Resilience and Innovation Research Intern
Position Title:
Resilience and Innovation Research Intern
Position Type:
Internship for Undergraduate Student
Fellowship for Graduate Student
Full and part-time available
Hybrid format – in-person at Alexandria, VA office and remote
Position Compensation:
Stipend available to cover out-of-pocket costs
Course credit available
Position Time Commitment:
16-24 hours per week
ASAP for up to four-month engagement – start and end dates are flexible.
Candidate REQUIREMENTS:
University enrollment in any of the following majors/programs: Economics, Business, Marketing, Government, Public Policy, Sustainability, Development, etc.
Applications that do not fulfill these requirements will be returned without review.
Position Description:
The mission of ISD is to catalyze resilience so that communities can thrive long-term and build their capacity to withstand future crises. This internship is designed to provide successful candidates with background and hands-on experience working on systems-based sustainable development issues.
The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) is seeking a thoughtful and motivated Resilience and Innovation Research Intern for our highly competitive and educational internship. The candidate will be responsible for supporting ISD’s research needs and helping develop and execute our resilience portfolio.
Successful candidates will also be enrolled in Sustainable Development Theory and Practice, a weekly seminar hosted by ISD CEO Stephen Jordan. This graduate-level seminar will engage students with issues and challenges affecting community and international development, disaster management, and other developmental challenges from a systems-based perspective.
Recent ISD projects have included:
- Creating a “Shark Tank”-type showcase to feature Blue Economy innovations in shipping and port emissions management, desalination, coral reef protection, and storm mitigation
- Building up our Resilience Help Desk with resources for victims of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona
- Supporting women- and diverse-owned small business relief and recovery from COVID-19 in Los Angeles
- Developing a state-level model program to finance hazard mitigation and resilient infrastructure
- Projecting the future market trends and opportunities for the Green Economy
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Research and programmatic support, including producing research deliverables like memos, reports, presentations, content, etc.
- Monitor and report on current events and news related to sustainable development, public and private initiatives for resilience and capacity-building, U.S. and global infrastructure, and more
- Write, edit, and publish ISD blogs, editorial pieces, press releases, and other written content that address current events, news, and other relevant topics related to resilience and sustainability
- Assist with other ISD content and communications
- Support virtual and in-person ISD events, workshops, training sessions, seminars, etc.
- Attend and report on in-person and virtual events and webinars
- Assist with conducting in-person and virtual interviews and surveys
- Support ISD staff by providing operational and administrative assistance as requested
Having a can-do, team orientation is essential. All ISD staff, interns, and fellows are expected to support convenings, develop and maintain ISD contacts and databases, support communications, and pitch in to help when disasters or other crises occur.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Requirements include university enrollment in any of the following majors/programs: Business, Economics, Marketing, Government, Public Policy, Sustainability, Development, etc.
- Previous professional or academic experience in research and writing
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications
- Willingness to learn other online platforms and programs critical for the success of the goals and responsibilities listed above
Successful candidates tend to have a grounding in both economics and environmental science and a deep interest in community development. We are also seeking candidates who are intellectually curious, courteous, proactive, self-motivated, team-oriented, and capable multi-taskers, conscientious about details, and willing to help on a range of issues and projects.
Application instructions:
If you have a Handshake account, please attach your resume and cover letter to your Handshake application (Handshake Job #7311122) by February 16, 2023 at 4:30 PM EST. If you do not have a Handshake account, please send your resume and cover letter to info@isdus.org by the same deadline.
In your cover letter, list your Monday to Friday availability between 9 AM to 5 PM for each day AND indicate which hours are in-person and which are remote. For in-person hours, please take into consideration travel time to and from our office at 1199 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314.
When listing your availability, please be as specific as possible, for example:
- “Mondays in-person from 9 AM to 5PM”
- “Tuesdays remote from 11 AM to 1 PM, unavailable rest of time”
- “Wednesdays unavailable from 9 AM to 5 PM”
- “Thursdays remote from 9 to 11 AM, and in-person from 12 PM to 5 PM”
- Etc.