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
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.