About Forum for Cultural Engagement

The Forum for Cultural Engagement (FCE) is a mission-driven organization that creates live, virtual programming to connect audiences with cultural and natural heritage. Unlike large media companies, FCE focuses on intimate, expert-led conversations that prioritize depth over spectacle. Working here means shaping a flagship series from the ground up, with real creative influence and a national platform for stories about America's national parks.

About the role

As the Series Curator & Moderator, you are the consistent host and creative architect for all 12 virtual programs, each dedicated to a different U.S. National Park. You will curate the park lineup, recommend and help secure diverse speakers, develop discussion questions, and moderate live conversations. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of storytelling, subject-matter expertise, and live production, and who wants to leave a lasting mark on how audiences understand and care for national parks.

A typical day

A typical day might involve a prep call with a tribal representative from Olympic National Park to shape discussion questions, followed by drafting a conversation flow for the next session and emailing potential speakers for a future park. You might also review promotional copy, coordinate with FCE's program team on sequencing, and rehearse your moderator notes for an upcoming live event. On program days, you'd host the live session, ensuring a smooth, engaging experience for both the speaker and the audience.

Who Forum for Cultural Engagement is looking for

Has deep knowledge of U.S. National Parks, including conservation, history, Indigenous heritage, science, and recreation, and can speak credibly about multiple parks.
Possesses a strong professional network of rangers, scientists, historians, tribal representatives, authors, artists, and outdoor guides who could serve as speakers.
Is an experienced live moderator or interviewer who can keep conversations engaging, inclusive, and on-theme across 12 monthly sessions.
Demonstrates exceptional curation skills: able to identify through-lines, balance diverse voices, and design a season that feels cohesive rather than episodic.
Is a proactive collaborator who can work independently in a remote contract structure while coordinating closely with FCE's program team.

Tips for this application

In your application, explicitly name 3–5 national parks you know deeply and suggest a potential speaker or theme for each—this shows you already think like a curator.
Highlight any experience moderating live virtual events, especially with expert guests; include links to recordings if available.
Demonstrate your network by mentioning specific types of speakers you can reach (e.g., 'I have worked with tribal representatives from the Southwest and can make warm introductions').
Propose a rough through-line for the 12-part series (e.g., 'People and Parks: Stewardship Across Generations') to show creative vision beyond logistics.
Address the remote, contract nature of the role by emphasizing your self-direction, availability for monthly live sessions, and comfort with prep calls across time zones.

What to cover in your cover letter

Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your proven ability to curate a multi-part series with a coherent narrative arc; (2) your direct experience moderating live conversations with diverse experts; (3) your active network in the national parks and cultural heritage space, with concrete examples of potential speakers; and (4) your passion for making national park stories accessible to virtual audiences. Avoid generic statements about loving parks—show how you would translate that love into a compelling 12-month program.

Draft a cover letter

Research before applying

Explore FCE's past programs or website to understand their tone, audience, and typical format for virtual events.
Research the National Park Service's key anniversaries, initiatives, or controversies in 2026–2027 that could inform timely themes.
Identify recent books, documentaries, or news stories about national parks that feature potential speakers or fresh angles.
Look into FCE's program team and any public statements about their curatorial approach or diversity commitments.

Forum for Cultural Engagement website

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

How would you select the 12 parks and sequence them to create a meaningful through-line for the series?
Describe a time you moderated a live conversation with a difficult or reticent speaker. How did you keep it engaging?
Who are three potential speakers you would recommend for a park like Yellowstone, and why?
How would you ensure diverse voices and perspectives across the series, including Indigenous and local community representatives?
What does a successful prep call with a guest speaker look like to you, and what do you aim to accomplish in that time?

Practise interview questions

Common mistakes to avoid

Being vague about your national parks knowledge—candidates who speak only in generalities about 'loving nature' without specific park expertise will be overlooked.
Failing to demonstrate a network: if you cannot name real potential speakers or show how you'd reach them, you seem unprepared for the booking responsibility.
Treating this as a standard moderator gig—ignoring the curation and series-arc aspects signals you don't understand the creative partnership FCE seeks.
Neglecting to mention virtual production experience—live virtual moderation has unique challenges, and ignoring them suggests you haven't thought through the format.

Deadline

No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.