SALARY:
$12.09 – $12.89 Hourly
OPENING DATE: 06/03/14
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
DESCRIPTION:
Background
This paid internship is with the Storm and Surface Water Utility. The Storm and Surface Water Utility is involved in many types of public education and outreach, including public outreach to reduce or eliminate non-point source pollution. One potential non-point source of pollution is nutrient and pesticide runoff from residential lawns. In this regard, the City of Olympia is currently involved in a two year regional grant-funded project to implement and evaluate a new natural lawn care education program.
The City of Olympia is seeking an intern to provide research, writing and organizational support for the natural lawn care education program. Additionally, as time allows, this position will assist the Stream Team Salmon Stewards program in August and September and other Stream Team projects. (For information on Stream Team go to www.streamteam.info.)
This paid intern position is for a college student enrolled in full time coursework.
Learning objectives include:
• Gain experience working for a storm and surface water utility on public involvement and education programs with a primary focus on natural lawn care
• Develop technical and plain-talk writing skills within a municipal utility setting
• Expand research skills through interviews from experts and a literature review
• Obtain hands-on experience in applying recruitment/marketing and training/education into print, video and social media.
Job Responsibilities:
Working with the Senior Program Specialist, the intern will perform activities such as:
• Natural lawn care program (approx. 80% of time) tasks will include:
o Research the best management practices for lawn care, focused on creating healthy soil and grass without the use of chemicals, through interviews and a literature review
o Combine research into a working draft document
o Assist with applying the best practices to create a healthy lawn naturally into a how-to manual, short videos and web site pages.
o Assist with recruitment and administration of the 2015 cohort of 200 participants for the natural lawn care program.
• Assist with the training and volunteer management of Stream Team Salmon Stewards stationed at the 5th Avenue Dam in downtown Olympia during August and September (up to 25% of time during these months, as time permits).
• Other assistance as needed with Stream Team or other Storm and Surface Water Utility programs, if appropriate and time allows (5%)
Knowledge and Experience: includes work, volunteer and academic experience
• Experience conducting research.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and Word).
• Experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Technical and casual writing and editing skills.
• Ability to keep organized records.
• Experience working on a staff or project team and establishing effective working relations.
• Analytical and creative thinker.
• Self-starter, able to work independently, multi-task and prioritize, complete tasks on time and produce quality, detail-oriented work.
• Experience working with the public.
• Able to provide exceptional customer service to Stream Team volunteers and lawn care program participants, as well as with the general public.
This position requires a working knowledge of basic science, as well as the ability to work with people and provide excellent customer service. Academic coursework in the following disciplines would be useful for this position: psychology, sociology, communication, chemistry, biology, natural sciences and/or environmental studies.
Salary and Schedule:
This one year paid internship requires that the student is currently enrolled as a full time undergraduate or graduate student. The internship can be renewed after one year. Work hours are 19 hours per week during school and 40 hours per week during school breaks and summer. Work hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. are somewhat flexible. Occasional evening and weekend work is required for events. This position will not be eligible to receive benefits such as health insurance, paid sick or vacation, or paid holidays.
How to Apply: Along with your electronic application, please submit a resume, cover letter (no more than 2 pages long on how you meet the experience listed above), supplemental questions, and a research paper. To be considered for the first round of interviews, please submit application materials by 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Patricia Pyle, Sr. Program Specialist, at (360) 570-5841 or via email at ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us
In order to participate in the recruitment process, accommodations for people with disabilities may be made by contacting Human Resources at (360) 753-8442. The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT: http://www.olympiawa.gov PO Box 1967 Olympia, WA 98506 360-753-8305
Position #1400056 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT/PLANNING & RESEARCH INTERN CW
Public Engagement/Planning & Research Intern Supplemental Questionnaire
*
1.
Describe at least three research papers you have researched and written in college.
*
2.
Were the papers written as a team or individually?
*
3.
What sources did you use for finding the research?
*
4.
What was your favorite paper and why?
*
5.
My Microsoft Excel experience can best be described as:
I don’t have any I have only worked on spreadsheets created by others I feel comfortable creating my own spreadsheets with basic formulas I can use intermediate to advanced functions like charts/graphs and Pivot Tables
*
6.
Write a list of courses that you have taken that may provide some academic background for this position.
*
7.
Describe your experience providing excellent customer service and/or why you feel you could provide excellent customer service in this position to the participants in the lawn care program, Stream Team volunteers, and/or the general public.
*
8.
Will you be enrolled in college for at least one year?
Yes No
*
9.
Can you make at least a one year commitment to this position?
Yes No
* Required Question