Friends of Plant Conservation - Social Media Internship
Term: March 2025-October 2025 (~6 months)
Applications review will start February 20, 2025, with the position open until filled.
The social media intern will build their expertise and experience in digital communication and plant conservation through sharing stories about plant conservation in North Carolina, focusing on the state agency, the NC Plant Conservation Program, and their partner organization, Friends of Plant Conservation. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in the FoPC organization, attend meetings and field trips, and learn about rare plants and their conservation.
Job Description and Responsibilities:
The Friends of Plant Conservation (FoPC) Social Media Intern is responsible for populating the FoPC social media pages (primarily Instagram and Facebook) with content relevant to FoPC members.
● The intern is expected to contribute at least one (1) post every week. Posts will be a combination of video, images, and text, which will be determined by the intern and their
supervisor. Interns should strive to create posts that highlight work of the NC Plant Conservation Program, or educate viewers on rare plants and their conservation.
● At the start of the internship, the intern should meet with the FoPC Board Member at their home institution to map out a communication schedule for the year. All posts must be pre-approved by either their Board contact or NC PCP staff. A limited number of hashtags should be created by the intern and approved to help organize content. [new tags like #NCPCP, #NCPlantConservationProgram, or #RarePlantWednesday–existing tags could be considered a way to boost engagement, as long as our posts aren’t lost.]
● At least one post each month should highlight a species actively being managed through the NC Plant Conservation Program, and one post each month should highlight one of the NC PCP preserves.
● Good and accurate photos are a must; posts should highlight plant conservation, focused on North Carolina and activities of the NC Plant Conservation Program and FoPC, but can also highlight plant conservation in the Southeast.
● Create and manage a LinkedTree page with updated information.
● Intern will be responsible for replying to comments, interacting with posts, and creating events.
● Encourage new followers on all platforms.
Benefits:
● A stipend of $500, paid quarterly in $250 increments;
● An opportunity to earn internship credit through the student’s home institution;
● Travel expenses (mileage and lodging) and recognition at the Friends of Plant Conservation Annual Meeting;
● Networking opportunities with botany and conservation professionals;
● Travel and workday participation at some of the NC Plant Conservation Program preserves;
● Building media skills and a digital media portfolio.
● Building knowledge and expertise in rare plants, plant conservation, and plant protection.
Qualifications:
● Candidates must be a student at a current Board member’s institution (Appalachian State University, NC State University, or Warren Wilson College) for the duration of the internship.
● Candidates must have an interest in NC plant conservation and rare plant species and telling their stories for a public audience. Preference will be given to students majoring in a related field (botany, natural resources, conservation biology, ecology, forestry, environmental science, etc.).
● Candidates must have some experience with digital media: photography, video, video editing, and excellent written communication.
● Candidates must have some experience with social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
● Prefer willingness and ability to participate in volunteer workdays and FoPC Board Meetings; some may require travel (mileage will be reimbursed or can coordinate with a Board Member for a ride).