Communications Plan Internship

The Outreach Coordination (OC) Office at the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) in St. Petersburg is seeking a communications plan intern for the Summer 2009 semester. The intern will work with outreach, media relations, and scientific staff at the St. Petersburg office developing a written communications plan for the topic of red tide. The intern will develop the plan with consideration to the RPIE (Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation) approach. The intern will review existing communication efforts, tools, and products, as part of the plan development process.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with intern coordinator and office staff to assess existing resources.
• Review and assess existing red tide public communication practices and tools, including products available from other organizations.
• Work with intern coordinator and office staff to set up meetings with appropriate scientific staff.
• Meet with scientists to learn about and discuss current research projects and public communication needs.
• Use staff and printed resources to develop a written communication plan that identifies clear objectives regarding red tide communications. The plan should align with the goal of enhancing FWRI's effectiveness in communicating clear, accurate and timely information related to red tide research in Florida.

Basic Qualifications:

• Junior- or Senior-level college student working towards a degree in a journalism- or public relations-related field.
• Independent critical thinker, deadline and detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple project components.
• Working knowledge of the Internet and Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to communicate with an array of scientists with varying backgrounds.
• Excellent writing skills, including an ability to compose clear and concise written procedures that will guide communications efforts.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret basic scientific and technical information.

If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, you will need to send us the following information:

1. A cover letter describing your area(s) of interest and the dates, days, and hours when you will be available.
2. A résumé describing your training and experience
3. An unofficial copy of your academic transcript
4. Three samples of your writing

Please send these three items to the following address:

Or you may submit them as an e-mail attachment: