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Transportation Policy Intern

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy


Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a nonprofit organization with more than 160,000 members and supporters, 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 and connecting corridors.  Rails-to-Trails 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 2 to 4 months.  

For more information about the internship and the application process, go to: https://www.railstotrails.org/about/careers/internship-transportation-policy/