Communications Intern

Save Ohio Parks was founded by Ohio citizens in 2023 after the Ohio legislature passed a law mandating fracking of our state parks, wildlife areas, and other public lands. We work to educate Ohio citizens about the harms of fracking and engage them in public comments regarding public lands nominated for fracking. We also act to hold state agencies and politicians as well as oil and gas companies accountable for their actions. We have a statewide mailing list, a significant media presence, monthly campaign meetings, and an active social media.

Save Ohio Parks is currently a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, and has a fiscal sponsor for our 501(c)(3) sister organization, Save Ohio Parks Education Fund. We are in the process of obtaining our own 501(c)(3) status. Currently organizational activities are entirely led and carried out by volunteers, including five steering committee / board members.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Intern is a new grant-funded position for calendar year 2025. This person will work with the president and steering committee to educate and mobilize Ohioans to take action to counter fracking on public lands. Key duties include:

• Content creation and distribution
  • Collaborate with board members and campaigns team to create compelling content that reaches a wide and diverse audience on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky.
  • Build and distribute advocacy actions and email newsletters through Action Network with content from board members and campaigns team, ensuring impact and a positive user experience.
  • Collaborate with board members and campaigns team to develop content for the organization’s website, including blog posts and standing web pages. Post new content and update existing content on the website using WordPress.
• Graphics and multimedia creation
  • Collaborate with board members and campaigns team to create graphics for multiple channels to support advocacy and editorial content.
  • Collaborate with board members and campaigns team to develop engaging videos that can be used in multiple channels.
  • Ensure the Save Ohio Parks digital brand is upheld throughout all communications.
• Event organization and management
  • Collaborate with board members and the campaigns team to drive attendance at meetings of the Oil and Gas Land Management Commision, which approves nominations to frack public land and awards bids for fracking.
  • Collaborate with board members and the campaigns team to organize and drive attendance to rallies and events against fracking Ohio parks and public lands.
  • Collaborate with board members and the campaigns team to publicize and drive attendance to speaking and educational events about fracking Ohio public lands.
• Public Relations & Media Outreach:
  • Track and monitor media coverage, compile media clips and maintain media lists.
  • Assist in crafting press releases, media advisories, and public statements to support the organization’s strategic goals.
• Analytics and audience growth
  • Track and monitor the performance of organizational communications across all channels including social media, email, and website.
  • Analyze performance data to determine which approaches work well, which do not, and how communications could be improved.
  • Work with board members and campaigns team to develop strategies to reach new audiences and drive audience and membership growth.
• Ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion, and especially environmental justice, are embedded in organizational communications across all channels.

We seek the following characteristics in qualified candidates:

• Basic skills:
  • Strong support for Save Ohio Parks mission of protecting public lands.
  • Experience in communications, public relations, digital marketing, or a related role – volunteer experience counts.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong multimedia skills in graphic design and short video editing.
  • Experience using content management, email marketing, and social media tools.
  • Project management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
  • Willingness to represent Save Ohio Parks at events.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively while meeting deadlines.
• Preferred skills:
  • Experience working with nonprofit, advocacy, and/or government organizations.
  • Facility with website management, graphic design, and multimedia tools.
  • Familiarity with metrics/analytics and data-driven communications strategies.
  • Proficiency in Google documents, Zoom, Action Network, WordPress, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky.

Position logistics

• We are seeking a Communications Intern for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025 semesters, though one person could continue for more than one semester.
• Pay is $20/hour, for up to 20 hours/week of work for up to 15 weeks in a semester, totaling up to $6000 for the semester.
• Work is performed remotely with occasional in person meetings. Hours are flexible, as long as the work product meets applicable deadlines. Applicants must be based in Ohio for the duration of this internship.
• Applications are open to upper level undergraduates or graduate students enrolled in or recently (within the past five years) graduated from a college or university in Ohio. Out-of-state and out-of-country applicants are not eligible for this internship unless they have a connection to a college or university in Ohio.
• Interns report to the President of the Save Ohio Parks board. We will be holding weekly meetings with our steering committee and interns to provide guidance and support.