The City of Tacoma’s Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability is recruiting for a full-time or part-time intern. This temporary intern will have the opportunity to learn from Office staff and to provide technical assistance on a variety of Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability (OEPS) project and programs. These include the planning, research, engagement, and implementation of key climate mitigation and adaptation actions that support the City’s carbon pollution reduction, health, and equity goals. This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma, acquire valuable work experience, and personally contribute to positive change in our community.

If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team!

• Organized and excels at multi-tasking
• Excellent public speaking, writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong personal motivation commitment to outcomes
• Outstanding customer service, people skills and professionalism
• Enjoy working with diverse communities
• Passionate about social and environmental justice

The intern selected for this position will be responsible for engaging in the following types of job duties:

• Assisting in OEPS communications, including improving, and updating City webpage content, writing quarterly OEPS newsletter, supporting engaging social media posts, developing and improving presentation templates, attending monthly Environmental Services Community Engagement Team meetings, and answering general office email and phone calls
• Assisting in the implementation of the Urban Forestry Management Plan, including community tree coupon distribution and analysis and report writing, coordination of city owned tree maintenance, and working with community partners to support Green Tacoma Day through planning, program development, outreach and implementation
• Assisting with Envirostar business outreach, including developing recruitment materials and communications
• Assisting with green building initiatives such as coordinating work with EnviroHouse to update sustainable building information and resources, events, and tours
• Assisting with Green Event and Sustainability Small Grant programs application processing as-needed
• Assisting with data collection, analytics, and reporting regarding climate, equity, and environmental measures and targets

Educational Benefits:
Educational benefits to be derived by students in this job include: team work; research; enhanced computer skills; public speaking and employability skills.

Hours and Terms of the Position: 
This is a temporary part-time to full-time (20-40 hours per week) position that is anticipated to be filled from approximately July 26, 2021  through June 15, 2022.

Location and Physical Requirements of Position:
Time will usually be spent in an office and in meetings. This position requires sitting at a desk for extended periods, using a computer, traveling to other city facilities, attending meetings and taking notes, communicating over the phone and accessing employee workspaces. Hybrid in-office and remote work will be allowed and determined through Supervisor discretion.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

Must be enrolled in a vocational school, community college, four-year college or university, graduate student;

OR

A recent graduate from an accredited college/university within the last year.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid driver license required at time of appointment.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of environmental topics.
• Knowledge of research methodology.
• Skill in operating a personal computer using basic software, including Microsoft Office and spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or other software programs.
• Effective problem solving skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement programs and to write clear, complete, and logical reports.
• Ability to learn pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

To be considered for this exciting and rewarding career opportunity:
Interested individuals must complete the online application and attach a detailed attach a resume that includes past work experience and a brief cover letter stating why they want to participate in the internship.

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the Supplemental Questions reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers. DO NOT respond with “see resume” in lieu of answering these questions. Candidates whose qualifications most closely correspond with the Department’s needs will be placed on a referral list for review and potential interview selection.

Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma’s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma’s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Our City:
With a population of over 200,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world.  Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts. Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, our schools are exceptional and our housing is affordable.

When you work for the City of Tacoma you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/newhires
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

Please visit the City’s Employee Benefits Guide (Download PDF reader) for more information about City of Tacoma employee benefits including medical, dental and/or vision.

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, call the Human Resources office at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.