Urban Forestry Outreach & Communications Intern

City of Olympia•Cocoa, FL

3d•$23 - $26•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Olympia is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP). This comprehensive roadmap will help the City achieve the following goals: 1) Protect or establish tree canopy in areas where environmental, social, and economic benefits are the most equitable and impactful; and 2) Advance the City’s climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience outcomes. The recommended policies, programs, and operational updates will strike a balance between environmental health and sustainable urban growth. A successful UFMP will ensure that both the benefits and challenges of tree canopy in urban, residential, and natural areas are distributed equitably across Olympia’s communities. An inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to gathering public input is essential to anchoring Olympia’s Urban Forest Management Plan in the vision, needs, and experiences of Olympia’s communities. Based on individual skills and interests, the Urban Forestry Outreach and Communications Intern will support some or all of the following public engagement activities: Develop a public-facing, interactive online storymap using geographic information systems (GIS) and data from Olympia’s recent Tree Canopy Assessment Draft maps, surveys, newsletter articles, social media content, flyers, and other outreach materials to promote public involvement Participate in preparation and implementation of community workshops, tabling events, and public meetings Assist in organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing data Provide additional research and/or GIS work based on Intern’s specific skills and interests, including (but not limited to): Balancing tree protection with housing and development needs Identifying opportunities to advance equity and environmental justice outcomes Utilizing tree canopy and green infrastructure to manage stormwater Identifying priority areas for increasing tree canopy to reduce urban heat islands

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree program for the Fall 2026 academic year or sooner. Students graduating in Spring or Summer 2026 are also eligible through the end of September, 2026.
Experience using ESRI ArcPro software for basic data analysis, developing maps, and creating storymaps
General understanding of the benefits and challenges of trees and forests in both the built and natural environment
General understanding of environmental and climate justice issues and/or an interest in learning more about promoting equity in environmental work
Excellent editing and communication skills across various formats: Email, newsletters, social media, graphics, maps, team meetings, public speaking
Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams

Nice To Haves

Interested in one or more of the following topics: Urban or environmental planning, community engagement, education, climate resilience, environmental justice, GIS, urban ecology, urban forestry, policymaking
Curious and creative, willing to ask questions and ‘think outside the box’
Comfortable working independently to meet multiple deadlines and also collaborating as part of a project team
Able and willing to collaborate respectfully with people of all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age, religion, nationality, or cultural background

Responsibilities

Develop a public-facing, interactive online storymap using geographic information systems (GIS) and data from Olympia’s recent Tree Canopy Assessment
Draft maps, surveys, newsletter articles, social media content, flyers, and other outreach materials to promote public involvement
Participate in preparation and implementation of community workshops, tabling events, and public meetings
Assist in organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing data
Provide additional research and/or GIS work based on Intern’s specific skills and interests, including (but not limited to): Balancing tree protection with housing and development needs, Identifying opportunities to advance equity and environmental justice outcomes, Utilizing tree canopy and green infrastructure to manage stormwater, Identifying priority areas for increasing tree canopy to reduce urban heat islands