Salary: $19.09 – $23.40 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: College Intern
Job Number: 2023-00827
Department: Seattle Public Utilities
Division: Drainage and Wastewater Line of Business
Opening Date: 04/25/2023
Closing Date: 5/16/2023 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Are you interested in nature and forestry? Do you have motivation to educate others about Seattle’s Forest? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has a wonderful internship opportunity! We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate level student to join our collaborative and innovative Trees for Seattle team. Trees for Seattle is an urban forestry outreach and engagement program that supports the City of Seattle and Seattle Public Utilities’ goals to increase canopy cover, improve human health, reduce stormwater runoff, and more. Trees for Seattle supports volunteers in caring for trees, plants 1,000 trees each year at homes and schools, and communicates the benefits of trees to the residents of Seattle. 

The Trees for Seattle intern will be supporting our volunteer engagement and communications work including supporting social media content creation, recruiting program participants by attending neighborhood events, writing newsletter articles, conducting outreach for our planting program, and potentially leading engagement activities such as Tree Walks. The intern will help craft and implement plans to recruit and train new volunteers and will help staff identify and implement ways to increase diversity amongst volunteers. The intern will also be responsible for tracking all volunteer activity in our database and organizing volunteer event records and photos. The intern will support development of Trees for Seattle’s monthly email newsletter and will work with Trees for Seattle staff to develop content and layout and manage the distribution list. More information about the Trees for Seattle can be found on our website at www.Seattle.gov/trees. 

Internship learning objectives include but are not limited to:

  • Gain a good understanding of issues involved in volunteer management, event management, and public outreach. 
  • Strengthen skills in urban forest restoration and invasive species management. 
  • Learn how municipal governments operate and how government can engage the public in issues. 
  • Gain a firm grounding in urban forestry at a municipal level, especially in the private residential sector.

There is one (1) internship available and is for up to 18 months or graduation, whichever comes first. The internship is projected to start in mid-June. We require a minimum 1-year commitment for this internship. This internship will include occasional weekend and evening work. 

Job Responsibilities
Interns will work with professionals performing a variety of duties, which include, but not be limited to:

  • Oversee monthly newsletter, create social media content, manage distribution lists, photo storage, and support the Tree Walks app.
  • Recruit volunteers, support Tree Appreciation events, offer an outreach table at events, and work with consultant teams on their respective outreach plans.
  • Manage databases for all Trees for Seattle workflows.
  • Perform other special projects, as needed.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications
Education: Applicants must currently be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate level student pursuing a degree in Forestry, Public Affairs, Landscape Architecture, Ecology, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Urban Planning or Communications, or related field.

  • Undergraduate students must be enrolled on either a part-time or full-time basis and maintain a 2.0 GPA for the duration of the internship.
  • Graduate students must be enrolled on either a part-time or full-time basis and maintain a 3.0 GPA for the duration of the internship. 

Exception: Students are not required to be enrolled during the summer sessions but must provide documentation of continued Fall enrollment at end of Spring quarter.

Additional Information
Hours: During school sessions, work hours will be scheduled to complement class schedules (15-20 hours per week). The internship opportunity may permit up to 32 hours per week during breaks and the summer months. Work is normally performed between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Some weekend and evening work will be required.

Hourly rates: 

  • Undergraduate – $19.09 – $19.09 per hour
  • Graduate – $23.40 – $23.40 per hour

Hourly Salary Range:  $19.09 – $23.40. 

How to Apply

  • Upload your college/university’s unofficial transcript. An official transcript will be required at time of hire.
  • Cover letter indicating your interest in this internship
  • Resume clearly identifying how you meet qualifications
  • References

Selected applicants invited to interview will be requested to provide references. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/4013817/trees-for-seattle-communications-and-outreach-intern