Job Posting: https://www.americanprogress.org/about/jobs/496800/conservation-internsh...

 

Conservation Internship, Energy and Environment

Reports to: Deputy Director, Ocean Policy

Department: Energy and Environment

Position classification: Internship

Summary

American Progress has an immediate opening for a virtual intern within the Energy and Environment department. American Progress is a leader in addressing climate change, the conservation crisis, and clean energy production by driving research, messaging, and policy to defend and advance progressive policies that protect our land, water, and air.

Interns working with the Energy and Environment team will have the opportunity to complete substantive research, policy, and communications work across the team’s two main conservation policy focus areas: ocean and public lands. Within this framework, interns will develop skills and experience to contribute effectively to the national conversation on conservation, climate change, natural resources management, climate adaptation and resilience, and clean energy. This internship is virtual and is not based in Washington, D.C.

The selected candidate will contribute to advocating for conserving 30 percent of U.S. ocean and lands by 2030 and showing how ocean and public land policy can help address and solve the climate crisis. The Conservation Intern will work closely with a combination of one or more of the following subteams:

Ocean Policy: The Ocean Policy subteam works to generate and advance progressive policies that promote the ecological and environmental health of oceans and coasts in tandem with prosperous economies and communities. The Conservation Intern may work on the ocean story bank project and engage with issues including sustainable and equitable fisheries, aquaculture, coastal resilience, adaptation and restoration, marine conservation and ocean planning, and offshore energy development.

Public Lands: The Public Lands Project focuses on developing and advancing progressive natural resource and energy policy on America’s public lands, with a focus on stemming the nature crisis and its disproportionate impact on historically marginalized communities. The Conservation Intern may engage with policy issues including natural area loss, landscape protection, conservation funding, outdoor recreation, and energy reform on public lands.

Energy and Environment War Room: This rapid-response unit within the broader Energy and Environment team works quickly to frame the narrative around breaking attacks on the nation’s bedrock environmental laws and policies through research, communications, and campaign-style work. The Energy and Environment War Room also runs the team’s story bank, which works to connect with and amplify the stories of a diverse array of Americans who have been affected by climate change or anti-environmental policies. 

Responsibilities:

All interns on the Energy and Environment team will contribute to the core work of the team, completing day-to-day assignments in addition to more extensive research projects. Interns will work closely with one or more staff members who will help foster knowledge of policy areas and government operations. Typical responsibilities include:

Contribute to memos, blog posts, columns, event summaries, and reports.

Carry out web-based research on issue areas.

Compile and manipulate spreadsheet data using basic functions of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

Draft rapid-response communications (no prior communications experience necessary).

Update fact sheets, talking points, and documents on topics of current pertinence.

Track and develop content for social media and enhance the team’s social media presence.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other duties may include conducting targeted research and reporting on policy meetings, seminars, hearings, and lectures. Whenever possible, interns are encouraged to write on a subject of their choice, either as a contributor to a larger piece or as the individual author of a column for the website.

Requirements and qualifications:

Current pursuance of an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, or recent graduate.

Eagerness to learn about the field of energy and environment conservation policy, advocacy, and communications.

Willingness to learn how environmental issues intersect with racism and economic and social inequality and a passion for working to dismantle these systems.

Commitment to treating all partners, internal and external, with courtesy and respecting those of different cultural backgrounds.

Research, writing, and analytical skills, including the ability to understand data displayed through graphs and charts, and care to detail.

Ability to allocate time and balance projects in a team setting.

Proficient in written and verbal communication.

Ability to independently plan ahead and seek direction when needed.

Knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Google applications.

Ability to recognize problems and help identify creative solutions.

Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals, particularly progressive values including environmental and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

American Progress interns are paid at the D.C. minimum wage rate of $15 per hour. Interns will receive paid time off for federal holidays.

To Apply

In order to be considered for an internship with American Progress, please combine the following items into a single .doc or .pdf file; follow the appropriate application link below; upload the single file; and complete the online application. The system does not allow for multiple files. Required materials include:

Cover letter

Resume

Writing sample of approximately three pages

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of the organization will be considered applicants and receive responses from American Progress.

Additional information

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize the progressive agenda: the Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This internship posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education, and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid-response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy, and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress internships are awarded on an equal opportunity basis; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org. For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaction.org.