The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Sustainability (CCS) integrates conservation needs with sustainable development priorities. Guided by the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CCS has worked with the development sector in developing best practices for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. CCS publishes research and conservation information for multiple audiences and develops training courses for conservation and development professionals. This internship focuses on assisting with the management of the Conservation for Development Professionals: Strategies for Implementing Biodiversity Action Plans for the Private Sector course being held in Front Royal, Virginia, from Aug. 7 to 11, 2017. CCS is located in the Smithsonian’s National Mall’s Ripley Center, in downtown Washington, D.C.
This is an unpaid internship opportunity wherein the selected intern will support CCS in conducting a professional development course. Through this internship, the intern will:
- Learn the procedures and process for executing a professional training course.
- Manage and execute tasks as assigned, related to administration, coordination and management.
- Learn how to create professional correspondence, emails and documentation for meetings.
- Interact and exchange communications with government and private sector professionals, as well as course participants.
- Learn skills associated with program management and be responsible for tracking timelines and program milestones.
- Find and select vendors in order to present purchase requests for approval for procuring goods for CCS.
- Coordinate and execute CCS staff meetings.
- Attend the Biodiversity Action Plan Course in Front Royal, Virginia, from Aug. 7 to 11, 2017, and prepare course materials and assist as needed.
- Attend to other international training programs tasks.
- Manage databases and timelines.
- Coordinate with research scientists, administrative staff, managers, guest speakers and course participants from international and national private and government sectors.
- Expand understanding and use of Microsoft Office programs.
- If interested, practice Spanish. CCS is a bilingual office.
Intern must be a college undergraduate and able to engage with staff and other interns within a team environment. Intern should have strong organizational skills, keen attention to detail, a willingness to take initiative and the motivation to seek new learning opportunities. A working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs is required.
A three to six month internship, depending on the schedule of the applicant, is available starting in late May or June. Interns will participate 40 hours per week, with exceptions made with prior approval. Reasonable exceptions to dates may be made in order to coordinate with university and work schedules. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
To apply, go to: https://solaa.si.edu. Select "Don't have an Account? Create An Account." Complete the information to create an account.
To apply, go to: https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html. Then, select "New to SOLAA? Create Account Here."
Information that will be requested (in SOLAA) includes:
- Basic personal information
- Resume or CV summarizing education (including current academic status) and employment experience.
- A one-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. The statement should mention relevant experience, career goals, your reasons for wanting this internship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Your statement is very important during application evaluations.
- Transcripts from your current and/or previous institutions. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Contact information for two references, including at least one academic reference (no letters needed at this time).
- Schedule of availability
Once you create your account and provide the information above, you will see a screen where you select the type of appointment you are interested in. You will select:
- Type of appointment: “Internship”
- Unit of interest: “National Zoological Park”
- Program: “Downtown - Course Logistics Intern"