Now accepting fall internship applications
This fall will look a little different than our typical internship, with all work being done remotely and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines. But one thing remains the same: interns will still have an opportunity to make a big difference on our campaigns.
We are now accepting applications for Environment Oregon fall interns! This fall will look a little different than our typical internship, with all work being done remotely and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines. But one thing remains the same: interns will still have an opportunity to make a big difference on our campaigns.
The Environment Oregon internship is designed to help train the next generation of environmental leaders by instilling the skills, ethics, and drive it takes to win campaigns. We are looking for people who work hard, communicate effectively, and are dedicated to positive social change; responsibilities include grassroots organizing, media outreach and organization building. Interns will have the opportunity to develop and execute campaign strategies for winning critical parts of our state-wide efforts.
Campaigns
Fall 2020 Interns will work on one of our campaigns:
- Climate Defenders: We are running a volunteer mobilization program to build public support for ambitious action on climate in Oregon. Our Climate Defenders program develops volunteer leaders in critical communities who can help educate and engage the public on climate change, recruit new volunteers, train more leaders and execute a variety of tactics.
- Keep Plastic Out of the Pacific: Nothing we use for 10 minutes should pollute the environment for hundreds of years. We are running a public education campaign to teach kids aged 5-10 about the impact that plastic pollution has on wildlife and empower them to do something about it.
- Wildlife Over Waste: One of the most egregious single-use plastics is polystyrene (the stuff we call Styrofoam), which wreaks havoc on our environment and wildlife. We are working to build support for a statewide ban on polystyrene foam takeout containers and cups in the 2021 legislative session.
Specific responsibilities include:
Grassroots Organizing:
1) Identifying and organizing businesses, local leaders, and citizens to promote environmental protections
2) Media outreach: Assist in organizing a press event and writing letters to local papers
3) Collecting petitions, running activist phone-banks, and using our network to put pressure on local leaders directly
Organization Building:
1) News Watch: Track media for stories and opinion pieces relevant to our campaign and organization
2) Maintaining reports on local political climate, researching opportunities for environmental progress
3) Administrative: Help ensure the office and organization continue to run efficiently
Expectations:
Interns must work a minimum of 10 hours per week for at least 10 weeks on a regular schedule, as determined at the beginning of the term. All work will be remote and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Interns must be on time and prepared. They must be able to work independently. This is an unpaid internship; it may be completed for college credit. Send resume & cover letter to Environment Oregon State Director Celeste Meiffren-Swango at [email protected].
Authors
Celeste Meiffren-Swango
State Director, Environment Oregon
As director of Environment Oregon, Celeste develops and runs campaigns to win real results for Oregon's environment. She has worked on issues ranging from preventing plastic pollution, stopping global warming, defending clean water, and protecting our beautiful places. Celeste's organizing has helped to reduce kids' exposure to lead in drinking water at childcare facilities in Oregon, encourage transportation electrification, ban single-use plastic grocery bags, defend our bedrock environmental laws and more. She is also the author of the children's book, Myrtle the Turtle, empowering kids to prevent plastic pollution. Celeste lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband and two daughters, where they frequently enjoy the bounty of Oregon's natural beauty.