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Internship, Transportation Policy

Open until filled


Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines.  RTC is a significant player in shifting national transportation policy to support goals of health, economy, livable communities and environmental justice. Our strategy is to focus on making system-wide improvements at the city and county level that offer safe, convenient connectivity so people of all ages and skill levels can get around on foot or by bike. 

Interns working with the RTC Policy team will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best-trained and experienced policy professionals in Washington, D.C. Prior successes include significant accomplishments such as establishing the U.S. DOT’s Transportation Enhancements program in ISTEA and the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program in SAFETEA-LU.

Job Description:  RTC’s Policy team has an opening for a two to four-month Transportation Policy Intern. The active-transportation movement continues to grow, and there is an opportunity to expand our partners in the movement. State funding for transportation presents a new and growing area of opportunity to secure additional funding for trails, walking and biking. This internship is an opportunity to help grow the movement and influence state level policy.  The intern will assist the team on one or more aspects of making our case to federal and state officials. Duties will include the following:
  • Assist in building a broad-based network of national, state and local organizations to achieve support for our active transportation policy agenda. Tasks include:
  • Identifying, categorizing, and cleaning up existing list of partner organizations
  • Creatively identifying new potential partner organizations with similar mission focuses
  • Target specific groups for future cultivation 
  • Build out an online resource center of best transportation funding policy practices in states. Tasks may include:
  • Researching existing policy best practices
  • Designing the resource center and how it will be accessed online
  • Writing and producing content for this project for the RTC website
  • Conduct state legislative searches, track relevant legislation and monitor relevant policy news as it emerges
  • Additional communications and writing tasks, and potential cross-departmental work, as they arise, to assist with legislative advocacy work

The ideal candidate should be currently enrolled at a college or university, looking for course credit, and able to commit to a summer or semester’s worth of interning (2 to 4 months).

Qualifications:  Senior undergrad or master’s degree student working toward a degree in Planning, Public Policy, Social Sciences or Political Science with an emphasis on American Politics or Transportation Planning.  Applicants should be task oriented and highly organized and possess a strong interest in the topics of health, environment, sustainable transportation, pedestrians, bicycles or trails.

Internships are unpaid; however, interns using public transportation to and from the national office are eligible for travel reimbursement costs. The office is accessible by the metro’s red, orange, and blue lines and nearly equal distance between the Foggy Bottom and DuPont Circle metro stations. Interns can expect to work in a causal and sociable work environment, while maintaining a professional office atmosphere.  Interns will also have the opportunity to network with other interns and staff members working in different departments.

To Apply:  Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé by e-mail, indicating a “Policy Internship” preference, including how you learned of this announcement, to the following contact:

Human Resources Manager, elton@railstotrails.org
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Duke Ellington Building
2121 Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20037

Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. No phone calls, please.