BR-2302 Climate and Business Just Transition Graduate Intern
Overview
WWF Overview
For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.
Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.
Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.
BRIDGE – Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence
WWF’s diversity-focused internship program, BRIDGE, aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.
Position Summary
Addressing the challenge of climate change and creating a low-carbon, climate-resilient future for people and nature is a global priority for WWF. Rapidly accelerating the deployment of clean, renewable energy is a crucial aspect of our ambitious climate and energy strategy.
The Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC) is the leading coalition for organizations that are committed to scaling up renewable heating and cooling at their facilities and dramatically cutting carbon emissions. RTC members recognize the growing demand and necessity for renewable heating and cooling and the urgent need to meet this demand in a manner that delivers sustainable, cost-competitive options at scale. RTC members include manufacturers and state and local governments. RTC sponsors are renewable thermal suppliers, producers, and professional service firms that provide important institutional support for RTC’s work to advance renewable thermal solutions for large customers.
Reporting to the Director, International Corporate Climate Partnerships and the Manager, Climate, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental Justice, the Climate and Business Just Transition Undergraduate Intern will support WWF’s efforts to promote, DEI, environmental justice, and just transition through our leading multi-stakeholder climate partnership.
Responsibilities
Internship Description:
- Assess RTC members to identify their level of motivation and proactiveness in adopting a Just Transition framework and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) scope within their corporate responsibility strategies.
- Support the convening and management of the Just Transition Advisory Council, composed of JEDI stakeholders and subject matter experts.
- Research & Communications: Conducts research, synthesizes and analyzes complex information to develop knowledge products, and prepares internal and external communications materials in Just Transition and broader industrial decarbonization topics as needed in support of the RTC Just Transition Advisory Council.
- Develop the concept for a JEDI-dedicated session for the 2023 RTC Annual Summit.
- Provide logistics and administrative support to the management of the Just Transition Advisory Council.
- Conduct desktop research and build out databases on RTC members’ corporate responsibility strategies, focusing on JEDI related strategies and ESG priorities.
- Conduct desktop research focusing on JEDI related challenges in specific sectors such as food and beverage, chemicals, paper and pulp, etc.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date.
- Pursuing a non-doctoral Graduate program.
- Interest in the following topics: climate and environmental justice, just transition, clean energy transition, industrial decarbonization.
- Excellent research and writing skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with colleagues and partners is essential.
- Ability to support initiatives with multiple and competing priorities.
- Team player and good interpersonal skills.
- Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
- Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
- Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
- Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
- Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Preference will be given to candidates in a related field, such as communications, policy, economy, political science and environmental science.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding of federal policy on climate action and a deep dive in Just Transition, Climate Justice and Environmental Justice principles and frameworks, and its applicability to industrial decarbonization.
- Understanding of Corporate responsibility goals and ESG strategies with a focus on thermal industrial decarbonization.
- Improvement of communications, research and analysis, and project management skills.
WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:
- Development discussions with their manager;
- Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
- Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
- Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
- Session on resume and interviewing best practices.
Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.
Location:
US-DC-Washington
Compensation:
Paid - $21 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)
Internship Dates:
Internship will run from June 5, 2023 to August 11, 2023
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers Page, Requisition# BR-2302. In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.
If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.
* Please note that intern must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.
WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.