Posted 08/20/2007 Open Until Filled
http://www.railstotrails.org/whoweare/careers/intern_GIS_082007.html
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. RTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 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
RTC has openings for several interns interested in working on our GIS initiative, a multi-year effort to collect and digitize rail-trail information for open trails, projects in development and abandoned corridors. Interns will assist in collection of GIS data for open and project rail-trails, apply quality control procedures to the data, and update RTC’s ArcSDE database.
The data collection effort for open and project trails is being led by the Finance and Administration Department and Program Department. Interns working on open trails will report to the Director of Information Technology, and those working on projects in development will report to the Manager of Trail Development. All interns will work with RTC’s GIS Specialist. RTC offers full-time or part-time internship opportunities on a year-round basis. Interns receive hands-on experience with the suite of ESRI software products, conduct research, and may travel to conduct on-the-ground GPS data collection.
Interns will participate as RTC staff members, including attending staff meetings, retreats and social gatherings. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments. RTC’s official business hours are five days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Benefits
Positions are unpaid though interns will enjoy the benefits of working in downtown Washington, D.C., in the casual but professional RTC National Office. Easily accessible by metro’s red, orange and blue lines, the office is located in the heart of the Golden Triangle District, just four blocks from the White House and near a variety of restaurants and shops. 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 in GIS. Due to the initial training investment required for this internship, we request at minimum a three-month commitment. Ideal candidates will have some experience using GIS and a working knowledge of ESRI’s ArcGIS product family. RTC operates off a Microsoft Office platform, and experience in Word, Excel, and Outlook is expected. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in GIS.
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.