Communications Intern

USGBC-Northern California seeks an exceptional Communications Intern (Summer) for a unique opportunity to support a high-profile sustainability initiative with leading Silicon Valley companies.

Known for its LEED green building certification program, USGBC is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. Visit USGBC for more info.

USGBC-Northern California (NCC) is part of a network of approximately 65 USGBC Chapters throughout the United States, which represent USGBC in their respective regions. NCC is one of the largest USGBC Chapters in the country and the leading green building organization in Northern California. The Chapter is headquartered in San Francisco and has volunteer-led branches in the Mount Diablo region of the East Bay, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley. Visit USGBC-Northern California for more info.

Position Overview:

The position reports to the USGBC-Northern California Senior Manager and is based in San Francisco. The internship runs full-time from June-August/September, and could lead to other opportunities.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) seeks an exceptional, bright, highly motivated person, with outstanding verbal and written communication skills, to support a high-profile corporate sustainability initiative that USGBC is gearing up to launch in partnership with leading Silicon Valley global brands including Google, and others. More information will be provided in person given that this initiative is not yet public.

This is a very unique opportunity to work on an exciting initiative associated with the Road to Greenbuild , a larger initiative to build momentum for Greenbuild, the largest green building industry conference in the world that's coming to San Francisco in November (35,000 expected); and, an opportunity to become part of one of the most important and respected sustainability organizations worldwide.

Responsibilities:

• Strategy and Action Planning: Work with the USGBC-NCC Senior Manager to implement a California strategy and action plan around the initiative.
• Outreach/Marketing/Media: Develop relationships and interface with partner organizations, such as trade associations. May include some PR/media relations activities, depending on the candidate.
• Relationship Management: Serve as a point of contact for companies, ranging from Fortune 500 firms to small businesses, who are considering committing to the initiative, or who have already committed.
• Content Development: Develop written content for USGBC-NCC's newsletters (22,000 subscribers), website, and blogs.
• Program Development: Work with the Senior Manager to implement a Supporting Partner program.
• Miscellaneous support. This may include, but is not limited to:
  o Support USGBC-NCC's 3 Advocacy Committees (Green Schools, Sustainable Neighborhoods, and Green Homes).
  o Grant funding research and support, and other projects that arise.

Qualifications:

Skills and Qualities:

The candidate should be an outstanding self-starter, versatile, results-oriented, and eager to grow and learn. Candidates should have a passion for green building and an understanding of its critical role in mitigating global climate change and promoting overall sustainability.

Qualifications include:

• Demonstrated outstanding written and verbal business communication, client/customer service, organizational, and time management skills.
• PR/media relations experience desired, but not required.
• Ability to work well in a dynamic environment with others (Staff, Committees, and Volunteers).
• Enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, flexibility and ability to multi-task.
• Passion for USGBC's mission.
• Professional and/or volunteer experience (i.e. internships, clubs/organizations, etc).
• Must be detail oriented.

Recommended Majors/Career Paths include:

Major or specialization in Business, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Political Science, English, Environmental; or relevant experience preferred.

Compensation: Benefits of Internship:

• Work for the USGBC, one of the most important and respected sustainability organizations worldwide.
• Exceptional, high-profile opportunity for professional development and to build experience in: marketing, communications, strategy and project development, stake-holder engagement, and more...
• Develop contacts with some of the leading firms in California.
• Attend USGBC-NCC workshops and events free-of-charge, during the duration of the internship.
• Exposure to Northern California's green building industry, the largest market in the country.

Additional Details about the Internship:

• Full-time: 7 hours per day; Monday-Friday.
• Position duration is approximately June-August, 2012, but could go on longer.
• Position is unpaid, but will provide invaluable work experience.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter explaining why you are interested in working for USGBC, a resume, and references by 5/23/2012. Please include "Communications- Summer Internship" in the subject title.