Communications Intern

Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. (PSI) is a national non-profit environmental institute with membership from 47 states, over 200 local governments, and more than 75 businesses, organizations, universities, and non-U.S. governments. PSI establishes cooperative agreements to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. For more information, please visit out website.

Summer 2013 Position Overview:

PSI is conducting cutting-edge work on product stewardship and sustainability, and seeks an upbeat, energetic, and dedicated individual who thinks creatively, works well independently and collaboratively, and thrives in a fast-paced entrepreneurial organization. PSI's communications intern will primarily assist in the implementation of various initiatives to expand the depth and breadth of our communications, marketing, and outreach to new and current audiences.

All PSI interns work on a variety of tasks, which will allow them to become informed about current stewardship programs across various product categories and industries. PSI staff members assist interns in developing one or two specific projects for which the intern can take primary responsibility. Interns also perform some administrative assignments, as do all staff. There are significant learning opportunities pertaining to substantive initiatives.

Time Commitment

Approximately15- 20 hours/week with a possibility of additional hours or a full-time opportunity during breaks and summer.

Responsibilities:

Potential tasks might include:

• Assist in the writing and/or copyediting of internal and external communication, including--but not limited to--member/partner correspondence, reports, position statements, newsletters, promotional materials, social media/blog posts.
• Conduct research to cull facts/figures/statistics for use in various external communications (e.g., fact sheets).
• Help develop communications calendars and other organizational "tools" to help the PSI communications team streamline and keep track of its many activities.
• Take detailed, accurate notes of key stakeholder meetings and conference calls and summarize key outcomes.
• Organize and help maintain national contact lists and databases to enhance the organization's ability to communicate with its constituents.
• Assist in ongoing outreach to members and partners to ensure a continued high level of member and partner services.
• Engage with members/partners and other stakeholders, as needed, by phone, email, or in person.
• Other tasks as needed (TBD).

Qualifications:

• Exceptional writing skills: writing must be clear, concise, and impactful; candidate must have ability to adapt one's "voice" to various audiences and to know when to adapt that voice.
• Exceptional spelling and grammar skills.
• Ability to stay focused and deliver high quality results in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, constantly changing work atmosphere.
• Degree in communications/MarComm/public relations/journalism
• A demonstrated understanding of the difference between journalistic/public relations writing and academic/scientific/business writing.
• Familiarity with AP Stylebook Guidelines (strongly preferred).
• Self-motivated, "go-getter" personality who doesn't shut down and leave at exactly 5 p.m. every day.
• Strong willingness to do tasks that may seem trivial or menial but that are, in fact, crucial to the success of various projects.
• Self-starter who shares ideas and actively tries to identify solutions to problems rather than just identifying the problems or waiting for someone else to provide the solutions.
• Strong time management and organizational skills (in terms of project management).
• Interest in and basic understanding of the "green" marketplace and the product-specific environmental issues that businesses and governments are facing.
• Proficient with MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint.
• Thick-skinned and willing to accept constructive criticism as a way to strengthen one's skills.

Compensation: Unpaid.

To Apply:

Please utilize the email address provided below to send a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (preferably one short and one long).

Please address all of the following within your cover letter:

• Are you able to reliably meet the minimum time requirement?
• Why are you interested in working on product stewardship Issues?
• Why are you interested in working for the Product Stewardship Institute?
• What in your academic or professional experience makes you uniquely qualified for this position?
• What do you hope to gain from this experience?

Application Due Date: May 30, 2013 However, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP.