Sustainable Development Intern

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) and Savannah Riverkeeper (SRK) are seeking a Sustainable Development Intern that will collect data and research issues, concerns, and strategies focused on reducing the impacts from ongoing and anticipated port and logistics systems expansions in the Savannah region. The candidate will collate data and deliver reports that assist ORK and SRK in our advocacy in support of near-port communities and our shared natural and human environments. This paid part-time position will work as an integral part of a small staff and will report to the ORK Legal Director and SRK Program Manager. The position can be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote depending on individual needs and ability to fulfill the position’s primary responsibilities. 

To apply: Applications should be submitted electronically to: Ogeechee Riverkeeper - info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org. Please include “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTERN” in the subject line of the email. Include a cover letter, resume, list of completed/current coursework, short writing sample (8 pages maximum), and three references, as a single PDF. 

Please do not contact to ask questions about the position. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Catalog recent and ongoing warehouse construction projects to update/add to our existing warehouse tracking and visualization tool, and provide raw data to enhance other ORK/SRK materials. 
• Locate, investigate, and evaluate case studies of port-related growth in other areas for comparison, and determine best practices and common issues.
• Research methods to proactively prevent and retroactively respond to warehouse supply overbuild to prevent unnecessary tree canopy and wetlands loss, preserve open space, and avoid data centers usage of unneeded warehouses, and;
• Draft memoranda, factsheets, background papers, and other outreach materials synthesizing the information researched, with the goal of developing best practices to prevent warehouse overbuild and limit adjacent community impacts. 
• Draft, submit, coordinate, and review open records requests to local and state government agencies. 
• Attend local meetings and events, as available. 

Desired Qualifications and Skills: 

• Individuals with an interest and background in one of the of the following: public health/interest, environmental advocacy, community-led campaigns, logistics, and urban planning/development. 
• Prior experience researching and analyzing complex governmental agency strategies, policies and procedures, planning documents, permits, and implementing actions. 
• Strong writing, communication, analytical, and research skills. 
• Comfortable working and communicating with other advocacy organizations, governmental officials, and diverse communities. 
• Self-motivated, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and excellent attention to detail and time management skills. 
• Proficiency with computer applications and software, including Google Workspace and Zoom 
• Experience with ArcGIS is preferred but not required. 

Working Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that the Sustainable Development Intern encounters while performing the primary responsibilities of the role: 

• This position can be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote, depending on the circumstances of the intern. 
  • If in-person or hybrid - Much of the position will be performed in a climate-controlled office. As an environmental nonprofit, off-site events are frequently partially or entirely outdoors. Occasional regional travel may be required. Intern is required to move about their work area, ascend and descend stairs, and stand and/or sit for extended periods of time. The intern is occasionally required to lift, drag and/or move up to 25 pounds unassisted.
  • If remote or hybrid - Intern may complete this position from wherever the primary responsibilities can be achieved. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to receive oral and written instructions in English and to clearly communicate in English in person, over the telephone, through email and through other electronic means. 
• The employee is required to visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess. Special vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Intern will be responsible for providing their own computer, phone, and reliable internet access. Both are essential to completing the position’s primary responsibilities. 

Compensation - $15 per hour. ORK and SRK are happy to support the intern in earning class credits for this work. Pre-approved job-related expense reimbursements will be available. 

Time Commitment- ~10 hours per week, for around 33 weeks. ORK and SRK are happy to extend the work period beyond this time frame to help receive class credits. However, due to limited resources in our grant, pay, travel, and business expenses will not exceed $5,000 total for the internship. 

DISCLAIMER 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by the Sustainable Development Intern. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required to do this role. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3)works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 20 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org. 

About Savannah Riverkeeper: Savannah Riverkeeper 501(c)(3)is the leading guardian of the Savannah River, actively protecting the entire basin through education, advocacy, and collaboration. The Savannah River is over 300 miles long draining a watershed of 10,577 square miles across the states of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. More at savannahriverkeeper.org.