Intern for ISC's Gulf Coast Sustainable Communities Network

Location: Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: September 1, 2009

Description

The Institute for Sustainable Communities seeks an intern that will support ISC’s Program Officer on the Gulf Coast Sustainable Communities Network on a range of projects, including: 1) developing the Sustainable Communities Network; 2) compiling and editing materials for inclusion in a database about ISC’s impact; 3) updating contacts in our database; and 4) drafting ‘performance stories’ about program successes.

This is an ideal opportunity for a college or graduate student who wishes to gain exposure to community-based sustainable development, in the areas of civil society advocacy work and environment and climate programming, and to explore a career in the nonprofit arena.

Organization Description

Founded in 1991, ISC is an independent non-profit organization that gives passionate, committed people the tools, skills, and resources they need to make their communities better places to live. With our headquarters in Montpelier, Vermont, and offices in China, Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Washington, DC, ISC has an international staff of approximately 80 people. Our approach ensures that solutions emerge from within the community, rather than being imposed from the outside. By combining technical expertise and leadership training with strategic investments in local organizations, we spark creative solutions and lasting change. We have managed more than 70 projects in 18 countries. For more information on ISC, please visit our website at www.iscvt.org.

ISC launched the Gulf Coast Sustainable Communities Network that connects coastal communities to one another, helping them take practical steps to make housing more affordable, create economic opportunities, foster a healthier environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change—to make informed choices about their future.
The network's growing geographic reach extends from Beaumont, Texas in the west to Mobile, Alabama in the east—an area covering a distance of approximately 400 miles of coast line and representing nearly 750,000 residents. There are now 28 community organizations from 12 distinct communities in all four states that are actively participating in the network. These organizations primarily serve the most disadvantaged communities and populations within the region. http://www.iscvt.org/where_we_work/usa/article/scn.php

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities of this internship may be adapted to the interests and skill sets of qualified applicants, but will likely include the following:

• Conducting research for existing tools, policies, programs, and resource people and organizations that could support the Gulf Coast program;
• Working closely with staff to compile examples and write up case studies based on climate and environment research and the project;
• Updating and ensuring completeness of ISC’s qualitative database, including checking records on current programs for accuracy, entering new material as it comes in from the field, and extracting success/impact related materials from documentation from past programs for inclusion in the database;
• Researching funding sources for the program;
• Researching and documenting technical resources that Gulf Coast community organizations can utilize;
• Conducting background research and drafting performance stories about ISC programming in the Gulf Coast and based on materials in database; and
• Providing administrative and program support to Program Officer in organizing the Gulf Coast Sustainable Communities Network quarterly convening.

Working Conditions

The intern will be supervised by the Program Officer. This internship is unpaid. Reimbursement may be available for cost of transportation and pre-approved work related expenses. Start and end dates of internship can be flexible. Candidates should be able to commit to a minimum of 20 hours a week for up to 10 weeks. Possible travel.

Qualifications

The ideal candidates will have a strong interest in international or community development, climate change and environment, and/or in the regions where ISC works, and will possess the following skills:

• Experience working at the community level with community-based organizations;
• Knowledge of or experience work in the US Gulf Coast;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and adapt to changing priorities;
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
• Above average skills in Microsoft Office suite, data processing, email, Internet browsers, and other software helpful in advancing the efficiency of the team.

Compensation and Benefits

This internship is unpaid.

To Apply

Apply Using Our Online Form

In addition to filling out the form please follow the directions to upload your cover letter and resume (must be uploaded as a single file). Online applications only.

No emails or phone calls please.

Only finalists will be contacted.

ISC is an equal opportunity employer.