Schools Advocacy Internship

The Schools Advocacy Intern will support the advocacy components of the U.S. Green Building Council’s National Green Schools Campaign, primarily within state legislatures. Overall responsibilities will include tracking and analyzing relevant green schools legislation, assisting elected officials and staff who are working to advance policies that promote the benefits of green schools and providing programmatic support for green schools legislative summits.

This is an unpaid, semester long internship, with a time commitment of approximately 10 hours per week. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in public policy, the ability to communicate effectively with high-profile decision makers, attention to detail, flexibility in working with a variety of internal and external partners, and the ability to work against hard deadlines. The Schools Advocacy Intern will gain valuable subject matter expertise in green school policies, technical writing, and will have experience sustaining and cultivating supportive relationships with elected officials.

About the Center for Green Schools’ Advocacy Work with State Legislators

USGBC is committed to supporting federal, state and local governments in their pursuit and development of green building programs and initiatives. The 50 for 50 Green Schools Caucus Initiative is a catalyst for forward-thinking state legislators to coordinate, educate and reach out to their colleagues and constituents about the many benefits of green schools. From construction to renovation to curriculum to operations and maintenance, the caucuses will serve as an information resource for this increasingly sophisticated and complex public policy area.

Internship Details Include:

• Track and analyze bills within state legislatures
• Assemble comprehensive report of green schools policy trends
• Establish and maintain correspondence and relationship management with elected officials, particularly state legislators
• Assist with planning of green schools legislative summits
• Research and develop green school stories and case studies
• Support with communications for schools advocacy web presence

Education & trainings requirements/preferences

• Current enrollment in, or recent graduation from undergraduate or graduate program of study
• Major or specializing in political science, a literary field, business, nonprofit management, communications; or relevant experience preferred

Experience requirements

• Previous work experience in team/office setting preferred
• Experience in issue-based organizational alliances, and/or community engagement
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word required

Other required skills and qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills
• HTML, blogging, web research and social media experience a plus
• Excellent communication, organizational and computer skills (MS Office)
• A strong interest in program management and organizational growth
• Commitment to USGBC’s mission