Program Internship -Trail Development/Policy, Washington, D.C.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation's leading advocate for trails and the only national organization devoted to converting unused railroad corridors into multi-use trails. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails. RTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., we have regional offices in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Summary

RTC is looking for interns interested in working on environmental and public policy issues. Job assignments will consist of professional and administrative support. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments. Generally intern hours are 3-5 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Internship, Program Department, Trail Development Team, National Office, D.C. - The Program Departments Trail Development/Policy Team has several full or part-time internship position available for the Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer term. Interns will assist staff as follows:

" Assist the Coordinator of Trail Development and Outreach with the creation and maintenance of technical assistance related documents, reports, and web content.

" Assist the Trails Information Coordinator with the maintenance of RTCs trail database. Specific duties may include updating the database with relevant rail-trail news and reviewing/updating trail and rail corridor information within the database.

" Assist the Manager of Trail Development with national trail-building projects. Specific duties may include GIS mapping of trail projects and project related research.

" Assist the Director of Research in ongoing policy and other trail research studies.

" Assist the Trail Development/Policy Team with basic administrative support such as answering phones, making copies, mailing documents, filing documents, etc.

Benefits

Positions are unpaid. Our Washington D.C. office is conveniently located in the heart of the Golden Triangle District of downtown Washington, D.C. Just four blocks from the White House and near a variety of restaurants and shops the office is near two metro stops: the Orange and Blue lines at Farragut West and the Red line at Farragut North. Nearby cultural attractions include the Smithsonian, historical monuments, and the trendy Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan neighborhoods. (March 2008, we will be moving to our new location at 2121 Wards Pl, NW, Foggy Bottom/West End).

Qualifications

Qualified interns will be students in undergraduate or graduate programs seeking on-the-job experience, or professionals looking to hone their skill set. In all internships, excellent writing and communication skills are necessary. RTC operates off a Microsoft Office platform, and experience in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook is expected. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in environmental issues or related studies including trail development.