IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation's leading advocate for rail-trails and a national champion for active transportation policy. RTC is a significant voice in federal legislation related to creating bikeable and walkable communities. RTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
RTC is looking for interns interested in working on environmental and public policy issues. Interns will participate as full members of the team and are included in staff meetings and social gatherings. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments. General office hours are weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summary of this Opportunity: [Download as PDF
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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's policy team has an opening for a 3- to 4-month internship. Congress will soon start debating how to shape the next decade of transportation investments, and this is an opportunity to play a role in our efforts to influence that process.
The Policy/Research Intern will assist the team on one or more aspects of making our case to Congress:
• Assist the Director of Research in producing a report on the significance and potential of bicycling and walking beyond urban centers. This project will provide a narrative and policy-making tools to increase the stature of active transportation for regions of the U.S. that are not densely populated. Tasks may include:
1. Produce charts and graphs from quantitative data;
2. Conduct testing and user trials of a new policy tool to make it more useful and usable;
3. Gather best practices information from the U.S. and international successes in increasing the transportation mode share for walking and bicycling;
4. Write and produce content for this project for the RTC website;
5. Assemble and rewrite stories gathered and match them with photos from RTC's extensive photo library.
• Assist the Policy Outreach Manager in mobilizing stakeholders and organizations to achieve support for our primary federal legislative agenda. Tasks may include:
1. Identify and contact organizations around the country and/or in key legislative districts;
2. Creatively identify and establish relationships with listservs, groups and other interested parties;
3. Target specific groups for more in-depth relationship cultivation.
• Support the Senior Vice President of Federal Relations in the effort to build relationships and support through direct lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a significant player in shifting national transportation policy to support goals of health, economy, livable communities and environmental justice. Our strategy is to focus on making system-wide improvements at the city and county level that offer safe, convenient connectivity so people of all ages and skill levels can get around on foot or by bike. This strategy is needed to rectify an over-emphasis on providing transportation funding at the "project" level. Interns working with the RTC policy team will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best-trained and experienced policy professionals in Washington, D.C. Prior successes include significant accomplishments such as establishing the U.S. DOT's Transportation Enhancements program, and the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program in SAFETEA-LU. Applicants can learn more about the current Campaign for Active Transportation at www.railstotrails.org/2010/.
Qualifications:
Qualified interns will have a bachelors degree with graduate coursework in planning, public policy, social sciences, landscape architecture, transportation engineering or a related field. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in the topics of health, environment, sustainable transportation, pedestrians, bicycles or trails.
Benefits:
Internships are unpaid, though interns will enjoy the benefits of working in downtown Washington, D.C., in the casual but professional RTC National Office. Easily accessible by metro's red, orange and blue lines, the office is located in the heart of the West End, nearly equidistant between the Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle stations. Nearby cultural attractions include the Smithsonian, historical monuments, and the trendy Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan neighborhoods.
To Apply (No phone calls, please)
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume indicating a "Transportation Policy Internship" preference, including how you learned of this announcement, to:
Attn: Elton A. Clark
Human Resources Manager
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Duke Ellington Building
2121 Ward Court, 5th Floor, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone: 202.974.5153
E-mail: elton@railstotrails.org
Fax: 202.223.9257
RTC is an equal opportunity employer. Women and diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
