Board Intern

Who is DERT?

The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team is a 501(c)(3) that serves as a center for creative, community-driven efforts to support the health and longevity of the Deschutes watershed for all inhabitants. DERT works directly with state agency leaders and legislators to advocate for the honest and complete accounting of the environmental impacts of an impounded Deschutes River Estuary (Capitol Lake) due to the 5th avenue dam, and for a full restoration that respects the culture and history of the estuary. DERT also focuses on educating and engaging with our local communities in collaboration with like-minded partners such as the Squaxin Island Tribe, GRuB, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, and many others. With the 2022 Final Environmental Impact Statement from Washington State’s Department of Enterprise Services recommending the full restoration of the Deschutes Estuary, we are expanding our reach toward the health of the whole watershed as we continue to engage with our community to imagine and participate in restoration.

Intern Position Description:

The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) is accepting applications for a “Board Intern” on the DERT Board of Directors (BOD). The individual selected for this position will be a full voting member of the DERT BOD, with associated roles and responsibilities, and will have additional responsibilities as appropriate. This position will extend through September 2024. DERT is actively investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and community and this position strives to broaden the range of voices on our board, and within our organization, and is intended to provide an enriching student experience with practical industry skills and networking opportunities.

DERT is seeking an enrolled graduate or undergraduate college student (2023-2024 academic year) from any discipline that is interested in engaging with non-profit governance, science communication, community engagement and education, and collaborative changemaking in the Deschutes watershed. The chosen candidate will have board training opportunities, as well as a board mentor. Students interested in structuring their time with DERT as an Independent Learning Contract (ILC), or other course credit avenue, will be accommodated. As a full board member, the Board Interns will be expected to attend BOD meetings, and participate in DERT program development, events, and perform other duties commensurate with availability, skills, and interest. At the Board Intern’s interest and availability, other opportunities may arise such as public and youth education, networking, and participation in regional multi-agency meetings. Interested parties should send a cover letter, resume, and references to olydert@gmail.com by March 20th, 2024. This position is funded through the C-CAS office at The Evergreen State College and is open to matriculated students only. The position will cap at 19 hours per week and pay will be commensurate with the standard C-CAS hourly rate. The position will extend through summer of 2024, at which point interns will have a formal review and if deemed mutually appropriate may have the opportunity to continue in the roll (as the applicant will not have had a full year in the position). Otherwise, the intern position will be re-opened for new applicants

Desired Skills:

• Interest in science communication
• Skilled in written and verbal communication
• Able to prioritize and navigate a dynamic workload
• Experience in community engagement, especially with tribal communities
• Comfortable asking questions!
• Social media management and content design
• Passion for environmental justice and ecological + cultural restoration
• Ability to work in a team and collaborate with stakeholders
• Awareness of and commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of how these intersect with environmental issues and efforts to address them

Responsibilities:

• Attend, contribute, and vote in monthly board meetings (1x monthly)
• Participate in board trainings and special events (~2x monthly)
• Manage event advertising through DERT social media, news outlets, email, flyering, etc.
• Support event logistics, particularly for August’s Festival of the Steh-Chass in collaboration with the Squaxin Island Tribe
• Pursue areas of special interest within DERT (outreach, education, community engagement, etc.)

These qualifications and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and the specific needs may vary based on DERT’s dynamic role in the community and the intern’s skills and interests. It’s also important for candidates to demonstrate enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a genuine commitment to the mission and values of our organization.