Get Involved: Larimer County Open Space - Internship

Internship

Description:

Application deadline is March 7, 2025.

The Communications Intern connects people, nature, and place through engaging marketing, graphic design, and storytelling projects. Utilizing their creative skills, the intern will share the narrative of Larimer County Department of Natural Resources accomplishments, meaningful work, and conservation efforts.

This internship is a great opportunity to build a portfolio and gain hands-on experience in the field of community engagement. Interns can choose one of the two projects:

• Storytelling Project Internship
• Canva Design Internship

Requirements:
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.
• Provide your own laptop or other equipment.
• Passionate about learning and enthusiastic about sharing your knowledge with others.
• Friendly, courteous, respectful, flexible, and a team-player.
• Organized and takes initiative.
• Good time management skills and self-starter.
• Communicate regularly with staff via phone, text or email.
• Track volunteer hours on a weekly basis.
• Abide by all rules, regulations, and safety guidelines while on Larimer County property.

Time Commitment:

Approximately up to 12-16 hours per week, Monday-Friday; pending in the field work, intern goals, and university requirements. Exact hours are dependent upon projects, events, and other opportunities.

This internship will be hybrid – a mix of in-person and remote work. A laptop or other equipment is not provided, but a shared workstation may be provided with other temporary staff.

Volunteer Benefits:

While this internship is unpaid, it offers the following benefits:

• Potential for academic credit, based on university requirements (please check with your professor or advisor).
• Gain valuable experience in project management, research, multi-media production, and communications strategy focusing on conservation, recreation, and environmental stewardship
• Opportunity to build a professional portfolio of materials focused on environmental communication
• Hands-on experience creating professional designs for a real-world communications team.
• Mentorship from professionals in the field of natural resource management, communications, engagement, and project management.
• Create a lasting impact by preserving the legacy of a county department committed to communications, engagement, and project management.
• Complete 20+ volunteer hours in a calendar year & receive a LCDNR parking pass.

Documents:

 

Projects:

Storytelling Project Internship - Department History & 30th Help Preserve Open Space tax anniversary campaign. (May-November)

We are seeking an organized and creative Storytelling Intern to lead the project management and storytelling efforts for documenting the history of the Department of Natural Resources, including the 30th Anniversary of the Help Preserve Open Space tax in November 2025. This unique internship combines project management, research, copywriting, marketing, and graphic design to create a comprehensive and engaging narrative of our department's journey and accomplishments.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate directly with the DNR’s Communications Supervisor to complete the project.
• Develop a detailed project plan and timeline for completing the history documentation project.
• Conduct research by reviewing archival materials, reports, photographs, and other historical resources.
• Interview current and former staff, community members, and partners to gather firsthand accounts and insights.
• Craft engaging written narratives that tell the story of the department’s history, milestones, and impact.
• Develop, design, and collaborate to create visuals, marketing assets, and multimedia elements utilizing in-house programs and supports, such as a “mark” to commemorate the 30th year, timeline of milestones, brochure, signage, and/or other assets, into the final deliverable.
• Organize and catalog historical materials for future reference and use.
• Present progress updates to supervisors and other stakeholders.

 

Canva Design Internship (May-September)

We are seeking a talented and creative Canva Design Intern to join our Communications Team. This internship offers hands-on experience in designing visually compelling content to support outreach, education, and marketing campaigns through Canva. If you have a flair for design and a passion for creating engaging visuals, this is the perfect opportunity to build your skills and portfolio while contributing to meaningful environmental work.

Responsibilities:

• Create, organize, and maintain a shared library of Canva templates and assets for departmental use (flyers, signage, handouts, reports).
• Design eye-catching graphics, templates, video, and other visual assets using Canva for social media, email newsletters, presentations, and print materials.
• Support the development of infographics and other data visualization tools to communicate complex information in an accessible and engaging way.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to ensure consistent branding across all digital and print content.
• Work with team members to brainstorm creative concepts for campaigns and projects.

Skills:

Graphic Design, Visual Artist, Photography/Videography, Writing/Editing, Social Media Marketing