Conservation Storytelling & Social Media Specialist

Internship • Fort Collins, CO

Description

Position Overview: The Conservation Storytelling & Social Media Specialist brings Bird Conservancy's mission and impact to life through compelling, accurate, and accessible storytelling across digital and print platforms. This position leads Bird Conservancy's social media presence, including daily content development, publishing, community engagement, and performance evaluation. The specialist proactively works with staff

to uncover meaningful stories, interviews subject matter experts, and independently develops original written content for the Primary Source magazine, fundraising communications, the website, and other organizational outlets. The specialist adapts and repurposes stories for different audiences and platforms, ensuring that Bird Conservancy's conservation work reaches and inspires people in meaningful ways. The position develops and implements a flexible annual content strategy in coordination with the Senior Director of Engagement and Development and evaluates how storytelling and digital engagement translate into measurable actions that advance the organization's conservation, education, and fundraising goals. The specialist reports to the Senior Director of Engagement & Development and collaborates with staff across the organization.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Story Development, Writing, and Editorial Content

• Proactively collaborate with Science, Education, Stewardship, and other staff to identify compelling, scientifically accurate stories, milestones, discoveries, and examples of conservation impact that make complex conservation topics accessible to general audiences.

• Write and edit original content for social media, the Primary Source magazine, website, donor stewardship and fundraising appeals, and other organizational publications, tailoring content for specific audiences.

• Social Media Strategy, Publishing, and Engagement

• Lead Bird Conservancy's social media strategy and day-to-day management across its primary

  platforms, maintaining an active, engaging, and consistent organizational presence, in accordance

  with organizational priorities and messaging.

• Coordinate social media promotion of events, volunteer opportunities, fundraising campaigns, and organizational initiatives through organic and, where appropriate, paid content.

Campaigns, Website, and Development Collaboration

• Write and/or update website content, including programmatic pages, organizational news, campaign landing pages, job postings, and advertisements, subject to established content ownership and approval processes.

  
  

Measurement, Brand, and Team Support

• Use website analytics, campaign tracking, and other measurement tools to assess performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform future content strategies. Report quarterly on reach, engagement, audience growth, website traffic, and conversion outcomes.

Other Duties

• Attend and assist with special events, public programs, and field activities as needed for storytelling and content development, as directed by the Senior Director of Engagement and Development.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required

• At least two years of professional experience in writing, journalism, communications, social media management, or a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to independently research, interview, write, and edit compelling narrative content, including feature articles, profiles, or other long-form stories for public audiences.

• Excellent writing and editorial skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical subjects into accurate, accessible, and engaging stories.

• Demonstrated experience managing organizational social media accounts, including content planning, publishing, audience engagement, and performance evaluation.

• Ability to adapt original written content for different formats and audiences, including magazine articles, website features, fundraising communications, and social media.

• Strong interpersonal, interviewing, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage competing deadlines.

• Ability to work independently, incorporate editorial feedback, and maintain scientific accuracy and a consistent organizational voice.

Preferred

• Experience writing about conservation, wildlife, environmental science, or related subjects.

• Experience producing content for non-profit publications, magazines, fundraising campaigns, or donor communications.

• Photography, short-form video production, and/or graphic design experience.

• Familiarity with Meta Business Suite, WordPress, Elementor, Canva, Adobe creative tools, or social media scheduling platforms.

• Experience using digital analytics and conversion-tracking tools to evaluate audience engagement and campaign performance.

• Experience collaborating with scientists, educators, or other subject matter experts to develop public-facing content.

Work Environment & Physical Environments:

• Flexible work arrangement with a required minimum of two days in the office. Regular in-person collaboration and meetings with the Senior Director, Development colleagues, and Science, Education, and Stewardship teams, and occasionally administrative and Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative staff.

• Work involves extended computer use and occasional participation in events, programs, and content-gathering activities.

• Bird Conservancy provides a laptop and necessary software; remote internet access is the employee’s responsibility.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references, and a portfolio containing at least three original writing samples demonstrating your ability to develop compelling, audience-focused stories. At least one piece should be a feature-length article, profile, or other narrative piece. Send materials to applicants@birdconservancy.org. Combine written materials into one PDF named Lastname_Firstname_ConservationStorytelling.pdf. Applications will be reviewed until December 11, 2026, with qualified candidates being interviewed as applications are received.