Climate and Environmental Justice Graduate Interns

Salary

$23.40 Hourly

Location 

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Graduate College Intern

Job Number

2023-01782

Department

Sustainability & Environment

Opening Date

09/27/2023

Closing Date

10/24/2023 4:00 PM Pacific

 
Position Description

The Office of Sustainability & Environment is seeking two graduate students to work closely with the Environmental Justice Fund Advisor and the Climate and Environmental Justice Associate to support engagement strategies that will advance the City’s environmental and climate justice priorities. These work items will include: attending meetings; supporting the planning and implementation of engagement plans; communicating with community members and Community Based Organizations; developing communications materials such as newsletters, websites, social media posts, blog posts, fliers, listserv, and other materials.

The Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon neutral future. OSE works to create a carbon pollution-free Seattle, where everyone shares in health, economic, and environmental benefits. Guided by environmental justice principles, OSE advances healthy communities and a just transition from fossil fuels to a clean energy future by prioritizing those currently and historically most harmed by racial, economic, and environmental injustices. OSE works with City departments, community organizations and residents, and other partners to coordinate collective action, design leading-edge policies, implement programs, and communicate success and impact. OSE’s Climate Justice Team works collaboratively with communities to advance climate and environmental justice while also eliminating climate pollution in the City of Seattle. The Team works on the following policy and programmatic areas: Environmental Justice Fund and Duwamish River Opportunity Fund, Seattle’s Green New Deal, Workforce Development, Climate Data and Policy Development.

Educational Benefit to Student:

  • Gain the ability to develop, manage, and lead communications strategies, particularly related to environmental and climate justice. 
  • Learn how to work within government institutions with a strong emphasis on communications and authentic community engagement. 
  • Networking opportunities with City staff and community partners. 
  • Access to City sponsored trainings and professional development. 
  • Experience navigating a diverse array of work experiences, responsibilities, and opportunities

 

Job Responsibilities

 

  • Communication and engagement support: design and produce materials (including but not limited to fliers, posters, postcards, social media posts, infographics, videos) using Canva and Microsoft Suite; support any in-house video production or coordination external video production projects; assist in media projects as they arise, including helping to write and edit copy for website, press releases, and other written materials; participate in and support with public engagement campaigns, track engagement metrics; research and coordinate creative new campaigns and platforms that the department can leverage to further our engagement strategies.
  • Program support: attending meetings for Grantmaking Review Teams and Green New Deal Oversight Board and capturing notes with high accuracy, supporting with other tasks as needed.
  • Staff development: participation in weekly Climate Justice team meetings and Climate Justice team retreat.
  • Professional development:  participating in networking opportunities such as connecting with City staff, fellow interns and participating in self0identified trainings.

 

Qualifications

 

Education 
 Open to all graduate students enrolled in an accredited educational program.
 
 Preferred Areas of Study:  Public Administration, Urban Planning, Environmental Studies, Communications, Marketing, Public Health, and Social Work.
 
 EXPERIENCE
    
 Required:

  • Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.  
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with experience collaborating with diverse teams and communities.
  • Experience planning community engagement activities and developing engagement materials like fliers, visually appealing reports, etc.
  • Familiarity with basic video editing and content creation skills.
  • Experience capturing meeting notes with high accuracy.
  • Passionate about telling a good story and excited to be creative while applying analytical skills.
  • A desire to connect with community-based organizations and community leaders on climate and environmental justice issues.
  • Ability to interpret technical information and communicate it to a variety of audiences.
  • Experience or strong interest in any of the following: graphic design (i.e. working within Canva, Adobe Photoshop, etc), photography, videography, podcasting, illustration, writing, journalism, outreach & engagement.
Desired Qualifications:  
 
  • Experience driving followers to social media accounts, photography skills, experience interviewing members of the public.
  • Familiarity with inventory management systems such as SharePoint, Windows file explorer and One Note.
  • Experience in event planning.

 

Additional Information

 

Start/End Dates:  The internship will start in October/early November, 2023 and end August, 2024.
   
 Schedule:  Intern will work up to 15-20 hours/week while school is in session and up to 40 hours/week during school breaks.  Work hours can be scheduled between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.  May work some evenings.
   
 GPA:  Must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for graduate intern.
 
Hourly Salary Range:  Graduate interns will be paid $23.40-$23.40/hour.
    
  How to Apply:  complete an online application and include the following:

  • Unofficial transcript including current classes and GPA
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
 
Teleworking:  The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite work in Seattle when operational needs require.
 
 See the following link for the Intern Benefits:  Internships – Human Resources | seattle.gov  

 

Agency
City of Seattle
Address
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, Washington, 98104