EDF offers internships and fellowships for students and recent graduates in a variety of programs and departments throughout the organization. The ultimate goal of our internship and fellowship program is to provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Environmental Defense Fund’s Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) works to advance policies that make market forces work for – rather than against – the environment. Our work is guided by two closely linked missions: program support and thought leadership. We work closely with all of EDF’s programs to ensure our work is based on sound economics and policy design. Through research and analysis, we work to strengthen economics throughout EDF, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and interact with policymakers and other stakeholders to build support for economically sound environmental policies.

EDF’s Office of the Chief Economist is seeking a qualified and motivated student for its Summer 2020 Internship. The Economic Policy Intern will assist economists in EDF’s Office of the Chief Economist in developing and analyzing market-based solutions to a wide range of environmental problems through research, data analysis, and assistance with writing internal reports and public communications.

In Virginia, we are working on bold campaigns that would result in energy policies matching the scale of the climate crisis the state is facing. Never has our work been more important as we are facing stalls and rollbacks at the national level. For over a decade, we have been pushing the envelope of what’s “politically possible” in Virginia, using every tool inside and outside of the box – from organizing to lobbying to the law. We are standing in the way of two fracked gas pipelines, weakening one of the nations most powerful polluters (Dominion Energy), and we are pushing the most effective climate policies in the Commonwealth.

This class is the third level in a five-level Planning Series devoted to paraprofessional and professional support of municipal planning for a variety of operations and functions including strategic planning, comprehensive planning, land use, community development, departmental capital projects and operational planning. Incumbents provide advanced journey level professional planning work and are considered subject matter experts with the highest level of knowledge, providing consultation to other planning staff and to management. As assigned, incumbents may serve as lead workers, assigning work and monitoring work completion or may supervise paraprofessional and/or support staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures.

The Town of Lake Lure is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Development and Environmental Review Specialist. Candidate will perform professional, administrative and enforcement type work requiring extensive public contact reviewing applications for land development, codes, environmental regulations, and nuisance abatement.

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and be able to work independently with minimum supervision. Independent judgment and initiative must be exercised in determining if land development, environmental regulations and other requirements and provisions of the Code of Ordinances are met in performing various duties as assigned. Considerable tact and firmness are required in dealing with contractors, engineers, architects, property owners and the general public on zoning, nuisance, lake structures, flood plain, erosion control, tree protection, and other enforcement related matters.

Candidate must be proficient in detailed report writing and will serve as staff support to the Board of Adjustment/Lake Structures Appeals Board and other Town Boards. Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s Degree and valid NC Driver’s License. Two years of professional experience in administration and enforcement of local government ordinances and regulations with ARC/GIS Acumen and database management experience is desired. Consideration will be given to equivalent combination of experience and training.

Submit cover letter, resume, and an application to Human Resources, P.O. Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746 or by email to hrcoordinator@townoflakelure.com. Applications can be obtained at the Quick Links on the left side of this page, at Lake Lure Town Hall, 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

The Town of Dallas, NC is currently seeking applicants for the full-time position of Development Services Director. Dallas, a community of approximately 5,000 residents located 20 miles west of Charlotte, is known as the “Crossroads of Gaston County”. Its prime location conveniently situated near the intersection of I-85 and US-321 has sparked an increase in development interest in the past few years – a trend that is expected to continue. In response to this growth the Town recently began the creation of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, and will soon begin the development of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan to help guide the future of our community. This department-head-level professional serves as the one-person Office of Planning and Community Development, administering the Town’s zoning, development, and subdivision ordinances.

Position responsibilities include: implements the intake, review, processing and approval of zoning and sign permits, subdivision plats, re-zonings, variances, special use permits, annexations, and site plans; recommends and develops Ordinance amendments and development plans; coordinates efforts of consultants; assists with historic preservation efforts, as well as development and administration of economic development initiatives and incentive programs; acts as support for Planning Board and Board of Adjustment; and helps to maintain the Town’s website and Facebook page.

Other position responsibilities include grant writing; developing an effective relationship between the Town and business community; extensive public contact and involvement; coordination of code enforcement activities in conjunction with the Police Department; and other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate must exhibit the initiative to promote sound growth and development, and have the ability to balance the needs of a diverse community in the changing economic environment. Personal attributes should include: excellent oral and written communication skills; considerable tact and professionalism; and a positive and cooperative attitude.

Biodiversity loss. Climate change. Sustainable development. Challenges for which the world needs solutions. Fast.

International agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals represent the global community’s ambitions for rising to meet these challenges, but governments, companies, and international organizations need better information to guide their decisions.

To meet this need, Conservation International and partners are mapping the natural capital around the world that is most critical for providing the ecosystem services that support human well-being. By revealing hidden opportunities for conservation, restoration, and improved management, this project will enable public and private sector actors to meet their diverse objectives in ways that better support both humanity and the planet.

The successful applicant will support this effort by using their technical and subject matter expertise to advance the research and identify/support strategic engagement with key stakeholders.

This is a 12 week summer internship.

Most of the work for this position will be with Denver Water’s climate change adaption program within the Water Resource Planning section. The climate change adaptation program works to prepare Denver Water for the cascading impacts of a changing climate. The program is part of the Water Resource Planning section, which maintains a long-term vision for providing a reliable water supply to 1.4 million people.

The intern will assist in developing a monthly climate tracking report for internal and external stakeholders. The report will provide summary visualizations of long-term and short-term weather and climate data collected throughout Denver Water’s collection system and service area. This will assist the organization in better understanding the current state – as well as notable changes and impacts – of the climate throughout Denver Water’s systems. Ultimately, this information will help guide monthly water operations and long-term organizational planning.

To initiate this work, the intern will conduct a comprehensive search to gather and centralize all relevant data for the project (including data collected by Denver Water and any other non-profit, local, state, or federal institution).

The ideal candidate will have strong data analysis/visualization abilities, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills. Proficiency in Python or R is strongly encouraged.

The intern will have additional opportunities to contribute to other water resource planning projects and meetings, leading to a general knowledge of how Denver’s water operations fit together with regional water dynamics. One such opportunity will be to participate in field work efforts to maintain a stream temperature monitoring network. Additionally, the intern will be required to attend three intern events as part of Denver Water’s overall internship program. Toward the end of the summer, the intern will present their work to a broad Denver Water audience.

Performs responsible professional work in the management of staff and associated assignments within the Planning Department, primarily in the areas of long/short range planning, development ordinances, minimum housing and code enforcement.

An employee in this class has broad responsibilities in guiding, directing and working with staff, public bodies, public official, development community and citizens to ensure proper long/short range planning for the City, effect proactive and effective minimum housing and code enforcement related efforts, and administering development ordinances and policies. Oversee and guides special planning efforts such as small area studies, growth analysis, corridor overlays, comprehensive plan and land use analysis/changes, neighborhood improvement programs/efforts, development ordinance amendments, and associated policies, etc. Employee exercises decision making regarding the allocation of time and resources to project management, initiatives and programs. Position requires the ability to coordinate with and provide support to boards and commissions, attend meetings as necessary or directed. Work performance is evaluated through daily discussions, interactions and observations under the regular supervision of the Director of Planning & Transportation. This classification is considered non-exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Employees in this class perform professional planning work in current and long-range planning projects for the County. Employees in this class perform responsible journey level planning work to provide coordinated guidance and regulation of the growth and development of the County and in contracted municipalities.

THE TOWN PLANNER WILL:
➢ Conduct comprehensive field studies of land use and development patterns throughout Local
Government jurisdiction;
➢ Conduct comprehensive review of adopted policies applicable to land use and development
throughout Local Government jurisdiction;
➢ Conduct comprehensive review of Local Government programs and policies to serve existing and
future development within Local Government jurisdiction;
➢ Prepare plans and policy documents to achieve stated goals of Local Government through
information gathering techniques to be determined and agreed upon with Local Government;
➢ Preparation of governing and/or advisory board/council/commission reporting materials;
➢ Presentations of governing and/or advisory board/council/commission reporting materials;
➢ Conduct review of applications for land development permits and approvals in accordance with
applicable policies and ordinances; and
➢ Coordinate with Local Government staff for the proper filing of records within the official record
of Local Government.