Program Internship, Trail Development/Policy, Washington, D.C. - Posted 08/20/2007 Open Until Filled

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About Our Internship Program
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation's leading advocate for trails and the only national organization devoted to converting unused railroad corridors into multi-use trails. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., RTC has regional offices in California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

RTC is looking for interns interested in working on environmental and public policy issues. Interns will provide assistance to the program, development, communications and administrative departments. Job assignments will consist of professional and administrative support. Interns will participate as full-time staff members, including attending staff meetings, retreats and social gatherings. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments. Generally hours are four days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Summary of this Opportunity
The Program Department's Trail Development/Policy Team has several full or part-time internship positions available for the Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer terms. Interns will assist staff as follows:

• Assist the Coordinator of Trail Development and Outreach with the creation and maintenance of technical assistance related documents, reports and web content.
• Assist the Trails Information Coordinator with the maintenance of RTC's trail database.  Specific duties may include updating the database with relevant rail-trail news and reviewing/updating trail and rail corridor information within the database.
• Assist the Manager of Trail Development with national trail-building projects. Specific duties may include GIS mapping of trail projects and project related research.
• Assist the Director of Research in ongoing policy and other trail research studies.
• Assist the Trail Development/Policy Team with basic administrative support such as answering phones, making copies, mailing documents, filing documents, etc.

Benefits
Positions are unpaid though our Washington, D.C., office is conveniently located in the heart of the Golden Triangle District of downtown Washington, D.C. Just four blocks from the White House and near a variety of restaurants and shops, the office is near two metro stops: the Orange and Blue lines at Farragut West and the Red line at Farragut North. Nearby cultural attractions include the Smithsonian, historical monuments and the trendy Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan neighborhoods. (In March 2008, we will be moving to our new location at 2121 Wards Pl, NW, Foggy Bottom/West End.) 

Qualifications
Qualified interns will be students in undergraduate or graduate programs seeking on-the-job experience, or professionals looking to hone their skill set. In all internships, excellent writing and communication skills are necessary. RTC operates off a Microsoft Office platform, and experience in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook is expected. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in environmental issues or related studies, including trail development.

To Apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume indicating an internship preference (e.g. Communications, Program, Development) to:

Attn: Elton A. Clark
Human Resource Manager
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
1100 17th St., NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202.974.5153
Email: elton@railtrails.org
Fax: 202.466.3742

RTC is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.