Outreach Program Assistant

International Crane Foundation • Decatur, AL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is seeking a community-oriented team member in Decatur, AL to support education and engagement initiatives and lead outreach conservation efforts for the Sandhill Crane and endangered Whooping Crane. This is a full-time, 7-month limited-term employment (LTE) opportunity, starting September 2026 and ending March 2027, with a wage of $17.00 per hour. The first month will involve training at ICF headquarters in Baraboo, WI, followed by the remainder of the term in Decatur, AL. Housing will be provided at no cost in Baraboo, and through a partnership with Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur. The Outreach Program Assistant will support ICF's mission by leading outreach programs, building community partnerships, coordinating volunteers, addressing threats to cranes, and collaborating with wildlife refuge staff to preserve and grow crane populations. This role will take the lead on ICF's Whooping Crane outreach program in Alabama, focusing on building local support for crane recovery. The work involves engaging communities near crane use areas through various educational and outreach programs, including presentations for K-12 classrooms, birding clubs, hunting groups, civic organizations, and zoo visitors, tailoring messages for diverse audiences. The assistant will also support broader outreach efforts in Alabama, including media interviews, content creation for social media, leading naturalist hikes, and distributing educational materials. A key responsibility is forming and maintaining relationships with volunteers, hunters, and agency partners, as well as training and coordinating volunteers. The role includes working with hunters and educators through hunter education programs to reduce threats to cranes by increasing awareness. Finally, the assistant will be responsible for accurately recording outreach activities in a shared database.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biology, conservation, or a related field
• Valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel
• Experience with public speaking
• Experience cultivating and maintaining diverse partnerships
• Experience engaging and supporting volunteers
• Experience delivering educational or outreach programs through online platforms
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively connect with a variety of audiences in both in-person and virtual settings

Responsibilities

• Lead outreach programs
• Form community-based partnerships
• Coordinate volunteers
• Resolve threats to cranes
• Collaborate with wildlife refuge staff
• Take the lead on all aspects of ICF's Whooping Crane outreach program in Alabama
• Engage communities near crane use areas through a variety of educational and outreach programs
• Tailor messages to help diverse audiences understand and support crane conservation
• Participate in media interviews
• Write articles or social media content
• Lead naturalist hikes or programs
• Help to distribute educational materials across the region
• Form and maintain meaningful relationships with volunteers, hunters, and agency partners
• Train and coordinate volunteers to support outreach efforts
• Work closely with hunters and educators through in-person and online hunter education programs
• Ensure that outreach activities are accurately recorded in a shared database in a timely manner

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement is provided
• Housing will be provided at no cost in Baraboo
• Housing provided through partnership with Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level