Environmental Studies Impact Internship

As a River City Outdoors Intern you will work closely with the Program Manager to help achieve the desired outcomes which is to change the way outdoor recreation is accessed in the region by removing barriers and educating our community using our equity lens.

We will engage through our already and continuing to grow partner network, providing youth opportunities to learn about, play and enjoy different recreational activities that can include river trips, fishing, rock climbing, camping, and paddling to name a few. We will also educate and advocate what it means to be a good steward to our environment. The intern will play a key role as we seek to expand our network of community partners and strengthen the bonds with existing ones. Through meetings with key stakeholders from the education, political, business and non-profit sectors throughout the region so that we can best leverage our network to best serve our communities.

The Intern will:

1.     Assist in day-to day operation in all aspects of programming, teaching and scheduling events in the community.

2.     Develop written documents such as activity guides to be used by educators and a RCO program calendar.

3.     Assists in representing RCO views to community members and the general public by giving testimony, participating in meetings, public speaking events, and by establishing and maintaining professional contacts.

4.     Performs some general office duties and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

•    Interpersonal communication skills
• A commitment to racial equity and social justice
• Reliable Transportation
• Experience and interest in working with youth (ages 8 – 14)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Outgoing, excited to engage in St. Louis community
• Love of outdoors

 Additional notes:

Opportunities to spend a great deal of time exploring nature in a variety of settings, rivers, lakes and many more of Missouri’s outdoor amenities weather permitting.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Chris Geden a thriveoutside@rivercityoutdoors.org and to Griffin at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

The Sierra Club is the oldest & largest grassroots organization in the United States. In Missouri, we mobilize our 13,000 members to advance just climate solutions, get outdoors, act for justice, and protect land, air, water, & wildlife at the state and local level.

The Grassroots Organizing intern will work closely with their supervisor to engage Missouri residents to enjoy, explore, and protect the planet. Learn building blocks of Midwest Academy Grassroots Organizing and strategic community advocacy. Learn to organize people to take action and make a difference in your community. Lobby elected officials, work with community partners, engage the media, plan events, and speak to Missourians about the importance of protecting the planet.

The Grassroots Organizing Intern will:

1. Performs readings and assignments to learn about Midwest Academy for Grassroots Organizing, environmental justice, and environmental issues.

2. Participates (as part of a team) in planning and carrying out plans, strategies, projects, or campaigns to further Chapter strategic goals.

3. Assists in development of educational materials such as blog posts, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.

4. Assists in representing Sierra Club’s views to legislators, government agencies, administrative officials, news media, and the general public by giving testimony, participating in meetings, public speaking events, and by establishing and maintaining personal contacts.

5. Assists in contacting Sierra Club members, supporters, and community partners via phonebanking, email, canvassing, and tabling.

6. Performs some general office duties and other duties as assigned.

7. Learn and execute the tenants of the Midwest Academy of Grassroots Organizing model

● Organize, plan, lead, and participate in events to highlight pro-environmental messages

● Educate and inform audiences on Sierra Club priorities

● Help coordinate events and activities

● Produce written material, track data effectively, communicate with volunteers and support volunteer recruitment efforts

Required Qualifications: Interpersonal communication skills, a commitment to racial equity and social justice, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines to effectively reach goals, Self-motivated, flexible, and independent worker. 

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in community organizing and environmental issues in St. Louis & Missouri, means of personal transportation preferred, and personal phone and laptop preferred.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Gretchen Waddell-Barwick, Grassroots Organizer, at gretchen.waddellbarwick@sierraclub.org and to Griffin Knipp at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format, and include “Grassroots Organizing Internship” in the subject line. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

This position will provide the opportunity to work with Ujima, learn more about philanthropy, and become more involved in the St. Louis community. Food justice, environmental stewardship and youth empowerment are Ujima’s foundations. As a non-profit, pay-what-you-can service provider, they provide equitable access to food, education, and employment to marginalized communities. Ujima cultivates community through food justice, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment.

The intern will provide support to George Washington Carver Farms (Ujima’s urban farm), produce donations, Apprenticeship Program, Be Well Cafe’s Farmer’s Market, Fairground neighborhood clean up efforts and additional programming support. An ideal candidate has some level of experience in grassroots and community philanthropy, urban agriculture, community engagement, social media management, fundraising, and/or data entry. Reliable access to transportation is essential because we will meet at multiple sites throughout the summer.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Access to reliable transportation is required
• Helping Founder with planning and executing special events
• Support staff to plan and manage social media content for Ujima’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. 
• Support staff with farm and garden maintenance 
• Support staff with neighborhood clean up efforts and other special events
• Lead or co-lead tours and volunteer groups as needed
• Coordinate produce and meal donations as needed
• Developing an evaluation for participants in Ujima’s Apprenticeship Program.
• Learn about Ujima, and issues in the St. Louis community by attending meetings with staff, board members, and other volunteers as needed
• Support planning and coordination of Apprenticeship Program workshops, field trips, and camping trips
• Ensure implementation of policies and practices during Apprenticeship Program
• Monitor project budgets and track expenditures/transactions
• Keep all members of the team up-to-date with relevant project information
• Bi-Weekly check-ins will Founder to discuss Apprenticeship Program progress
• Keep updated records of attendance and create reports as needed
• Create presentations, summaries and helping materials to ensure better communication for information sessions and board meetings

Skills/Qualifications:

• Efficient – able to complete tasks in a timely and effective manner
• Flexible – able to respond to a variety of tasks and needs; able to work some evenings and to attend community events on occasional weekends (work schedule adjusted to provide equal time off during the work day)
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer skills
• Desire to learn more about philanthropy
• Desire to learn about community development, food justice, cooperative ownership, social enterprise, community wealth-building, and local economic development
• Desire to learn more about effective nonprofit practices, and what makes strong nonprofit and community groups
• Experience working or volunteering with diverse groups.
• For more information about Ujima, visit www.ujimastl.org.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Nick Speed (Ujimastl@gmail.com) and Griffin at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

Uprooted and Rising Overview:

Uprooted and Rising is a network of community-based campaigns fighting for a future that will sustain and nourish generations to come, here and abroad. The campaigns in our network are committed to ending higher education’s support for Big Food corporations and white supremacy in the food system and directing the energy of our generation towards food sovereignty.

We are led by people who have been historically disenfranchised in our food system and who share a stake in building one rooted in food sovereignty. We include food producers, organizers, researchers, and creatives that institutions of higher education are meant to serve. 

Local Resourcing is a program of Uprooted & Rising that is dedicated to building the capacity of BIPOC producers who are growing food, stewarding land, nourishing their communities, and building a future of food sovereignty. We build producer capacity by activating the redistribution  of resources of public and private anchor institutions and advocating for investments at the county, state, and federal level. The program also offers educational resources to BIPOC producers on accessing institutional and private markets while stewarding a producer network dedicated to to assessing needs, building community relationships, and sharing knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Uprooted and Rising Impact Intern will play a crucial role in St. Louis’s Local Resourcing program focused on building a community-controlled food system that centers the needs of Black producers and the St. Louis community. The role will be dynamic and include a mix of on-the-ground community organizing, campus research, and resource creation that will be guided by community-based producers and the intern’s interest. The intern will have an opportunity to organize alongside St. Louis’s urban agricultural community while building transparency on pathways for material investments towards BIPOC producers.

The following list describes the menu of projects available to the intern and its responsibilities:

1. Local Resourcing Audit
   1. Audit Washington University in St. Louis against the Local Resourcing Strategies in Real Food Standards 3.0 to determine the types and amount of investments the campus is making towards community-based producers
   2. Use food purchasing records from WashU dining to determine purchases from BIPOC producers
   3. Conducts outreach and interviews with campus administrators, producers, and community members to verify implementation of Local Resourcing strategies at WashU
2. St. Louis BIPOC Producer Mapping
   1. Research and compile a list of BIPOC farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food businesses in the greater St. Louis area
   2. Conduct outreach to producers to understand the products they offer and their needs 
3. Federal and State Policy Education
   1. Research federal and state policies such as the 2023 Farm Bill, American Rescue Plan Act, Justice40 Initiative, Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Missouri Universal School Meals Act
   2. Create an advocacy toolkit and informational resource of the above policies for St. Louis producers and community members
4. New Roots Urban Farm
   1. Create flyers for farm events and volunteer sessions
   2. Canvass in St. Louis neighborhoods to educate community on New Roots Urban Farm programming and Local Resourcing  
   3. Participate in volunteer days at New Roots Urban Farm (Tuesdays and Saturdays, noon-6pm)
   4. Provide field support as needed to other St. Louis-based Black farmers in New Root Urban Farm’s network

Deliverables:

• Audit of Local Resourcing strategies at Washington University
• Communications plan of audit findings
• List of BIPOC producers in greater St. Louis area with a crop plan
• Report on federal and state initiatives that include potential investment opportunities to producers

Note: The above list of deliverables is a menu of options and the intern is not expected to complete all four deliverables. Final deliverables will be solidified based on the intern’s interest and feasibility of a Local Resourcing audit at WashU.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled student of Washington University;
• Has a passion for food justice and a clear personal stake in transforming the food system and higher education’s role in shaping a better future for people and planet;
• Interest in and a desire to learn about WashU’s campus food system, St. Louis’s urban agricultural community, and food supply chains;
• Ability to build new relationships through networking and is comfortable reaching out to campus administrators, producers, and community members;
• Can manage priorities, follow through on tasks, and proactively seek out support when needed;
• Has a laptop with internet access;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Canva;
• Availability on Tuesdays and Saturdays from noon – 6pm is a plus.

To Apply:  Please apply by sending a cover letter, resume to Griffin at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format, and include “Uprooted and Rising ” in the subject line. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

The City of Clayton is recognized throughout the metropolitan area for an outstanding quality of life combining a bustling downtown with quiet, secure residential neighborhoods. Just west of the Washington University Danforth Campus, and the City of St. Louis, Clayton is the seat of St. Louis County. While 81% of Clayton’s land is dedicated to residential or park use, the City’s Central Business District combines 7,000,000 square feet of office space with the vitality of 1,000,000 square feet of retail space. For more information see: https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/about-clayton.

The Sustainability Action Committee (SAC) advises the Mayor, Board of Aldermen and City Manager with respect to the development and support of ecologically sound and sustainable programs and practices within Clayton’s municipal government, the community and metropolitan St. Louis Region.

Hours & Schedule: Hybrid work, Flexible. But only PART-TIME (130 total hours) during the Summer of 2023. Specific hourly schedules are determined by each intern and their supervisor It is hoped that Interns will attend the SAC monthly meetings (third Tuesday of the month between 4:30 and 5:30pm) in person at Clayton City Hall.

Brief Description of Internship Deliverable: Interns will initially focus on assisting with the completing of the Strategic Planning process for the Sustainability Action Committee.  Once this work is complete, the Interns may assist the City of Clayton with other projects such as planning for fleet vehicle electrification, application for recognition as a SolSmart Community and Building Efficiency program (the “Projects”)

Internship Duties that Will Result in Deliverable: Sustainability Action Intern will sequentially work on the type of projects outlined below, as capacity and project progress allow:

1)  Regularly attend SAC meetings and participate in the engagement process leading to a finalized SAC strategic plan.  We anticipate that most of this work will be completed by May 2023 but any remaining work on the Plan will be addressed first. 
2)  Develop a phase 1 plan for the electrification of Clayton’s fleet
3) Compile documentation for Clayton’s application for the SolSmart program working with the U.S. Dept of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.
4)  Assist with the development of Clayton’s Building Energy Efficiency program
5) Assist with data collection, interpretation, and application in connection with each of the four program tasks as well as crafting presentation materials.  

Preferred Qualifications:

1)    Appropriate for environmental sciences, business or engineering undergraduate or graduate student
2)    Strong interpersonal skills
3)    Strong oral and written communication skills and organization/attention to detail
4)    Tech proficiency (Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and video chat software)
5)    Experience with data analysis using Excel or other software
6)    Ability to work professionally in virtual setting using zoom technology as a communication tool 

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Griffin Knipp (knipp@wustl.edu.)

IDLEBURG CONSULTANTS produces and provides resources, trainings, webinars, and research to build the capacity of leaders and organizations, and advance the impact of the field. Expertise includes law and policy frameworks necessary to create change, racial equity problem-solving, goal-setting, strategic planning and organizational development. Justin Idleburg (principal) strives to be a catalyst to bring together individuals, organizations, and communities to build strength and cohesion around racial equity, and sustainable and innovative infrastructure for affordable energy efficiency. 

      Achievement of lessening energy burdened, environmental, and climate justice objectives of the Climate Act will require all communities to be actively engaged in the clean energy transition, including residents and communities that have traditionally faced barriers to participating in or otherwise benefitting selected organizations in our economic development region in the state to assist communities and residents with accessing equitable energy programs and solutions and participate in the energy economy. 

      Idleburg Consultants has partnered with the Missouri Energy Efficiency for All (MO EEFA) coalition to conduct racial equity training and consulting. EEFA is a national coalition of energy and housing advocates working across 12 states to advance energy efficiency solutions for affordable multifamily housing. As part of its focus on energy justice in low-income housing, EEFA has made racial equity a top concern. Idleburg Consultants is seeking a Renewable Energy for Affordable Housing Intern to focus in on this work in St. Louis. 

      The Renewable Energy for Affordable Housing Intern will report directly to Justin Idleburg, and will work with other members of the MO EEFA coalition on reducing energy burdens for families using a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smart technology. This work will include: 

• Design the Energy Justice and Clean Energy for an audience of community/professionals, together with MOEEFA  members , and external experts;
• support the development and integration of a anew part of an ambitious and rigorous project the cases will support our integration energy programming for community solar/Justice 40 housing development policy via passive housing smart technology (IOT). 
• foster, community and online, broadening of an engaged community of informed actors who can accelerate the clean energy transition; and
• Develop a case study/ Gudie or market analysis to successfully complete electrification of what the Justice 40 says is needed for lessened energy burdens with community solar.
• Develop policy draft for Justice/40 Electrification Energy Districts & Affordable Housing RFP & RFI . For Urban & Rural Communities. 
• Familiarize yourself with DOE Community Solar & Justice 40 Initiative 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Excellent skills with the Microsoft Office suite of programs, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Demonstrated ability to research primary and secondary sources. 
• Skill in managing multiple activities, delivering on commitments, and operating with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment. 
• Strong professional work ethic. 
• Ability to think critically and problem solve. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and be a self-starter. 

 Additionally, applicants should have fluency in racial equity issues, dialogues around race and public policy, green energy, sustainable design, architecture and the concept of ‘energy burdens’ and consequences for health equity. They should be self-directed, have organizational skills, attention to detail, oral and written communication skills.  

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the “Environmental Racism in St. Louis” report prepared by the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University’s School of Law, and should strive to incorporate or leverage some of the report’s conclusions as part of the internship. 

Applicants can also review the report “Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide,” produced by Health Equity Works in the Brown School at Washington University. 

To Apply:  Please apply by sending a cover letter, resume to Griffin at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format, and include “Renewable Energy for Affordable Housing” in the subject line. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

A Red Circle launched its Food & Justice Fellowship in 2021 with young adults from St. Louis County and City.  The Fellows will work from A Red Circle’s urban farm, community garden, and online.  The Fellowship will cover three topics: Equity & Justice, Growing Food & STEM, and Business & Entrepreneurship.  The Fellows will also read and discuss three books, related to the current topic.  We are seeking peer mentors to work and learn alongside the Fellows.

North St. Louis County’s economy can be traced to racist laws and public policies. A Red Circle’s vision is to restore North County to a safe, vibrant, sustainable, and economically viable community that remains diverse, and in doing so, help heal racial strife. Located in The Promise Zone, A Red Circle’s programming is designed to address five focus areas: employment, education, holistic living, policy, and the arts.

This position will be performed in person – with some time spent at A Red Circle’s office in Wellston, Missouri, near the Wellston Metrolink Station, and some time spent in the garden or at the urban farm.  “Transportation can be arranged from A Red Circle.”

Internship Activities

• Perform supervisory tasks such as prepare curriculum, create documents, monitor attendance, administer an evaluation survey, and more
• Work on A Red Circle’s urban farm and community garden
• Share their insights into the topics from their educational experience
• Help coordinate other A Red Circle events and activities

Experience and requirements

• Passion for social and environmental justice
• Experience in peer mentorship
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines to effectively reach goals
• Self-motivated, flexible, and independent worker
• Experience living, working, or volunteering in North St Louis County preferred (not required)
• Means of personal transportation
• Personal phone and laptop preferred

Site Supervisors:  Erica Williams, MBA, erica.williams@aredcircle.org and Deborah Rice-Carter, deborah@aredcircle.org

Site location:  A Red Circle’s office, 6439 Plymouth Ave, and North County Agricultural Education Center

To Apply:  Please apply by sending a cover letter, resume to Griffin at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format, and include “A Red Circle” in the subject line. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) is a grassroots organization composed of St. Louis area congregations of all faiths. They put faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good. Since our organization’s founding in 1991, MCU’s efforts have utilized relational organizing tools to build grassroots community power by developing strong relationships grounded in trust and leadership building to fight for collective social justice. MCU is the Environmental Justice campaign started in 2020. This campaign aims to support clergy leaders, community groups, and impacted residents to build the power necessary to fuel a local environmental justice movement and fight for policy change that addresses the disproportional impacts of environmental racism on low-income communities of color. 

      MCU is partnering with 19 organizations to hold air quality monitors and do community meetings, working as a coalition to implement recently passed legislation in Missouri on Get Out the Lead, and continuing to push for illegal dumping reform. The 2019 Environmental Racism in St. Louis report detailed the lack of available outdoor air quality data in St. Louis City. High rates of asthma and many point sources of air pollution in North St. Louis City. In response, we have created and found funding for the Community Based Air Quality Monitoring Program to launch the campaign in a larger way in 2021.

      The Air Quality Monitoring Intern will report directly to Beth Gutzler, Lead Environmental Justice Organizer for MCU, and will work with other members of MCU as needed. This internship is expected to be mainly remote, with periodic socially-distanced, masked, in-person activities. Regular communications with your supervisor will occur by phone and video. 

Internship Activities:

• Assist MCU’s environmental justice team with outreach to develop strong relationships with local congregations, clergy leaders, and residents of color throughout St. Louis, MO utilizing basic relational organizing tools. Training for organizing leadership development will be provided. 
• Assist MCU’s environmental justice team with implementing a pilot air quality monitoring program, in partnership with researchers & staff from Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering and the Environmental Studies program at WashU. 
• Intern will assist with data collection, interpretation, and sharing results with community stakeholders and MCU EJ staff to plan next steps. 
• Assist with providing presentations and education workshops on air quality and other EJ topics for the Interfaith Environmental Justice Task Force, youth groups, and community leaders. 
• Work on environmental justice focused policy change 
• Maintain communication with MCU Environmental Justice Campaign Staff and attend MCU activities. 
• Regularly attend MCU EJ & Task Force meetings. 

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the “Environmental Racism in St. Louis” report prepared by the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University’s School of Law. 

Applicants can also review the report “Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide,” produced by Health Equity Works in the Brown School at Washington University. 

Qualifications:

• Experience navigating conversations about race and racism, the environment, science, and public policy 
• Working toward a major or minor in, or have taken significant coursework in, a combination of public health, engineering, data analysis, and/or environmental studies preferred 
• Excellent relationship building skills 
• Demonstrated love of the St. Louis community 
• Strong oral and written communication skills and organization/attention to detail 
• Tech proficiency (Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and video chat software)
• Ability to work professionally in virtual setting using zoom technology as primary communication tool 
• Experience with data analysis using Excel or other software. Include information on any relevant courses you’ve taken in which you have analyzed data.  

To Apply:  Please apply by sending a cover letter, and resume  to Griffin at knipp@wustl.edu in pdf format, and include “Environmental Justice Internship” in the subject line. In the cover letter, please highlight your interests and most relevant experience.

The Restorative Justice Movement Center is a community resource in The Ville neighborhood for formerly incarcerated individuals or those facing drug addiction to re-integrate into the community. The RJM Center hosts support group meetings, sober events, and community outreach events to reach this goal. They also have a community garden to host educational events and help provide fresh produce in a food desert.

The Outreach & Garden Intern will help develop an outline for seasonal maintenance of the the RJM Center’s community garden, along with tending the garden, planting, and harvesting. In addition to community garden work, Intern will research Restorative Justice methodology and practices, manage documents and databases for compiled data and research, and help organize two fundraising events. There is ample opportunity for interns to gain experience related to nonprofit administration, events coordination, and to get to know community members. Past interns have assisted the RJM Center with initiatives like hosting health clinics, hosting Narcan trainings, and becoming a food pantry outreach site with the St. Louis Food Bank.

Internship Duties: 

• the intern will research RJM methodology, outreach, and grant information
• track data using developmental programs outlined by grant requirements
• maintain a database for community resources
• keep up with community garden maintenance
• and assist with event planning for the center. 

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to environmental justice and anti-racism work
• Desire to work with people who are unhoused, recovering from addiction, formerly incarcerated, or otherwise marginalized.
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Strong sense of initiative and independent problem-solving
• Patience and a go-with-the-flow attitude
• Highly organized and detail oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Applications
• Experience working with people who are unhoused, recovering from addiction, formerly incarcerated, or otherwise marginalized.

Location: This internship will take place at the Restorative Justice Movement Center, located at 2707 N Taylor Ave in The Ville neighborhood of St. Louis. Please send a resume and cover letter to Amber Harris at amberisouth@yahoo.com and Griffin Knipp at knipp@wustl.edu with “Restorative Justice Movement Center Intern” in the heading.