Editorial Fellow, Audubon Magazine

About Audubon 

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

Audubon magazine is offering an exciting opportunity to join our editorial team as an Editorial Fellow, working on both digital stories for Audubon.org and our quarterly print magazine. As the flagship publication of the National Audubon Society, our reporting both celebrates our fascination with birds and probes pressing planetary issues, including biodiversity loss, habitat conservation, climate change, and more. The magazine also emphasizes, through stories and visuals, the importance of a diverse and inclusive science and conservation effort to help meet the challenges facing birds and people today. In 2021, Audubon won a National Magazine Award for “General Excellence”—the highest honor in the magazine industry—for our exceptional work across platforms.

As a full-time fellow, the selected applicant will have the chance to be a valuable member of our team, contributing both digital and print content and getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be an editor at a major publication. This fellowship is a training ground for a long-term, successful career in journalism. Ideal candidates will have strong writing and communication skills as well as an interest in covering topics ranging from science and conservation news to environmental and social justice. Immersed in the day-to-day operations, the fellow will hone the skill of creating fresh and accurate content on fast-paced deadlines and develop a stronger ability to tell longer, engaging narrative stories. The intent is for fellows to gain experience, published work, and job savvy that will help them land a staff job or launch a successful freelance career.  

This position is classified as hybrid preferred. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Remote work within the United States may be considered only for candidates not within commuting distance of an Audubon office, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Audubon offices include locations in:

Albuquerque, NM; Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL; and Washington, DC.

To apply, please upload a one-page cover letter, one-page resume, and links to three to five writing samples. The links can be included in the cover letter. 

Schedule: 35 hours per week

Projected term of employment:

January 2027 – June 2027

Compensation:

$21.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Pitch and write articles for Audubon.org, working closely with the digital team to turn around news stories on tight deadlines while also developing longer reported pieces. May also assign and edit stories under supervision of the digital editorial director.
• Assist the print staff with research, story development, and fact-checking and contribute written stories for various sections of Audubon magazine.
• Help identify and write SEO and high-engagement stories that satisfy a variety of needs, from being a valuable resource on our site to getting featured in magazine newsletters.
• Dive into the backend of Audubon’s website to build stories and maintain content; explore potential tools for creating innovative new ways of telling stories.
• Attend and participate in weekly editorial meetings to run through stories in development and plan future coverage.
• Help us track and expand our efforts to increase diversity among our sources, writers, and even in the topics we cover. 
• Maintains and fosters a culture of safety.
• Other duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Graduate-level journalism classes or degree; or relevant work or field experience. 
• Experience reporting and writing stories, preferably for online and in print.
• Experience honing story ideas and promoting content through social media.
• An avid interest in science, wildlife, and environmental issues, including how they affect birds and people. 
• Experience with multimedia and content management systems a plus.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.