Spring 2027 Internship

Dates: January 15, 2027 – April 15, 2027
Location: Salt Lake City Area

About the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA)

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) is a nonprofit organization made up of people like you — folks from across the country who share a deep commitment to preserving Utah’s remaining desert wildlands, known collectively as America’s redrock wilderness.

Joining our team means getting hands-on experience in the day-to-day world of nonprofit grassroots organizing. You’ll gain insight into environmental campaign planning, education, outreach, and activism — all while helping protect some of the most spectacular landscapes in the nation.

Click here to download the internship description as a PDF

About the Internship

SUWA is seeking a Spring intern to support our Utah Organizer with grassroots outreach and community-building efforts. This is a great opportunity to develop organizing skills, network with other environmental groups, and make a real impact in the conservation movement.

Responsibilities

• Represent SUWA at community events, festivals, and conferences.
• Help organize, promote, and carry out events that advance the protection of Utah’s redrock wilderness.
• Educate and engage new community members on wilderness protection

Qualifications

• You enjoy talking with people and are comfortable reaching out by email, phone, and in person.
• You’re organized, reliable, and meet deadlines without needing constant reminders.
• You’re creative, self-driven, and able to manage projects over several months.
• You’re passionate about nature, public lands, cultural heritage, and/or tackling the climate crisis.
• You demonstrate cultural competency and respect for Indigenous traditions and relationships with the land.

Timeline & Compensation

• Duration: January 15^th – April 15^th, 2027 (with potential to extend)
• Hours: Approximately 10 hours per week
• Stipend: $800/month $2,400 total for 3 months

Location & Travel

This internship is based in the greater Salt Lake City area. Occasional travel within the region may be required for events. Travel costs will be covered or otherwise accommodated on a case-by-case basis.

Interested?

Please submit a resume and cover letter via email to Mimi Ortega, SUWA Utah Grassroots Organizer, mimi@suwa.org. Additional documents will not be reviewed. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Application deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026.

Please use the following naming conventions in your application email:
• Email subject: SUWA Spring 2027 Organizing Intern
• Resume attachment: LastNameFirstInital_Resume
• Cover Letter attachment: LastNameFirstInital_CoverLetter

Location: Mid-Atlantic & Northeastern States with easy access (via plane or train) for regular travel to Washington, DC & Salt Lake City, UT; can also be based out of SUWA’s Washington, DC Office. 
Department: Campaigns
Team: Organizing
Reports to: Regional Organizing Manager
Salary Range: $72,000 – $77,000
Status & Benefits: Full-time, Non-Exempt. Benefits information below.

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), Utah’s largest conservation organization, has an immediate opening for an East Coast Organizer. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, a writing sample of your choosing (a link to materials online is fine), and three references to the East Coast Organizer Hiring Team at jobs@suwa.org.  The deadline to submit your application is Monday, November 23, 2026. Please include your name and the words “East Coast Organizer” in the subject line.

Of note: This position is open to individuals currently residing in or willing to relocate to a Mid-Atlantic or Northeastern US State with easy access (via plane or train) for regular travel to Washington, DC & Salt Lake City, UT; they can also be based out of SUWA’s Washington, DC Office. 

Click here to view this job description as a PDF

Position Summary 

The Regional Organizer builds and sustains grassroots power across a multi-state region in support of SUWA’s mission. Working within the Campaigns Department and collaboratively with other program teams, this position implements organizing tactics within their region; identifies opportunities for influence, recruits and develops advocates and emerging leaders, and builds coalition and constituent relationships. The Regional Organizer represents SUWA to the general public, elected officials and their staff, and coalition and Tribal partners. They mobilize activists nationally, especially when developments require a rapid, coordinated grassroots response outside of Utah by activating individuals, building networks, and engaging with regional coalitions.  

This is a dynamic, travel-intensive role suited to someone who thrives in field and community-based environments, communicates and coordinates well across diverse coalition spaces, and is comfortable balancing independent judgment in the field with close collaboration across teams. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

Campaign Strategy & Grassroots Organizing 

• Contribute to the design, evaluation, and adaptation of regional campaign strategy; enacts tactics in response to legislative, legal, and political developments. 

• Build and sustain a regional network of grassroots advocates and volunteers; recruit, mentor, and develop emerging leaders through training, coaching, and leadership pipelines. 

• Cultivate constituent power in priority states, districts, and communities, and in coordination with other SUWA staff leverage that power to meet the organization’s goals.. 

• In consultation with Regional Organizing Manager, recruit, supervise, and support interns, fellows, and contractors. 

Federal Advocacy & Coalition Building 

• Advance federal legislative and administrative priorities through coordinated advocacy, grassroots mobilization, public comment campaigns, earned media, and coalition action. 

• Build and strengthen relationships with conservation organizations, Tribal partners, outdoor industry leaders, educators, and other allied stakeholders; represent SUWA in regional and national coalitions. 

• Prepare advocates and partners for effective engagement with elected officials and federal agencies, and translate complex public lands policy into clear, compelling public narratives. 

Events, Training & Public Engagement 

• Lead the planning and execution of advocacy events, fly-ins, rallies, and trainings; deliver presentations as a public spokesperson for SUWA. 

• Work collaboratively with other Regional Organizers to refine leadership curricula and advocacy training that build skills and capacity among advocates and emerging leaders. 

Operations & Project Management 

• Manage multiple concurrent campaigns, work plans, timelines, and regional budgets. 

• Track supporter engagement and campaign performance through CRM systems and produce evaluations and reports to inform organizational planning. 

Other Duties & Responsibilities 

• Support organizational retreats, publications, donor and member engagement, and other special initiatives connected to campaign goals; perform other duties as assigned to advance SUWA’s mission. 

Work Environment & Travel Requirements 

• Work independently in the field and collaboratively across teams, departments and time zones, exercising sound judgment. 

• Travel occasionally within the region, national travel may occur during periods of urgent conservation threats or rapid-response mobilization; work evenings and weekends as campaign priorities require. 

• Regular public speaking and presentation responsibilities; ability to transport outreach and event materials up to 50 lbs. 

• Work performed in office, community, travel, remote, and public settings. 

Training & Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required for the role — the ideal candidate will have all or some of these qualifications. If you don’t have all of them, apply anyway and tell us about your skills and experience. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups.

Required Qualifications 

• A passion for SUWA’s mission of conservation of wilderness lands in Utah and a strong desire to connect people to action in service to these lands.  

• Demonstrated experience in grassroots organizing, campaign management, or community engagement, across multiple states or regions a plus 

• Aptitude and inclination for building relationships across diverse constituencies, including Congressional offices, and to recruit, train, and manage volunteers or activist networks within region. 

• Strong organizational, budgeting, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills 

• Ability to travel extensively (frequently 25–75%+ depending on programming needs), maintain a flexible schedule, and a valid driver’s license 

• Computer literacy including Google and MS Office products, plus database/CRM tools 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in advocacy, campaigns, public affairs, conservation, political strategy, or coalition work 

• Knowledge and/or experience in land conservation, environmental advocacy, or related policy work; knowledge of wilderness conservation or federal land management 

• Experience building coalitions with allied organizations; familiarity with legislative or regulatory processes 

• Curriculum development or training/facilitation experience; experience representing organizations in public-facing or spokesperson roles 

• Bilingual or multilingual skills; ties to Utah a plus but not required 

Location: Any SUWA Office: Salt Lake City (preferred), Moab, or Washington, DC
Department: Campaigns
Team: Communications
Reports to: Senior Communications Manager
Salary Range: $57,000 – 62,000
Status & Benefits: Full-time, Non-Exempt. Benefits information below.

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), Utah’s largest conservation organization, has an immediate opening for a Writer and Communications Specialist. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, three writing or content samples (links to materials online are fine) that showcase a range of writing styles, and three references to Diane Kelly, Senior Communications Manager, at jobs@suwa.org. The deadline to submit your application is Monday, November 9, 2026. Please include your name and the words “Writer and Communications Specialist” in the subject line.

Click here to download the job description as a PDF

Position Summary 

The Writer and Communications Specialist is a new role at SUWA and will serve as an in-house writer and social media manager for the organization. A member of the Communications Team (alongside two other staff members), they will work across the organization and use their skills primarily to support programmatic and campaign work (protecting the redrock wilderness). The Specialist should be a motivated communications professional with experience writing for a variety of audiences and on behalf of an organization and other staff members. Experience in advocacy, social media, and multichannel content creation as well as comfort working in what can be a fast-paced environment is ideal. Attention to detail and flexibility with evolving information and deadlines will be key.  

SUWA’s Communications Team and the larger Campaign Department (which includes both the Communications and Organizing Teams) are collaborative and value creative problem-solving. We are proactive and plan ahead when possible but remain nimble so we can seize new opportunities as they arise. The Writer and Communications Specialist will have the opportunity to work collaboratively and to create or edit a wide variety of public-facing materials, as well as information used by SUWA’s members and grassroots activists. This role presents a great opportunity to learn and grow with other communications professionals while making an impact at an effective nonprofit.  

Duties & Responsibilities

Writing and Content Creation (40%) 

• Creates or edits a variety of public-facing materials (press releases, emails, advocacy actions, newsletter articles, paper alerts, fact sheets, blog posts, etc.), ensuring they meet SUWA style guide and consistency. 

• Creates or edits a variety of materials (talking points, backgrounders, educational materials, etc.) for use by SUWA staff or members. May draft materials for use by partner organizations, activists, or other individuals.  

• Works closely with the Campaigns and Communications Director during rapid response moments on SUWA’s external response and outreach.  

• Works closely with other Communications Team staff to modify the materials above for use across various SUWA platforms, especially social media.  

Social Media Management (40%) 

• Posts on SUWA’s social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram Bluesky, LinkedIn, etc.); interacts with users and responds to social media messages, inquiries, and comments with the goal of maintaining a robust online community and encouraging deeper engagement. Works with the Organizing and Stewardship Teams to identify new activists from social media and connects these activists to the appropriate team for continued engagement.  

• Develops and utilizes an editorial calendar specifically for social media, with a pool of “evergreen” content. Social media graphics will be created in coordination with other Communications Team members.  

• Creates and utilizes social listening practices to better understand the digital landscape of SUWA’s issues, online advocates, and overall brand reputation. 

Communications Team Projects (10%) 

• Cross-trained on production of advocacy actions and email blasts; assists Senior Communications Manager on print newsletter, mailed alerts, and any other special projects. Supports the Senior Communications Manager with ongoing website maintenance (general content, forms, blog posts, online store, etc.) and the editing, formatting, and sending of emails (as needed). 

• Analyzes and makes recommendations to improve other teams’ use of the SUWA digital engagement tools. 

• Represents Communications Team and Campaigns Department during internal meetings and in collaborations with other teams across the organization.  

Other Duties & Responsibilities (10%) 

• May assist Development Team with writing or editing copy as needed. 

• Supports organizational retreats, publications, donor and member engagement, and other special initiatives connected to campaign goals; performs other duties as assigned to advance SUWA’s mission. 

Work Environment & Travel Requirements 

• Works independently and collaboratively across teams, departments, and time zones, exercising sound judgment in dynamic political and advocacy environments. 

• Travels occasionally within the region, with national travel during urgent conservation threats or rapid-response mobilization; works evenings and weekends as campaign priorities require. 

• Assists SUWA staff with public speaking and presentation responsibilities; ability to transport outreach and event materials up to 50 lbs; work performed in office, community, travel, remote, and public settings. 

Training & Qualifications 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required for the role — the ideal candidate will have all or some of these qualifications. If you don’t have all of them, apply anyway and tell us about your skills and experience. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups.

• 2+ years of relevant experience, or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

• Commitment to wilderness preservation and SUWA’s mission. The ideal candidate will have a background in, or at least a strong interest in, conservation and/or environmental issues. 

• Strong writing, communication, presentation, time management, planning, and interpersonal skills. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of social media and proficiency with major social media platforms. 

• Demonstrated experience with CMS and CRM platforms, WordPress, and online advocacy action platforms.  

• Computer literacy, including MS Office products: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.  

• Diplomacy, sound judgment, and discretion when dealing with members, potential members, and other staff. 

• High degree of energy, self-motivation, and flexibility; Strong work ethic with a positive attitude. 

• Ability to perform multiple tasks effectively with a focus on timeliness and responsiveness. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with Adobe Products (InDesign, Photoshop, Express, etc.), Canva, or other programs. 
• Experience in advocacy, campaigns, public affairs, conservation, political strategy, or coalition work; knowledge of wilderness conservation, public lands policy, or federal.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills; ties to Utah a plus but not required.