Outreach Program Assistant

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is looking for a community-oriented team member in Decatur, AL to contribute to education and engagement initiatives and lead outreach conservation efforts for the Sandhill Crane and endangered Whooping Crane. This full time LTE opportunity is for 7 months, starting September 2025 and ending March 2026 with a salary of $16.00 an hour. The first month you’ll be at our headquarters in Baraboo, WI for training and then head to Decatur. Housing will be provided at no cost to the incumbent in Baraboo and through our partnership with Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, located at 2700 Refuge Headquarters Rd Decatur, AL 35603.

What is it like to work at ICF? Prepare to be surrounded by people who are passionate for our mission, dedicated to the organization and engaged with their fellow staff and associates. Our ICF team is committed to fulfilling the dream that started 50 years ago.

About the Role

The Outreach Program Assistant supports the mission of ICF by leading outreach programs, forming community-based partnerships, coordinating volunteers, resolving threats to cranes, and collaborating with wildlife refuge staff to preserve and grow the Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane populations. The position is based at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, AL. The incumbent will be supported by the Outreach Biologist and work closely with the Outreach Biologist Assistant. In this unique position, you will take the lead on all aspects of ICF’s Whooping Crane outreach program in Alabama, helping to build a strong local network of support for the cranes, their habitat, and their continued recovery. You will also contribute to monitoring efforts for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes and Greater Sandhill Cranes during their time on the wintering grounds.

Your work will center on engaging communities near crane use areas through a variety of educational and outreach programs. From in-person and virtual presentations in K-12 classrooms to talks with birding clubs, hunting groups, civic organizations, and zoo visitors, you’ll tailor messages to help diverse audiences understand and support crane conservation.

You’ll be instrumental in forming and maintaining meaningful relationships with landowners, volunteers, hunters, and agency partners. These connections are critical in building a network of people who can help monitor and protect these remarkable birds on the landscape.

In addition, you’ll assist ICF staff in broader outreach efforts throughout Alabama. This includes participating in media interviews, writing articles or social media content, leading naturalist hikes or programs, and helping to distribute educational materials across the region.

A key part of your role will involve training and coordinating volunteers to support outreach efforts. You’ll also work closely with hunters and educators through in-person and online hunter education programs, helping to reduce threats to cranes by increasing awareness and understanding.

Lastly, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that outreach activities and field observations are accurately recorded in a shared database in a timely manner, contributing valuable data that supports ICF’s ongoing research and evaluation.

Qualifications Required

We’re searching for someone who’s passionate about wildlife and enjoys connecting with people from all walks of life. If the following sounds like you, you might be a great fit for this role:

• You have a bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, education, or a related field-or you bring equivalent experience and enthusiasm for conservation work.
• You’ll need a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, access to a vehicle for travel around Alabama. (Don’t worry-your mileage will be reimbursed!)
• You enjoy speaking to groups, whether it’s in a classroom, at a community event, or online, and you’re comfortable working with a variety of people and organizations.
• Are you organized and tech-savvy? Need to have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
• You’ve delivered programs or presentations virtually and are comfortable using online platforms to engage your audience.

 

How to Apply: Apply in minutes by going to: https://savingcranes.org/careers/. The deadline to apply is August 18, 2025.

Join us in protecting cranes and the ecosystems they inhabit-together, we can make a difference! ICF hires great people and is an equal opportunity employer.