CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING INSTITUTE INTERNSHIP 

The Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) is seeking up to 3 interns to participate in the Fall 2024 Climate Action Planning Institute Adaptation Program (CAPI Adapt). The successful applicants will assist municipalities in Westchester and Dutchess Counties with creating climate vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans. CAPI Adapt is a New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) funded program coordinated through HVRC with guidance and support from a team of subject matter experts. 

During the 2024 Fall Semester Internship, the intern will work with HVRC staff and others to deliver technical assistance services and guidance to local governments completing climate vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans. These documents are fundamental to the NY State Climate Smart Communities program, through which municipalities become both directly eligible for some grants, and at an increased likelihood for receiving other grants. 

Duties 

  • Attend monthly CAPI cohort meetings. 
  • Help develop and/or execute a community outreach and engagement plan to encourage public input into climate adaptation action recommendations.
  • Create compelling charts and graphics for inclusion in the climate vulnerability and adaptation plan. 
  • Meet with local stakeholder groups to educate and inform them on the climate action planning process. 
  • Assist local government(s) with drafting and editing a climate vulnerability and adaptation plan.

Additional responsibilities may include:  

  • Collect, review and analyze municipal data. 
  • Research local municipal plans related to climate vulnerability and adaptation. 
  • Help determine municipal adaptation goals. 
  • Execute a community outreach and engagement plan for input adaptation efforts. 
  • Identify and connect communities with other relevant campaigns and programs. 
  • Create engaging communications to publicize each municipality’s plan. 
  • Assist a local government with submitting plans to New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program. 

Expected time commitment: an average of four to eight hours per week.  

Minimum qualifications: Interest in climate action planning, clean energy, and NY State government and programs.  Experience in urban planning, environmental science, geography, or a related field a plus. Must be collaborative, passionate, able to work independently within programmatic structures, and motivated to research and make new contacts.  Must have strong communications skills. Must possess proficiency in Microsoft Office suite. Professional working proficiency in Spanish welcomed.  Position reports jointly to HVRC’s Climate Action Planning Institute Coordinator and to the assigned Dutchess or Westchester County municipality. 

Please email your cover letter and résumé to the attention of Mary Lambert at mlambert@hudsonvalleyrc.org. 

Hudson Valley Regional Council

The Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) was established in 1977 as an organization of county governments comprising Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. It’s one of 650 such councils in the United States that, in addition to providing a regional perspective, offers planning, education & outreach, and advocacy for the communities they serve.