Internship description

Founded in 2001, Northwest SEED is a nonprofit organization that empowers community scale clean energy through expert guidance that combines technical support, community education and practical implementation to help communities achieve their sustainability goals. Northwest SEED is a lead partner in the Northwest Regional Wind Resource and Action Center, one of six teams across the nation funded by the Department of Energy to provide stakeholder engagement and outreach related to appropriate wind energy development in the region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming). To learn more about Northwest SEED and the project visit nwseed.org.

Northwest SEED is looking for a motivated, energetic person to support the Distributed and Community Wind Advisory Committee. The intern will provide focused research on specific wind energy barriers, create information resources that can be distributed to regional decision-makers, and assist with planning and facilitating regional work group meetings. The intern will work with staff to solicit feedback from regional stakeholders and refine the scope of work as needed. The intern will develop skills in regional planning, project financing, and presenting results of research. As an integral member of the project team, the intern will have opportunities to expand their network of clean energy professionals throughout the region.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Activities may include:

  • Research and build a reference catalog of zoning ordinances and permitting processes that impact distributed and community-scale wind energy development in the region.
  • Complete a GIS analysis of counties with a high wind resource overlaid with jurisdictions that have unfriendly zoning or permitting processes for wind energy to determine target counties for improvement.
  • Research and compile a toolkit of zoning and permitting best practices for distributed wind; refine the toolkit as necessary based on regional experience and stakeholder input.
  • Survey/interview key stakeholders in the region.
  • Research existing, new, and prospective financial mechanisms to support local, community-scale wind energy projects.
  • Complete economic analysis of the benefits of different wind lease and financing options.
  • Document research findings in written fact sheets, case studies, and/or presentations.
  • Create website content on distributed/community wind information and resources.
  • Assist with planning regional work group meetings; attend and record notes and next steps from stakeholder meetings.
  • With assistance and input from Northwest SEED and partner organizations, refine methodology for the research component of the project.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

  • Organized with strong attention to detail.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
  • Resourceful worker with a can-do attitude who is able to take initiative, follow-up and manage time efficiently.
  • Proficiency in MS Office.
  • Interest in clean energy issues and wind energy in particular.
  • Friendly and professional demeanor.
  • Experience with GIS software a plus.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

This internship is based in Northwest SEED’s downtown office with a desired start date of late September 2014. Some remote work and some travel is possible. Minimum commitment of 10-15 hours per week, for a 4 month period is required. The internship is unpaid; however, a small stipend may be available, contingent on grant funding.