Climate Change Communication Paid Internship in the Washington D.C. metro area, Summer
2020
Do you love the outdoors? Are you passionate about climate change activism? Do you want to
work for the NPS and creatively explore those interests? If so, then this internship is the perfect
fit for you!
This position pays a minimum of $350 per week on biweekly pay schedule.
Deadline: Friday, January 31st, 2020
Description
This internship is a partnership between the National Park Service and George Mason
University’s Center for Climate Change Communication. The National Park Service (NPS)
works to protect and preserve America's cultural and natural resources, presenting the
opportunity to observe changes caused by global warming. The National Capital Region (NCR)
of the NPS spans across areas of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. and is home to
national monuments, battlefields, and diverse natural landscapes. George Mason University’s
Center for Climate Change Communication (4C) researches climate change public engagement
strategies. The partnership between NPS and 4C creates a unique platform to educate and engage
park visitors with climate change impacts and solutions.
Up to ten interns (including three multimedia interns) will have the opportunity to work with 4C,
the NPS, park staff, and the NPS’s Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance to develop
climate change communication materials for National Capital Region Parks (greater Washington,
D.C. area). In the past, the products developed during the internship have ranged from
interpretive resources for park rangers to videos to digital and print brochures and maps.
Summaries of previous year’s projects can be found
at http://climatechangecommunication.org/internship_program/
Qualifications
The 10-week internships are open to graduate students, exceptional rising junior and senior
undergraduate students, or recent graduates. Ideal applicants will have a strong interest in
National Parks and a positive attitude and interest in learning, thinking creatively, and working
as a member of an interdisciplinary communication team. Previous interns have come from
degrees in Biology, Climate Science, Communications, Environmental Studies, Journalism,
Natural Resource Management, Psychology, Public Health, Sustainability, and Zoology.
Applicants must be attending (or have just graduated from) a U.S. accredited college or
university and must be legally allowed to work in the U.S. Interns may be required to pass a
Federal government background check.
Please indicate in your resume and cover letter your knowledge, skills, abilities, and interest in
the following:
● Translating scientific information for non-experts
● Writing stories, narratives, and other interpretive materials to share information about natural
and cultural resources
● Public engagement, or campaign development
● Interest in learning more about local climate impacts, NPS and environmental communication
● Interdisciplinary collaboration, working with clients and meeting client needs, and articulate,
professional demeanor
● Experience with representing organizations on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and
Twitter
Expectations include:
● Strong experience or interest in science, natural resources, or cultural communication
● Ability to develop communication materials in a 10-week period and demonstrated ability to
manage multiple projects simultaneously
● Strong creativity skills and ability to generate new ideas
● Proven ability to develop effective communication products with minimal editing; strong
attention to detail
● Excellent written and oral communication skills
● Familiarity with cloud-based computing, collaborative document editing, and diligence in
updating task lists on productivity software
● Ability to self direct work
Dates, Duration, and Location
Internships are full time (40 hours per week) for ten weeks, running from Monday, June 1st
through Friday, August 7th. All work will take place in the Washington, DC metro area. Housing
is not provided. Having a personal vehicle is ideal for traveling to National Parks, but not
required, as interns are strongly encouraged to carpool to park sites.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following materials (combined as ONE PDF file with applicant’s
name as the file name) to nps4c@gmu.edu with “NPS4C – [Applicant Name]” as the subject
line:
(1) Resume or CV
(2) Undergraduate and/or graduate transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
(3) A one page cover letter discussing your specific interest in the internship and highlighting
your qualifications.
(4) A one page writing sample on any topic (can be an excerpt from previous work including
class papers or projects)
(5) At least two references with:
a) name,
b) contact information (email & phone number), and
c) nature of the relationship (e.g., professor, employer)
*Letters of recommendation are not required
Please Note: Only COMPLETE applications will be reviewed.
Inquiries regarding this internship may be directed to nps4c@gmu.edu
Deadline for completed applications: Friday, January 31st, 2020
Diversity
The NPS and 4C seek a diverse cohort of interns. Applicants with diverse backgrounds from
underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.