CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING INSTITUTE INTERNSHIP
The Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) is seeking an intern to participate in its Climate Action Planning Institute (CAPI). The successful applicants will assist municipalities in the Mid-Hudson region with creating deliverables for New York State's Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program. CAPI 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.
The main focus of this virtual internship is to assist HVRC staff in delivering technical assistance services and guidance to local governments completing CSC program deliverables, such as greenhouse gas inventories, climate action plans, climate vulnerability assessments or climate adaptation plans. These foundational planning documents are fundamental to the CSC program, through which municipalities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate, as well as become both directly eligible for grants, and at an increased likelihood for receiving other grants.
Duties:
- Attend monthly CAPI cohort meetings.
- Help develop a community outreach and engagement plan for key stakeholder and public input.
- Create compelling charts and graphics for inclusion in plans.
- Meet with local stakeholder groups to educate and inform them on the climate action planning process.
- Assist local government(s) with drafting, reviewing and editing of plan.
Additional responsibilities may include:
- Collect, review and analyze municipal data.
- Research local municipal operations and plans.
- Help determine municipal strategies and goals related to the relevant plan.
- Execute a community outreach and engagement plan for key stakeholder and public input.
- 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 Manager and to the assigned Mid-Hudson municipality.
About The 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.
Please email your cover letter and résumé to the attention of Mary Lambert at mlambert@hudsonvalleyrc.org.