Public Affairs and Partnerships Resource Assistant

Tonto National Forest – Supervisor’s Office

Length:Term of positions is 52 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk

Location:2324 E McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85006

Compensation:$15 /hour, plus $1000 housing allowance (pre-tax, $250.00/week)

Start Date:October 28th, 2024

Application Due Date:Preference given to applicants that submit application by at least six weeks prior to start date.

Position TitlePublic Affairs and Partnerships Resource Assistant

Position Details

Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Stewards in partnership with Tonto National Forest will provide a unique opportunity to collaborate internally and externally across program areas and with stakeholders. The Tonto National Forest is located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona and boasts one of the largest recreation programs in the nation. With nearly 3 million acres of land and 600,000 acres of wilderness, there is no shortage of opportunities to engage with interested partners, public, and local communities.

The Partnerships and Public Affairs offices work closely on providing information to the public regarding partnership projects, highlights, accomplishments, events, and opportunities. This Resource Assistant position will assist in building a foundation for public communications regarding partners and partnership projects. This intern would help both program areas collaborate, streamline processes, and develop best practices for internal and external communications.

Position Responsibilities will include:

• Producing Content and materials: Digital and print including, social media, articles, newsletters, infographics, data analysis, webpages, brochures, and more.
• Event Coordination: public outreach and education, tabling, volunteer events, staff outings, campaigns, youth crews, and more.
• Partnership building: Maintaining and fostering new relationships with partners, assisting with grants and proposals, assisting with agreement packages, coordinating and facilitating meetings, public speaking, leveraging funding, managing existing projects, collaborating and more.

Minimum Requirements:

• Communication Skills: Public Speaking, people skills, and written communications
• Problem Solving Skills: Ability to locate information, research, find creative solutions, self-driven
• Physical abilities: Must be able to lift up to 20lbs, hike short distances outdoors in uneven terrain and uncomfortable (but not unsafe) weather conditions.
• Basic knowledge of Office software including Word, Power Point, Excel, Teams, PDF, etc.
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have High School Diploma/GED
• Must have or be able to obtain a post-secondary degree by end of service (Associate’s or Higher)
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by Conservation Legacy (over 21 years old or drivers license for at least three years).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Graphic design or creative software i.e. Photoshop, Creative Suite, In-Design
• Experience with writing: Articles, social media content, etc.
• Knowledge of public land management
• Knowledge of marketing and communications
• Photography or Videography experience
• Enjoyment of Outdoors

Benefits:

• $1,000.00/month housing allowance. (pre-tax)
• $50/monthly commuting allowance. (pre-tax)
• $4,750.00 Professional Development and Travel fund.
• Eligible for Health Benefits after 60 Days of Employment.
• On-the-job training related to position responsibilities.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions as well as a Direct Hire Authority for FS Career positions.