Green Communities Intern

Attention Students: Paid Internships Available

The Great Valley Center is a non-profit organization working to support the Central Valley's communities as they solve the region's very serious social, economic and environmental challenges. Founded in 1997, we focus on objective problem solving, helping communities develop a healthy and sustainable future, helping citizens and decision makers make informed choices, and increasing the capacity of the region to act on its behalf. Great Valley Center has been selected to implement the Green Communities Program, a Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) administered-program, funded by ratepayer dollars under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

Position Overview:

The GVC is seeking paid college interns to complete the data-collection, calculation, and reporting of emissions from local government activity which will serve as a baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), per state recommendations under AB 32. Selected interns will be paired with local governments in the San Joaquin, Merced, and west Kern County areas, and provided with support and training on data-collection strategies, emissions calculations, and reporting guidelines.

Students will be exposed to a wide range of topics, including: hands-on experience conducting data analysis, applied research methodologies, working with local government staff, working with non-profit organization staff, comprehensive report writing, exposure to state and local public policy, etc..

Responsibilities:

Selected interns will be required to:

Work with Great Valley Center staff coordinating the program. The program entails:

• Submitting progress reports and attaining agreed-upon objectives in a timely manner
• Developing a program strategy in order to most effectively collect data
• Collaborating with other interns at ad hoc work sessions
• Presenting creative solutions to difficult problems in a team environment
• Attendance at biweekly meetings with GVC Staff, Local Government Staff Participants, ICLEI Training Team, and PG&E Program Manager

Attend a 6-session workshop training series led by ICLEI staff. Interns will learn:

• To utilize ICLEI's Clean Air and Climate Protection software (CACP 2009)
• How to collect and analyze data from various sources related to greenhouse gas emissions
• How to provide proper documentation procedures for reporting municipal emissions in California

Assist 1 or 2 jurisdictions in performing the Local Government Operations Emissions Inventory. This element involves:

• Working alongside staff from the jurisdiction
• Collecting, conditioning, and analyzing activity data from the jurisdiction staff and data records, such as: facility energy consumption, vehicle odometer readings and/or fuel consumption records, number of employees, employee commute patterns, air conditioning unit refrigerant leakages, etc. (as required by the Local Government Operations Protocol)
• Travelling to and from the jurisdiction to collect data and meet with staff
• Maintaining communication with staff via telephone, email, webinar, and in-person meetings

Work unsupervised for at least 10 flexible hours each week, demonstrating a high degree of autonomy and accountability

Completion of a baseline Local Government Operations Emission Inventory for each assigned jurisdiction, which includes:

• Data spreadsheets of collected activity data (template provided)
• Documentation of correspondences with data sources (template provided)
• Calculations from Clean Air Climate Protection 2009 (software provided)
• A Narrative Report of findings, methodologies, and recommendations (template provided)

Qualifications: 

Educational Background:

Students currently enrolled at a local university are encouraged to apply. Students who have successfully completed coursework in Ecology & Sustainability, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Political Science, Public Administration and Sociology are strongly encouraged to apply. While all applications will be considered, upper division students will be preferred. Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong communication and quantitative analysis skills, as well as a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

Requirements:

• Availability to work at least 10 hours per week, through the end of the spring 2012 semester
• Reliable transportation to/from Modesto for training and an assigned government office within San Joaquin or Merced County for data collection
• Ability to work remotely (e.g. from home, campus) where a computer and internet access is reliable, and the environment is conducive to adequately completing projects (Software requires access to a PC and/or Windows Operating System)
• Ability to attend orientations, trainings, group discussions, conference calls, and ad hoc work sessions in Modesto and via webinar
• Ability to report to an assigned local government facility to meet with staff, collect information, and present progress reports/findings. The intern may also be required to visit off-site government facilities (e.g. recreation facilities, water treatment facilities, etc.)
• Proficiency in computer applications:
  o Microsoft Excel - Manipulation of data; transferring data; development of charts and tables (selected interns will be required to take and pass an excel proficiency exam)
  o Microsoft Word - Entering and formatting text; inserting charts, tables, and other visuals
  o Microsoft PowerPoint - Creating and editing slides; inserting text, charts, tables, and visuals
  o Conducting research via internet
  o Proprietary software to be provided at orientation, during which time interns will be offered specialized training
• Ability to demonstrate basic knowledge in the following areas:
  o Climate change
  o Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  o Local government structure and operations
  o State climate/environment regulations
• Maintain professional (business casual) dress and grooming for contact with local governments and workshop training series.
• Ability to furnish documentation proving your eligibility to work in the United States
  o GVC may consider students, on a case-by-case basis, who are unable to accept compensation for this internship if the Center and his or her department feel he or she has potential to learn and contribute to the program.

Experience or Special Skills Desired:

• Knowledge of quantitative analysis/statistical decision-making
• Experience in report-writing
• Experience with local government
• Familiarity with the California Air Resources Board, AB 32, and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with California Environmental Quality Act and General Plan updates for Cities and Counties

Schedule:

Interns must be available to work an average of 10 hours per week. Interns may be flexible with their work schedules; however, standing meetings will be established early in the program and interns will be expected to attend (approximately once every two weeks). Most work will be completed unsupervised; thus, interns must exercise a high degree of autonomy and accountability. Most work will be completed off-site at a place of the intern's choosing, which should be conducive to adequately completing projects (e.g. reliable internet access, telephone access, quiet/calm environment, access to a PC/Windows platform).

Compensation: Upon successful completion of this program, the intern shall receive a stipend. Interns not completing the project will not earn the stipend. Prior to participation, Interns will sign an agreement confirming their understanding of the project expectations, their commitment to complete the project and their eligibility to work in the United States.

The GVC may choose to release the intern's stipend either for the full amount of $4,000 at program completion, or in disbursements throughout the course of the program.

The Green Communities Program is a collaboration between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and the Great Valley Center. The program is dedicated to providing innovative energy efficiency and climate change solutions for local governments and communities in the Central Valley within PG&E service areas. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

"PG&E" refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. © 2011 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved.