Watershed Communications Assistants

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with California State Parks, is seeking Three Watershed Communications Assistants to work with the Cannabis Watershed Protection Program's Interpretation & Communications team. The Assistants would work with Watershed Interpretive Program staff to research, design, and produce digital interpretive media in the form of a podcast. The Watershed podcast will feature unique stories of human relationships with the Russian River from its headwaters in the Mayacama Mountains in Mendocino County to the Sonoma County coast as it intersects communities, farmland, and state parks. The Assistants should possess a passion for the environment, strong storytelling and creative writing skills, and be pursuing a career in creative writing, journalism, or a related field.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

For more information about California State Parks, please visit their website.

Start Date: August 17, 2026

Estimated End Date: November 6, 2026

• a 12 minimum commitment is required *

Location Details: Remote centered in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

Position Overview:

This position will support State Parks in the production of the Watershed Podcast Project by performing research; making site visits; conducting and recording field interviews; writing creative, thematic scripts according to State Park interpretive program standards; and producing/editing audio recordings. The position will work collaboratively with other ACE interns, California State Parks staff, and local community members to perform these duties.

Position Responsibilities Include:

50% - Podcast script writing and digital interpretive content production

25% - Watershed field work to research stories and conduct interviews

15% - Communication and coordination between interns and State Park staff

10% - Other duties as assigned in accordance with the mission of State Parks

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Members will log 24 hours per week while checking in with state park staff & project team each week to establish weekly goals and timelines that will require self discipline to meet target goals.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 24 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $528/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the California State Parks and ACE and is not flexible.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Coursework in Journalism, Communications, Environmental Studies, or related fields.
• Knowledgeable of California flora, fauna, history, and geography.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English clearly and concisely for the purpose of representing State Parks to local communities and the media.
• Access to a smart phone, computer, and operational proficiency with smart phone applications including a willingness to learn computer software used for audio recording and podcast publishing.
• Strong writing, conversational, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and projects using email, calendars, phone, and text.
• Ability to prioritize projects, communicate professionally with stakeholders, and meet all project deadlines.
• Comfort with audio recording hardware such as microphones and sound interfaces.
• Proven ability to be flexible, independent, and self-directed, while also being a positive, contributing member of a team with collaborators in various locations across California.
• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional and enthusiastic manner.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Spanish language fluency or proficiency.
• Experience with production of digital media products, preferably podcast content.
• Knowledge of California State Parks general operations.
• Established connections with university or community journalism, communications, or radio organizations/ staff.
• Comfort with hiking and working independently outdoors in park locations with the possible exposure to inclement weather, steep and uneven terrain, wildlife, poison oak, and other hazards of the natural world.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 15 lbs., ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled, with occasional outdoor conditions where work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel within Sonoma and Mendocino counties for interviews and occasional training opportunities.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife if performing any work in outdoor conditions. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, 2 writing samples (i.e. could be an article or essay written for school or and example of digital content creation), and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE Project Manager, Anna-Louise Calliham or California State Parks Northern CA Watershed Interpretive Program Coordinator, Dominic Papia.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.