WeatherizeDC Internship

The mission of The DC Project is to build new, lasting green economies in metropolitan regions that restore the environment, generate and capture wealth, and create new economic opportunities in disadvantaged communities as a means to address the interrelated challenges of poverty and ecological degradation. The DC Project applies cutting-edge organizing tools and tactics to mobilize community interest in home weatherization, creating economic savings, environmental benefits, and new green jobs.

The DC Project is a “Think+Action Tank”, testing and refining community-based demand creation methodology through its anchor program, WeatherizeDC, and developing models that can be replicated in communities across the nation to ignite the home energy efficiency market and move closer towards an equitable green economy. 

The Program:

WeatherizeDC, the anchor program of The DC Project, works with hundreds of D.C. residents to mobilize one of America's greatest assets—community leadership—to unlock the promise of the home energy efficiency industry for creating environmental benefits and good green jobs. WeatherizeDC recruits, develops, and trains community leaders and volunteers from neighborhood groups, faith-based networks and campus activists to engage, educate, and activate their communities to convince homeowners to invest in weatherization.

WeatherizeDC identifies homeowners interested in weatherization and passes them along to local home performance contractors, who deliver the home retrofit services. WeatherizeDC leverages the increased business it creates—through its community organizing efforts—for partnering contractors to ensure that new jobs created translate into career-track, sustainable-wage work for District residents who are most in need of employment. 

Position Overview:

WeatherizeDC Interns will work closely with WeatherizeDC leadership to recruit dedicated individuals and organizations to help build teams focused on weatherizing our community. Interns will have several opportunities to build a strong skill set that will help them excel in political campaigns, issue campaigns and non-profit sector jobs. They will work side-by-side with a team of talented and experienced organizers in a dynamic campaign atmosphere, working for justice and effective social change. 

Responsibilities:

WeatherizeDC Interns assist in: 

• Organizing volunteers to complete direct homeowner contact, including phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, direct outreach at community events, and participation in energy meetings, in which leaders educate homeowners about the benefits of residential weatherization and strategize with them about how to reach neighborhood weatherization goals
• Leading Volunteer Energy Assessments, WeatherizeDC's innovative ‘hands-on' engagement method, by training volunteers to become knowledgeable and trusted energy efficiency educators and assessors
• Supporting the field communications team by creating content for marketing materials, training documents, emails and new-media outreach, and the WeatherizeDC website.
• Conducting research in a variety of spheres, including local and federal energy efficiency policy and the landscapes of DC's political arena, home performance market, and workforce development community. 

Qualifications: 

This WeatherizeDC Internship will provide valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing work in community organizing, the non-profit sector, politics and campaigns, and environmental advocacy. WeatherizeDC Interns will walk away with an understanding of the essential tools, processes, and strategies of an effective field campaign, community-based initiative, and a fast-growing non-profit. 

Students with an interest in energy, environment, social justice, environmental justice, and/or organizing should apply. Campaign experience, political or issue-based, is preferred. 

Compensation: Internships with The DC Project are unpaid. Previous interns have received academic credit or work study for their work with the organization. Please contact your school for more information.

WeatherizeDC Interns will be expected to work between 5 and 25 hours per week, with dates and times flexible. Please include your availability in your cover letter. 

To Apply:

Start and end dates will depend on individual availability, and applicants will be screened and accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit the following (include “WeatherizeDC Intern” in subject line): 

• Resume 
• Cover letter 

Use your application materials to explain your interest in The DC Project and its mission; please highlight any exposure you have to the Washington, D.C. community and the dates of your availability. If you are applying for more than one position with The DC Project, please rank your interests. Please visit WeatherizeDC for more information.