildlife recreation and/or science.
PRIMARY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The videography and digital storytelling intern will report to Y2Y’s communications and digital engagement manager (based in Alberta), and work closely with Y2Y’s Columbia Headwaters program manager (based in B.C.). This job will require travel throughout the southeastern B.C., to visit various filming locations. The intern must have their own equipment including editing software and an office space to work from. The principal tasks and responsibilities for this position include:
Assist with scripting, then lead the filming and editing of a series of short videos about Y2Y’s vision and mission, partners, landscape and other elements of our work in the Columbia Headwaters region to inspire and engage our target audiences;
Work to deadlines;
Interview subjects;
Edit and render videos for various uses including social media;
Assist with producing content for donor newsletters; and
Other duties as assigned.
ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS:
This position is partly funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 to 30 years, a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or with refugee protection, and have a valid Social Insurance Number. Y2Y is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to assure equal opportunities for employees and applicants regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability or conviction of an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered. This policy applies to hiring, terms and conditions of employment, salary, benefits, promotion, salary adjustment, evaluation, termination and grievances.
The successful candidate must have their own equipment including editing software and an office space to work from.
Qualifications include:
Enrolled in or a recent graduate from a post-secondary program leading to a degree in fields of communications, marketing or similar (e.g. journalism, broadcast media, public relations, media arts);
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, and the ability to engage a lay audience with sometimes complex information;
Experience with video editing software;
Good computer (Word, Excel, PPT) skills and general office experience;
Ability to work independently and creatively;
Ability to work outdoors;
Valid driver’s license, as some travel and remote work may be required; and
Two references who can attest to your qualifications.
LOCATION: Ideally, but not absolutely required, the candidate will be based in the southeastern British Columbia’s Columbia Headwaters region. Y2Y’s B.C. staff are located in Nelson and New Denver and the intern’s main supervisor is located in Canmore, Alberta.
ABOUT Y2Y:
The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is a joint Canada-US not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so people and nature can thrive. Y2Y takes a scientific and collaborative approach to conservation, and is upheld as a global leader in large landscape conservation. Visit y2y.net to learn more.
The Columbia Headwaters is an important part of the Yellowstone to Yukon region, situated in the globally unique Inland Temperate Rainforest. Characterized by old growth forests in deep rugged valleys and big snowpacks on high alpine peaks, the Columbia Headwaters hosts healthy grizzly and wolf populations, as well as mountain goats, and is a known spot for wolverines. It is also home to the threatened southern mountain caribou. This position will work on projects related to and within the Columbia Headwaters region. Visit columbiaheadwaters.org for more information.
HOURS OF WORK AND SALARY
The start and end date is flexible with the video project(s) to be completed in summer/fall 2020. This position is subject to Canada Summer Jobs funding and restrictions but is predicted to be eight weeks at 30 hours/week. Hours and days of work are somewhat flexible and will vary depending on filming needs. The salary is $18 per hour. Y2Y will reimburse approved out-of-pocket expenses.
TO APPLY:
Send cover letter and resume detailing why you are interested in this position and your qualifications by 5 p.m. MST on Monday, May 18, 2020 to catherine@y2y.net . Include at least two references and a portfolio or at least one sample/link to your recent work in videography and digital storytelling. Successful candidates will receive a phone interview followed by videoconference interviews.