We are no longer accepting submissions for Spring 2022 Internships.

We are seeking highly-qualified candidates to join our 2022 Spring Internship program. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in advocacy, communications, policy, urban planning, transportation, or environmentalism to expand their understanding of smart growth issues, sharpen their real-world writing skills, and gain a thorough understanding of the operations of a small, highly effective nonprofit organization. Internships are virtual.

Policy Intern

The Policy Intern works closely with the Maryland Advocacy Manager and Northern Virginia Advocacy Manager to provide support for their smart growth campaigns. 

Responsibilities:

• Updating website(s) with information about campaigns, upcoming events, action alerts, and more 
• Creating educational materials on missing middle, safe streets, and smart growth
• Assisting with planning for meetings and events
• Creating brochures and flyers for tabling
• Assisting with writing testimony for local and state bills and GGWash blog posts
• Putting together Montgomery County missing middle photo library
• Assisting with Maryland and Montgomery County election platforms
• Editing video of Thrive 2050 supporters’ testimony
• Assisting with our Safe Streets for Bailey’s Crossroads campaign in Fairfax

Qualifications: 

• Basic knowledge, understanding of, and interest in smart growth or related issues, including urbanism, transportation, affordable housing, land use, and urban planning
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks
• Experience with or understanding of local and regional governance a plus
• Familiarity with WordPress and EveryAction a plus

Commitment & Compensation: This is a part-time position paid at $15/hour from February to mid-May (15-17 hours per week). Internship schedule and hours are flexible depending on the intern’s schedule. 

Photography & Design Intern

The Photography & Design Intern works closely with the Communications & Fundraising Assistant to provide support for spring events and CSG’s 25th Anniversary.

Responsibilities:

• Photographing smart growth, transit-oriented communities, and sprawl for our updated Blueprint for a Better Region and End of Year campaigns 
• Photographing any in-person events (walking tours, 25th Anniversary, etc)
• Assisting with creating a communications plan to promote CSG’s 25th Anniversary 
• Creating promotional graphics for 25th Anniversary
• Assisting with designing our Blueprint for Better Region

Requirements:

• Experience with InDesign, Illustrator, or other design software
• Experience taking photos with a DSLR
• A demonstrated love of photography and design as tools to inform and win change.
• Ability to work independently and think creatively
• Basic knowledge, understanding of, and interest in smart growth or related issues, including urbanism, transportation, affordable housing, land use, and urban planning a huge plus

Commitment & Compensation: This is a part-time position paid at $15/hour from February to mid-May (10-15 hours per week). Internship schedule and hours are flexible depending on the intern’s schedule. 

Research & Policy Analysis Intern

The Research & Policy Analysis Intern works closely with the Senior Policy Fellow to create analyses that powerfully demonstrate using data and graphics the climate and social equity benefits of smart growth, affordable housing, and multimodal transportation strategies.

Responsibilities: 

• Conducts research and analysis on transportation, housing, and/or land use policies, plans and existing trends in the DC metro region, especially as they relate to climate emissions reduction and resiliency needs and strategies.
• Tasks relate to current initiatives such as the Visualize 2045 regional long-range transportation plan, NVTA TransAction plan and six-year program, regional housing targets, local jurisdiction climate action plans, and local small area and transportation plans. 
• Research is conducted using available online resources and contacting government agencies and other organizations to consult with their staff as needed by phone, video conference and email.
• Assists in production of policy reports, articles, and supporting materials such as charts, graphics, and presentation slide decks, from research and analysis. 
• Performs quality control checks on research and analysis products.

Requirements:

• Knowledge, understanding of, and interest in urban context of climate change mitigation, smart growth and/or related issues, including transportation, affordable housing, land use, urban planning, and local and regional governance.
• Ability to understand and synthesize highly technical urban planning documents 
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, follow-up or initiate research inquiries via phone as well as email, and complete tasks
• Quantitative analysis skills using spreadsheets and creating simple charts
• Strong technical writing skills
• Experience with statistical software or InDesign, Illustrator, or other design software not required but a plus.
• Graduate student preferred but highly qualified undergraduate candidates will be considered.

Commitment & Compensation: This is a part-time position paid at $15/hour from February to mid-May (12-15 hours per week). Internship schedule and hours are flexible depending on the intern’s schedule. 

To apply

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to jobs@smartergrowth.net by February 7th, 2022. Please indicate which position you are applying for in the subject line. Include a 2-page writing sample if applying for the Policy Internship or Research & Policy Analysis Internship. If applying for the Photography & Design Internship, include a link or .pdf to your design portfolio.