Producing Climate Science Videos Internship

NPS Unit:

Associate Directorate for Interpretation and Education

Project Title:

Producing Climate Science Videos for Interpreters

Location:  

Washington, DC

Position Description:

Climate change is affecting all national parks. National Park Service interpreters have unparalleled opportunities to educate the public about climate change and its effects on parks, communities, and visitors. One essential essential aspect of that education is ensuring that all people – both park visitors and the interpreters themselves – understand the basic science of climate change.

Our goal is to increase scientific literacy by producing short (< 10 minute) on-line videos that address a variety of issues related to the science of climate change and its effects on national parks. The intended audience is interpretive rangers, who can view the videos informally on their own or more formally in the context of professional training courses. The videos will clearly explain essential scientific concepts and examine how scientists study and draw conclusions about climate change. Topics might include sea level rise, ocean acidification, changing wildfire regimes, altered hydrology, shifts in the distribution and phenology of species, etc. Both natural resources and cultural/historic resources will be included. The videos may include footage of climate-related phenomena in the parks, interviews with research scientists and park staff, and possibly demonstrations that can be used by interpreters in their public programs.

The intern will work with staff in Interpretation and Education, the Climate Change Response Program, and the Harpers Ferry Training Center, who will provide general guidance and direction for achieving the educational and professional development objectives of the project. The intern will have a great deal of independence and latitude in nearly all aspects of pre-production, production, and post-production. The project will require occasional paid overnight travel to national parks to film on site.

Learning goals:

The intern can expect to learn a lot about climate change processes and impacts specific to parks, the methods and logic of the science that is used to understand those processes and impacts, and the best ways to communicate that science through short-format films to an audience of professional interpreters. By working with NPS leadership and park staff, the intern will have a unique opportunity to learn how art, science, resource management, and education can be integrated to advance the  mission of the National Park Service in the 21^st century.

Products:

2-5 brief (<10 minute) digital videos for distribution to interpretive rangers and, ultimately, all NPS park and program staff.

Qualifications:

Required: Training and experience in short-format video production, including storyboarding, scriptwriting, production of shot lists, effective outdoor videography, and editing. Free access to DC-area university’s video equipment and production facilities. A demonstrated knowedge and interest in science and environmental issuess. Introductory coursework in one or more scientific fields. Experience filming in outdoor settings, including wilderness areas, difficult terrain, inclement weather, biting insects, etc. Ability to travel to national parks for a few days at a time.

Desired: Knoweldege, experience, and interest in science communication and education. Knowledge of climate change and its effects.

NOTE: Applicants must include a link to an on-line portfolio of their video work.

Position Dates:

Early June through September (summer internship). Dates are flexible; internship could extend into fall semester if needed.

Housing Available:

Housing is not available.

Vehicle Required:

A vehicle is not required. Any daily commuting expenses (e.g. Metro fare) must be paid by the intern.

Work Environment:

Filming will be conducted mostly  in national parks. Some filming may be done in difficult terrain with biting insects, wind, sun, hot or cold temperatures, etc. Travelling by foot, boat, and car with camera gear is expected. Some filming may be done indoors, including film/sound studios. Editing and other post-production must be done in the intern’s university video facilities. Other work will be done in a government office and will require several hours’ sitting but no lifting.