Internships
IN OUR CAMBRIDGE, MA OFFICE
Research Information Support Internship
IN OUR WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative Internship
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
IN OUR CHICAGO, IL OFFICE
Midwest Clean Energy Outreach Internship
UCS is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. UCS aims for diversity in the workplace because we understand that diversity is a strength to be valued and developed in our organization. UCS understands that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to carry out the important charge of our mission.
Want Interesting Work That Matters?
Consider a UCS internship!
Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference AND gain useful work experience at the same time?
Would you like to work with people who know how to influence public policy?
Then consider applying for one of our internships.
Please note that these internships vary in length and time offered.
What qualifications do I need?
We expect all applicants to have excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong oral and written communication skills, and proficiency with computers.
What are the hours, and will I get paid?
Most of our internships are full-time with regular business hours (9-5, Monday through Friday) with one paid hour for lunch. All interns receive a competitive salary. Please see individual listings for salary information.
What if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must be able to provide an employment authorization document from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How do I apply?
See instructions for each internship below.
Research Information Support Intern
One Year Half-Time Internship
Cambridge, MA Office
The Research Information Support Internship is a one-year half-time internship. The person in this role will provide and coordinate cross-program research information support for UCS scientists and analysts. This internship provides the opportunity to connect researchers at a dynamic science-based non-profit with current literature and research on topics ranging from climate change to nuclear weapons to sustainable agriculture. It provides insight into solo, special and science libraries and the role of information professionals, as well as opportunities to master a variety of electronic research tools.
Responsibilities
- Maintain and strengthen access to electronic research search, literature access and reference management tools. Manage interactions with vendors of these tools.
- Serve as point person for scientists and analysts research tools questions, training and problem-solving. Orient and train new staff and troubleshoot and provide quality assurance for electronic research tools.
- Maintain and update written introductory guide to research information tools available at UCS.
- Monitor usage, needs and cost-effectiveness of electronic research tools.
- Help represent scientist and analyst research needs within the organization.
- Help determine the best vehicle for ensuring that UCS researchers across programs and offices have equal and ongoing access to all downloaded literature throughout the organization.
- Maintain and update electronic list of staff publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Provide dedicated research information support for Executive Department leadership in preparation of research reports and other written documents and presentations.
Qualifications and experience
Understanding of and experience with online and offline literature research, tools and sources; familiarity with scientific literature; library, customer service or tech support experience; ability to learn and train others on software, databases and other electronic tools; some familiarity with knowledge management best practices; experience with Mendeley, ArcGIS, or Google Earth Pro preferred. Strong interest in UCS mission and issue areas is required.
Requires Bachelors degree or Masters level coursework in library & information science or in one of UCS’s issue areas plus research experience.
At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a one-year, half-time position based in UCS’s Cambridge office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is $15 per hour. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, salary requirements, how you learned about the position and resume via email to internship@ucsusa.org and include “Information Support” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: September 30, 2013 or until filled.
Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative Intern
One-year, full-time internship
Washington, DC, Office
In recent years, the Union of Concerned Scientists Tropical Forest & Climate Initiative (TFCI) has played a critical role in the global effort to protect rain forests, providing important information to policymakers, businesses and consumers to help them reduce deforestation and related emissions. In the years ahead, the TFCI team will continue this work and add a new focus of reducing deforestation emissions from palm oil expansion as well as reducing palm oil-driven peat conversion--working toward 2020 goals of 50% reduction in deforestation and peatland conversion for palm oil.
The Internship
The TFCI Intern will help to coordinate TFCI administrative responsibilities and work with the TFCI team on priority analytical and outreach activities to advance UCS objectives in reducing emissions from enterprise driven tropical deforestation. These activities include analysis and effective campaigning to build strategic support among key businesses and other influential stakeholders.
While at UCS the TFCI Intern will develop a more comprehensive understanding of the drivers of deforestation, policies to mitigate deforestation, and the importance of reducing deforestation rates as a climate change solution. The position will also provide a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a large non-profit with multiple offices across the country. The role allows for participation in coalition and advocacy meetings, and associated activities that provide networking and future career opportunities for science or policy-focused students in the forests, corporate social responsibility, and environmental arena. In addition, the person in this position will have opportunities to learn about the process of developing and executing strategies that achieve policy outcomes while honing their ability to research and communicate complex environmental issues effectively to diverse stakeholders and policymakers in oral and written forms.
Responsibilities
- Schedules and participates in regular campaign as well as other internal and external meetings for department staff;
- Coordinates administration systems of the TFCI team including coordinating agendas, scheduling, and logistics for TFCI team and project meetings as well as preparing and distributing meeting notes;
- Manages consultants’ contracts and processing invoices;
- As needed, assist the TFCI team with flights and accommodation (local and international) as well as expense reports and other financial & accounting documents;
- Trouble shoots expense reimbursements;
- Proofreads and assist with preparation of reports and products;
- Conducts research to further forest and climate policy objectives. Potential projects and activities include researching corporate palm oil purchasing policies, researching the health impacts of palm oil, gathering examples of forest solutions for global forest managers, as well as identifying relevant academic experts with expertise in these areas;
- Assists with communicating analysis on reducing tropical deforestation in corporate supply chains by drafting content for website, social media posts, and emails to members and coalition partners;
- Supports UCS activities aimed at analyzing and developing policies concerning the development of biofuels and their relation to tropical forests;
- Engages UCS activists, experts, and coalition partners to secure improved business policies and shape public policy related to palm oil, palm-based biofuels, and land use.
- Disseminates reports and other materials to targeted recipients; loads email alerts and other online activism tools; event and webinar coordination;
- Maintains departmental databases, publications, electronic and paper files, subscriptions, and staff calendar;
- Attends and represent UCS in select coalition calls and meetings, briefings, and conferences; and
- Provides support for projects as needed by the TFCI team.
Qualifications and experience
The ideal candidate for this position would possess an ability to simultaneously manage and prioritize many tasks and an ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Applicants should also demonstrate strong research skills, a positive, team-oriented attitude, and ability to work in a deadline-driven environment. Interest in and/or experience working on corporate sustainability, palm oil, and/or other forest and land use issues is a plus. Knowledge of and experience with mathematical modeling, statistics, and/or quantitative analysis desired.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong oral and written communication skills, and proficiency with computers. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook, Google Docs, and database and graphic manipulation software strongly preferred. Also needed are excellent interpersonal relations skills including an ability to work both independently and in teams, and to interact professionally with individuals with a wide range of skills and responsibilities. Bachelor’s degree required.
At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This full-time internship lasts until September 30, 2014 and is based in UCS’s Washington, DC office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is $15 per hour. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume and how you learned about the position via email to internship@ucsusa.org and include “TFCI Intern” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: October 6, 2013 or until filled.
Baker Media Internship
One-year internship
Washington, DC Office
The Position
Are you interested in a career in media relations and issue advocacy? The changing media landscape presents many opportunities to communicate about science, the environment and policy. The Union of Concerned Scientists is looking for a motivated student or recent graduate for UCS’s “Baker Internship” in media relations. This opportunity will provide participants with media experience working on exciting communication strategies at a leading national advocacy organization.
The Baker Media Internship is funded through the generous bequest of the late C. Edwin (Ed) Baker, Nicholas F. Gallicchio Professor of Law and Communication at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and one of the country's foremost authorities on free speech, the First Amendment, and mass media policy. The internship is designed to help further his interest in elevating science and policy issues for public consumption through the media.
Individuals from demographic groups underrepresented in science and environmental advocacy and from public universities are especially encouraged to apply. Students and recent graduates are eligible to apply for this competitive internship.
Responsibilities
- Pitching editors and reporters on story ideas
- Monitoring science and policy media coverage
- Drafting pitch memos to bloggers
- Scheduling television appearances and radio interviews
- Building and maintaining media contact lists
- Assisting with event publicity, media training, and public relations logistics
- Evaluating UCS’s public relations activities and making recommendations for improvements
- Providing media team with operational support
- Researching various topic to support media activities
Qualifications and experience
Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong oral and written communication skills, and proficiency with computers. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and Outlook. Also needed are excellent interpersonal relations skills, as well as an ability to work both independently and in teams. Interest in science, the environment, or media issues strongly preferred.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a one-year benefits-eligible position based in UCS’s Washington, DC office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is $15 per hour. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, whether you are available full-time or part-time and how you learned about the position via email to internship@ucsusa.org and include “Baker Internship” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: October 14, 2013 or until filled.
Midwest Clean Energy Outreach Intern
One-year, full-time internship
Chicago, IL Office
The Position
The Climate & Energy Program seeks an individual for a full time, one-year internship to work in the UCS Midwest office to help advance climate and energy policy in one of the most important regions in the nation. UCS is seeking an outreach intern to conduct outreach to key audiences, assist in state and federal level legislative campaigns, and serve as a representative of UCS in the region.
Responsibilities
- Conduct outreach in target Midwest states to build support for strong state clean energy policies and federal greenhouse gas emission standards. Specifically, engage and mobilize scientists, energy experts, energy sector stakeholders, coalition partners, and others through online and offline communications.
- Assist in releasing new UCS reports and whitepapers through outreach to key Midwest audiences, including scientists and experts, state and federal lawmakers, energy regulators and coalition partners/stakeholders.
- Coordinate the online communication strategy to Midwest experts and activists in regards to Midwest clean energy issues through action alerts and email campaigns.
- Assist UCS Energy Campaign staff in handling day-to-day projects and activities based on urgency. This will be in the form of doing background research, responding to inquiries, and/or attending meetings or events.
- Track all outreach activities and contacts by creating and maintaining distribution lists and creating follow up reports as needed.
Qualifications and experience
Candidates must have strong demonstrated organizational skills as well as excellent written and oral communication skills. Must have the ability to be flexible to respond to fast-changing campaign needs; ability to write for and speak to lay audiences; and ability to communicate effectively with professionals who may be expert and/or prominent in their fields. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is required. A solid level of understanding of database maintenance, web management and on-line organizing tools is preferred. Strong candidates will have a proven track record of taking initiative and being comfortable managing projects. Campaign experience is a plus. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time internship lasting until September 30, 2014, based in UCS’s Chicago, IL office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is $15 per hour. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, how you learned about the position, and resume via email to internship@ucsusa.org and include ”Midwest Outreach Intern” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: October 14, 2013 or until filled.
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship, established in 1987, is a highly-competitive national fellowship program that provides college graduates with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security.
Twice yearly, the Fellowship's Board of Directors selects a small group of outstanding individuals to spend six to nine months in Washington. Supported by a monthly stipend, the fellows serve as full-time project assistants at the participating organization of their choice.
The Union of Concerned Scientists is one of the organizations where Scoville Fellows can elect to work.
Scoville Fellows, through independent projects and active participation with their chosen organization and the larger community dedicated to peace and security issues, have rich opportunities to gain experience and leadership skills and to help translate their social concerns into direct action. In addition, each fellow selects a board member to serve as a mentor and mentor, smoothing the transition to Washington, DC.
Scoville Fellows are selected from an international pool of distinguished applicants. Prospective fellows are expected to demonstrate excellent academic accomplishments and a strong interest in issues of peace and security. Graduate study, a college major, course work, or substantial independent reading that reflects the substantive focus of the fellowship is also a plus. Prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy is highly desirable. It is preferred, but not required, that such activities be focused on peace and security issues.
For information on how to apply, please visit the Scoville Peace Fellowship website.
