Blogging/Writing Internship on Green Cities

Want to gain invaluable experience blogging about today's biggest environmental issues AND help drive a movement of cities committed to climate action and sustainability? Have we got an internship for you.

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, a membership association of local governments focused on climate protection, clean energy, and sustainability, is looking for a motivated and talented blogger/writer/communications intern to be based in our Oakland, CA, office.

The mission of ICLEI is to build, serve, and drive a movement of local governments to advance deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and achieve tangible improvements in local sustainability. Since its inception in 1990, ICLEI has grown to include over 1,100 local government members around the world, more than 600 of which are in the United States. ICLEI staff work closely with these local governments, providing technical expertise, training, software and other tools and critical networking opportunities to help them achieve their climate protection and sustainability goals. You can learn more at our website.

Position Overview:

For the spring 2010 semester (January-May), we're looking for a budding writer to help us take our Local Action Blog (www.icleiusa.org/blog) to the next level. Our blog tracks cities and counties on the front lines of climate, sustainability, and energy actions-an exploding field with limitless potential that is underreported across blogs and media outlets. How are cities preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change? How are they using stimulus dollars to create green jobs and fund clean energy projects? At ICLEI, you'll have the opportunity to produce original reporting on these and other vital topics.

Responsibilities:

• Write 1 to 3 blog posts per week depending on availability (we can be flexible with hours to accommodate school schedules)
• Monitor news stories and track trends related to climate change, energy, sustainability, and local governments
• Interview local government staff and field experts involved in clean energy, sustainability, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation initiatives.
• Write short success stories for our website, encapsulating the achievements of our local government members

Qualifications:

• Excellent writing, reporting, and research skills.
• Confident phone and interview skills.
• Experience writing news stories, blog posts, or website pages-published clips a big plus.
• An interest in and/or knowledge of local governments, climate, energy and/or sustainability or other related fields.
• Willingness to be edited and follow suggestions to develop as a blogger and sustainability communicator.
• Copyediting and proofreading skills a plus.
• Ideal candidates are recent college graduates or current graduate students in journalism, communications, or a related field; but we are open to considering applicants with other backgrounds.

To Apply:

To apply, please e-mail, fax, or mail a cover letter, résumé, and 3 to 5 writing samples. Your cover letter should detail your experience, qualifications, and availability, and explain why you feel you would be the right choice for this position. Send your applications to:
Don Knapp, Senior Communications Officer. Subject: Blogger/Writing Internship Application

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA
436 14th Street, Suite 1520
Oakland, CA 94612

E-mail preferred. This position is open until filled. No phone calls please. All materials submitted become the property of ICLEI USA and will not be returned.