About Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC): Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation's leading advocate for trails and a national champion for active transportation. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a significant voice in federal legislation related to creating bikeable and walkable communities. RTC is headquartered in Washington DC with regional offices in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. About the Internship Program: RTC is looking for interns interested in working on environmental and public policy issues. Interns will participate as full members of the team and are included in staff meetings and social gatherings. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments. Hours are weekdays 9 to 5.
Position Description: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's policy team has an opening for a 2-4 month internship working with the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC).
NTEC is funded in equal parts by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Federal Highway Administration and exists to increase knowledge of the Transportation Enhancements program. Communities across America use Transportation Enhancements (TE) funds from the federal government to expand travel choice, strengthen the local economy, improve the quality of life, and protect the environment. NTEC provides transparency to a complex program, promotes best practices, and offers technical assistance to citizens, professionals, and policy makers. Learn more about NTEC at www.enhancements.org.
The NTEC intern will assist the team with one or more of the following:
- Collect data on transportation spending from State Departments of Transportation.
- Work on a new Open Government project related to transportation funding.
- Prepare new analyses in preparation for our annual spending report.
- Research and write up material for our new series of best practices briefs.
- Respond to requests from professionals, policy makers, agencies, the media, and the public.
Qualifications: Senior undergrad or master student working towards their degree in Planning, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in the topics of health, environment, sustainable transportation, pedestrians, bicycles, or trails. Some graduate coursework desirable.
Benefits: Internship are unpaid, though interns enjoy the benefits of working in downtown Washington, DC, in the casual but professional RTC National Office. Our Dupont Circle office is easily accessible by Metro's red, orange and blue lines. Nearby cultural attractions include the Smithsonian museums, Embassy Row, historical monuments, and the trendy Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and Adams Morgan neighborhoods.
