About Us: The Washington State University Energy Program is a leader in environmental sustainability initiatives. In this role you will be working for the Tribal Green Transportation Project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by assisting tribal communities and fleets with transitioning to electric vehicles and install EV charging stations. The project supports tribes in WA, OR, ID, and MT.
Position Overview:
Note: Limited travel to office (~1x/month).
We are seeking a motivated and passionate student who is familiar with Pacific Northwest American Indian Tribes, cultures, and protocols, including working with members and leaders of those tribes. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in communications and community engagement while contributing to an environmental project with real-world impact.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Communication: Assist in developing and implementing communication strategies to raise awareness about the Tribal Transportation Decarbonization project among tribal communities, stakeholders, and the general public. This may include creating content for social media platforms, the company website, and maintaining project-related communication channels.
2. Marketing: Support the marketing efforts of the project by creating promotional materials, such as brochures, posters, and digital content, to highlight the benefits and objectives of decarbonizing transportation in tribal areas.
3. Event Planning: Collaborate with team members to organize and execute virtual and in-person events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences, aimed at educating and engaging tribal leaders, community members, and other stakeholders in the decarbonization efforts.
4. Education: Assist in developing educational resources and materials to support outreach initiatives focused on sustainable transportation practices within tribal communities. Promote awareness of the Tribal Transportation Decarbonization project through face-to-face education of the general public and tribal communities.
Qualifications/Skills:
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest American Indian Tribes, cultures, and protocols, including members and leaders of those tribes.
• Demonstrates understanding of Native American history, cultural practices and other factors that may impact outreach and communication with tribal communities.
• Experience working with Native American tribal government(s) in the Pacific Northwest that demonstrates collaborative communication and relationship building.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with graphic design and social media platforms are preferred.
• Demonstrates interest in environmental sustainability, climate justice, and tribal issues.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Duration and Compensation:
This internship position is a 3-month full-time commitment, with the possibility of extension as a part-time internship, based on performance and project needs. Compensation will be provided in the form of an hourly wage.
NOTE: The start date of a 3-month internship is flexible and can begin at the start of your summer quarter/semester.