Summer Digital Design Individual Placement – Civil War Defenses of Washington

Job Overview

Title: Digital Design Intern with the Civil War Defenses of Washington

Location: Based out of Washington, DC (may include remote service opportunities) 

Position Dates: May 28th, 2024 – August 16th, 2024  (12-week term) 

Pay: $600/week paid biweekly 

Status: This is a full-time, temporary, 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position. 

Questions? Contact [email protected]  

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application. Applications will be accepted until March 31st.  

Appalachian Conservation Corps:  

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term, as well as providing a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.  

Civil War Defenses of Washington: 

The Civil War Defenses of Washington’s mission is the inform the public of the history of the Civil War to Civil Rights in the Greater DC Area and across the United States. On forested hills surrounding the nation’s capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world’s most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 17 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service. 

Position Summary: 

As a graphic design intern, your responsibilities will revolve around supporting the creative team in producing visual content for various mediums, including billboards, flyers, videos, social media, and websites. Here’s a breakdown of the typical duties you might expect:

Assisting with Visual Content Creation: Work closely with senior designers to conceptualize and create visual assets for different marketing materials. This could involve designing graphics, layouts, and illustrations for billboards, flyers, social media posts, website banners, etc.

Video Editing Support: Help with video editing tasks, which may include trimming footage, adding effects or transitions, and optimizing videos for different platforms. Familiarity with video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro would be beneficial.

Clerical Duties: While your focus will be on graphic design tasks, you may also be asked to assist with clerical duties to support the overall operations of the team. This could include tasks such as staffing the information desk, answering phones, and handling mail or shipments.

Collaboration and Communication: Work collaboratively with other team members to ensure that visual content aligns with the overall brand guidelines and marketing objectives. Effective communication skills are essential for understanding project requirements and providing updates on your progress.

Time Management: Manage your time effectively to meet project deadlines and prioritize tasks accordingly. This may involve juggling multiple projects simultaneously, so being organized and able to work efficiently is important.

Attention to Detail: Pay close attention to detail to ensure that all visual assets meet quality standards and are free from errors or inconsistencies. This includes checking for spelling mistakes, color accuracy, and proper formatting.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Be adaptable and willing to take on new challenges or tasks as needed.  

In addition, the IPs will be encouraged to attend NPS-sponsored trainings and have opportunities to study the fundamentals of interpretation and site-specific topics related to the natural and cultural history of Washington DC and surrounding states. 

By fulfilling these responsibilities effectively, you will not only contribute to the success of the creative team but also gain valuable hands-on experience in graphic design and related areas. 

Housing is not provided.  

Benefits:  

• $600/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly   
• $1,824.07 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 450 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)  
• $591 budget for Professional Development, travel or research purposes 
• Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions. 
• Possible federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  
• Subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered   
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements  
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

General Qualifications: 

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

• Ability to work independently 
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Students of Education, American History, Earth Sciences, journalism, communications, and other relevant fields are welcome.  
• Digital Media experience including photography, videography, and graphic design. 
• Knowledge of lessons plans and teaching methods at one or more grade levels.  
• Experience working in settings with children. 
• Familiarity with document and multimedia accessibility following Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (https://www.section508.gov/create/pdfs) 

How to Apply: 

In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements 

Our Promise: 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.