We invite you to join a dedicated and enthusiastic team at NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration where you will gain invaluable resume-building experience and an insider's perspective from the nation's leader in ocean conservation and management. Duration of internships can vary, most last at least 6 weeks.
As an intern, you will work on a variety of projects focusing on outreach and public engagement. Based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. (easily accessible on Metro's Red Line), you will be in the loop on and encouraged to attend marine policy events, lectures, conferences, and receptions that provide fantastic networking opportunities for your career development.
Position Description
OR&R faces the challenges of supporting NOAA and federal initiatives while keeping pace with Congress and constituents in support of our major programs:
- Emergency response support for 120–200 oil and chemical spills in coastal waters each year
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment and environmental restoration planning
- NOAA's Marine Debris Program
- NOAA's Disaster Response Center
OR&R works on critical environmental hazard issues, such as oil spill response, offshore drilling policy, marine debris prevention and reduction, and natural resource restoration. We are looking for motivated self-starters who enjoy independent as well as group work to join our team. The ideal candidate for this internship will possess a strong academic background and the desire to immerse him or herself in the world of marine policy and the internal workings of a federal office.
Major Responsibilities
- Assist in preparations for one-on-one meetings with key OR&R stakeholders (e.g., Arctic interests, international representatives, conservation groups, oil and gas industry members, other government agencies).
- Attend NGO, interagency, and Congressional events and prepare debrief materials for OR&R staff
- Assist in preparation for and execution of congressional outreach events, such as briefings, hearings, and testimonies
- Write and update biographical profiles for key members of Congress and stakeholder groups
- Track progress of key legislation and policy initiatives
- As experience permits, provide input on federal policy initiatives, including permits, administration views, and agreements
- Participate as a member of the OR&R Communications Team
- Assist in special projects as needed that fit your interest and skill areas, including research reports, video production, or media relations
Desired Qualifications
- Interest or experience in marine policy and communications
- Strong writing and verbal communications skills
- Familiarity with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software
- Excellent attention to detail and a strong work ethic
- Experience researching academic literature or legislation
- Familiarity with Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar
