Applications Now Open! Internships with the Human Impacts Institute
The Human Impacts Institute is currently accepting applications for our highly competitive Feb-May 2012 internship program. Past interns have included international lawyers, media professionals, certified teachers, as well as graduate and undergrad students from Columbia University, University of Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa), New York University, Webster University (Netherlands), and more. Interns will be given significant programmatic and organizational responsibilities based upon their internship descriptions, qualifications, and interests.
All internships will be located in NYC and only applicants available for the full term (February to mid May 2012) and who can commit a minimum of 10 hours per week will be considered.
About the Human Impacts Institute
The mission of the Human Impacts Institute is to foster sustainable human impacts on ecosystems through inspired engagement, leadership, collaboration, knowledge-building and creative expression. We promote healthy community development by connecting communities through a shared awareness of, and accountability for, the natural environment.
Using NYC as a laboratory, the Human Impacts Institute connects global communities in resource sharing and environmental awareness. Our program participants commit to conscious environmental decision-making, take responsibility for their environmental impacts and are dedicated to long-term solutions through:
- Experiential Education–participants practice leadership through hands-on problem solving and community service;
- Collaborative Partnerships–organizations unite through resource sharing, joint advocacy, and idea development;
- Participatory Research–students and research institutions provide free research services to the Hii community; and
- Creative Expression–individuals use culture and art to inspire others to engage in environmental issues and solutions.
The Human Impacts Institute Internship program provides an active learning environment for college students and mid-career professionals.
What We Offer
- Working with a team of environmentalists and artists who are passionate about inspiring social change and have backgrounds in climate science, public engagement, education, policy development, international consulting, private sector advising, and more;
- An open and creative learning environment where interns and staff collaborate and co-learn;
- High level of responsibility and a key role in program development and leadership;
- Inclusion a diverse, international network of environmental, sustainable development, and social change professionals;
- Diverse experiences in education, coalition-building, creative messaging, reporting and research; and
- A commitment to supporting your personal goals while pushing your leadership skills
What We Want
Strong preference will be given to applicants who can receive college credit (undergraduate or graduate) or occupational training credits. International applicants are welcome, as are mid-career professionals looking to expand their knowledge of environmental work. There is no stipend or lodging assistance available at this time. Interns are encouraged to apply for outside funding assistance. All available internships will have flexibility in scheduling, however, interns will be expected to work on-site at least 10 hours per week, with a preference for those who can commit 20 hours per week.
Applicants must have an expressed interest in environmental issues, education, policy development, research, coalition building, and/or not-for-profit organizational work. In addition to this, interns are expected to be: self-motivated; extremely organized; independent; open communicators; creative; highly adaptable to different types of projects, atmospheres, interactions; and to have excellent research skills.
Application Information
If interested, please submit your resume and an introductory letter as per your interest in working with the Human Impacts Institute. Please, do specify which of the internships you are applying to and what your specific expertise/interests are to that subject.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants will be notified of interviews shortly after their application. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least one month in advance of their desired start date. All applications and inquiries should be directed to:
Tara DePorte, Executive Director and Founder, Human Impacts Institute
Tara@HumanImpactsInstitute.org
2012 Internships with the Human Impacts Institute
All Human Impacts Institute Interns will:
- Attend free classes at the Foundation Center on grant writing
- Develop and research at least one grant proposal for their internship focus
- Assist with organizational development and program support
- Write blogs and develop community outreach materials
- Attend relevant meetings and events to “report back on” to the HII team
- Assist with partnership development
Below, are brief descriptions of Human Impacts Institute internships available for February 2012 start date:
Climate Coalition Building
Our Climate Coalition Building Intern will work to further develop our programs in climate change. Focus will be on developing and doing outreach for our initiative: the NYC Climate Coalition, but work will also include international climate change research, policy analysis, and outreach development. Responsibilities will include: Editing and writing outreach, teaching, curriculum development, research and partner development, website content development, lobbying and advocacy, grant writing, and more. Intern should have a good working knowledge of climate change issues, and climate change policy and science experience is a plus.
Environmental Leadership
Our Environmental Leadership Intern will be mainly research, outreach and organizing of information. Interns will be in charge of analyzing and following-up on our Environmental Leadership Programs, policy analysis and research, developing outreach and web content, researching and contacting existing and potential partners, dialogue facilitation and training, grant writing, analyzing feedback and monitoring information from our work. The Environmental Leadership intern will also be instrumental in helping to develop our continued local and international programs concerning environment leadership, as well as gender and the environment. Intern should have a good working knowledge of environmental policy and international development organizations.
Environmental Services
Our Environmental Services Intern will provide businesses, organizations, schools and other Human Impacts Institute partners with resources on how to reduce their overall emissions, negative impacts on community health, and to increase their community support, while saving money and increasing their community involvement. Interns will be trained as environmental consultants and will mentor other students and stakeholders in sustainability options in their community. Interns will also analyze the economic and social impacts of sustainability measures being implemented by program participants.
Environmental Education
Our Environmental Education Intern will help in all aspects of environmental education at the Human Impacts Institute. Interns will focus on curriculum and program development and updating, website content development, teaching classes/outreach, lesson plan research and development, outreach to schools and community centers, grant writing, etc. Intern applicants should be interested in environmental education (experience in environmental sciences and/or teaching are a plus!) and interests in the many components of program development and facilitation in a small not-for-profit.
NGO Management, PR and Marketing
Our NGO Management/PR and Marketing Intern will be responsible for the further development of the Human Impacts Institute website, updating press packages and brochures, outreach to press and funders, as well as other issues relating to marketing our organization and our programs. Interns will also help with the overall organizational management including responsibilities such as data input, contacts management, newsletter development, as well as events planning, partnership development, and fundraising. All applicants should be very well versed in web design and marketing. Experience in fundraising is a plus. Experience with environmental issues is not necessary, but favorable.
Design and Interactive Web Development
The Design and Interactive Web Development Intern will be responsible for further developing the online and interactive presence of the Human Impacts Institute and our programs. Interns will particularly focus on creating and implementing online tools for increased collaboration, outreach and open-source engagement of the public and partner groups in Human Impacts Institute’s programs. Ideal candidates will have proficiency in HTML/XHTML, CSS, Photoshop, and ability to learn other online and design tools. Ideal candidates will also have experience or training in graphic design, illustration, and/or branding. Knowledge or interest in environmental issues or community development is a plus. All applicants for the Design and Interactive Web Development Internship should send three work samples in addition to the overall internship application package.
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Tara DePorte
Executive Director and Founder
The Human Impacts Institute www.HumanImpactsInstitute.org
NYC Climate Coalition www.NYCClimate.org
Tara@HumanImpactsInstitute.org
Phone +1 917 727 9761
skype: taradeporte
Adjunct Professor and Lecturer
Columbia University, NYC
The New School, NYC
Webster University, Leiden, The Netherlands
www.TaraDePorte.com/TeachingMainPage.html