Sustainable Forestry Sector Research Intern
Program Details:
 Dates: June 15, 2015 to August 6, 2015
 Work Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30 – 5pm
 Location: Portland, OR
 Compensation: Modest Stipend
If you have a passion for building prosperity in our communities through beneficial banking
services delivered in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner, we invite you to
come join us this summer!
About Beneficial State Bank and Foundation
In 2007, BSB/F’s founding team shared a vision to start a bank that finances community-based
businesses, builds the long-term prosperity of responsible consumers and supports companies
that have a commitment to the environment. We believe that we can be a catalyst for positive
change in our communities by providing fair, transparent, and sustainable banking products
and services.
As a B Corp and a CDFI,1 Beneficial State Bank offers a full line of traditional banking services,
but with a distinct focus on the traditionally underserved: low-income communities, sustainable
businesses and job creation. And we look for ways to help non-profit organizations and
businesses that typically find conventional financing out-of-reach, such as specialty agriculture,
renewable energy, green building, and low-income housing. Beneficial State Bank operates
from a triple-bottom-line perspective, measuring financial as well as social and environmental
impact and outcomes.
Beneficial State Foundation owns all of the economic rights of the Bank – when profits of the
Bank are distributed, they can only be distributed to the Foundation which is mandated to
reinvest those proceeds back into the communities and the environment on which we all
depend. The Foundation engages in charitable and educational activities that primarily support
BSB’s community development mission and activities. We believe that financial knowledge and
sound financial practices can contribute profoundly to wealth creation, community
development and self-sufficiency.
For additional information, please visit beneficialstate.com.
1 B Corporations must create a material positive impact on society, and consider how their decisions affect their
employees, community, and the environment. More info at http://www.bcorporation.net/
CDFI, or Community Development Financial Institution, is a US Treasury Designation certifying that the bank has a
primary mission of community development and provides credit and financial services to underserved markets and
populations.
2
Position Overview
MBA, graduate and exceptional undergraduate students have a fantastic opportunity to apply their skills and experience to a dynamic, innovative organization that is pioneering “beneficial banking.” At the same time, summer interns will gain exposure to community and socially-responsible banking through a series of workshops led by experts in the fields of community banking, investing, and finance. Summer projects are challenging and designed to contribute to the intern’s career development. Past summer interns have both joined the Beneficial State team after graduation and leveraged their rich internship experience into careers in financial services and a variety of industries.
Project Overview
Forest resources and forest lands are prized natural resources for the States of Oregon and Washington. Given the importance of preserving these resources, there has been a growing movement for sustainable forestry, a practice that balances environmental, social and economic factors to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Under the guidance of staff, the intern will conduct research on the sustainable forestry sector.
Our interest is not solely about conventional tree harvesting, but of providing financing for forests that are beneficially managed for species diversification, and environmental and social resiliency. As a part of the project we want to identify forestry management practices that we would consider to be mission congruent and not contra-mission.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities
 Conduct research and produce a report on the sustainable forestry sector in the States of Oregon and Washington to identify the size of the market, key trends, financing opportunities, challenges and gaps experienced by family forestland and timberland owners
 Research best practices, products and/or services offered by other lending institutions to meet the needs of this market in Oregon, Washington on in other parts of the United States
 Identify and map the supply chain for vendors in this sector
 Provide recommendations for the bank to develop an initial plan and strategy to bridge capital needs/gaps with a viable product offering(s)
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
 MBA or graduate students studying Sustainable Business, Forestry, or Planning. Exceptional undergraduates enrolled at an accredited 4-year college with a similar academic focus are also encouraged to apply.
 Keen sense of organizational behavior and business acumen
 Strong communication, diplomacy and people skills
 Great writing skills with keen awareness of target audience; strong research skills
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 Capacity to take initiative, consult, share information and ask questions within the Bank and Foundation and with other organizations as needed
 Comfort working in a culturally diverse setting with employees ranging from front line staff to executives
 Highly self-motivated with an entrepreneurial spirit and a bias for action to produce quality work in a fast paced environment, as part of a team or independently
 Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint required
 Curiosity about, interest in, or passion for community development, banking and people; zest for learning
 Great sense of humor a plus
How to Apply
To apply for an internship position, please prepare a thoughtful cover letter and submit along with your resume at bit.ly/2015BeneficialStateInternshipApplication. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until filled. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure full consideration.
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2015BeneficialStateInternship. Please direct questions to Maritessa Bravo Ares, Program Manager at mares@beneficialstate.org.