Sustainable Materials Recovery 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 70 businesses, organizations, universities, and non-U.S. governments. PSI establishes cooperative agreements to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. 

Position Overview: 

The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) seeks an organized and outgoing individual to help direct a pilot project in Lowell and Melrose Massachusetts. Based out of PSI's Boston office, the intern will work closely with PSI to design a project to increase the recycling and safe management of hazardous products commonly found in household items such as used electronics, mercury-containing products, and batteries. These products pose a threat to public health and ecosystems when they are thrown away with the regular trash.

The intern would be in charge of designing an outreach strategy to engage consumers who may otherwise improperly dispose of these products. The intern will also need to work closely with PSI to communicate directly with policy makers to help raise awareness about the environmental and public health effects of improperly managing products containing hazardous materials, and promoting policies to encourage design for environment and closed loop recycling systems where possible.

Responsibilities: 

Potential tasks might include:

• Preparing fact sheets or other materials for use in the advocacy effort.
• Attending hearings, work sessions, or other events to promote existing programs.
• Designing outreach campaigns to key stakeholder groups.
• Working with PSI and other organizations to coordinate outreach campaigns and ensure the most effective use of available resources.
• Some travel within the State of Massachusetts will be required.

Qualifcations:

The intern should have excellent organization and communication skills, both written and oral, and be passionate about educating others about the need for sustainable materials management and reducing the environmental impact and public health risks associate with exposure to toxic chemicals. The ideal candidate will have experience or knowledge related to environmental advocacy and/or waste and recycling issues, and a sufficient background in environmental and public health issues to learn and articulate the issues effectively.

Compensation: Un-paid.

Duration: This internship will begin September 2011 and will be completed in May 2012.

Time Commitment: 10-20 hours a week (this can be adjusted). Applicants must be able to commit to the full internship (until May 2012).

To Apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, and 2 writing samples (preferably 1 short and 1 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?