Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation’s leading advocate for creating a nationwide network of trails and is the only national organization devoted to converting unused railroad corridors into multi-use trails. RTC is dedicated to connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. Founded in 1986, RTC has helped create more than 1,700 trails totaling more 21,000 miles from coast to coast. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, headquartered in Washington D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. RTC is a 501 3(c) nonprofit providing technical assistance and public education on a national level.

Summary: RTC is looking for highly motivated interns interested in working on a variety environmental and public policy issues. Interns will have the opportunity to work with the development, communications and the administrative departments during their internship. Job assignments will consist of professional and administrative support to the departments. Interns will participate as full-time staff members including attending staff and department meetings, retreats, and social gatherings. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments. Generally, interns would work 15-20 hours, two to four days per week.

Internship Duties: The Program Department’s Trail Development/Policy Team has one to two full or part-time internship positions available for the Fall/Spring/Summer semesters. Interns will be assisting staff members as follows:

• Trail Development, Manager, Trail Development and the Director of Trail Development with the creation and maintenance of technical assistance related documents, reports, and web content.

• Trail Development, Manager, Trail Development and the Director of Trail Development with the maintenance of RTC’s trail database. Specific duties may include updating the database with rail-trail news and reviewing/updating trail and rail corridor information within the database.

• Assist the Manager, Trail Development with national trail-building projects. Specific duties may include GIS mapping of trail projects and project related research.

• And assist with trail related administrative duties as required. (Trails projects may check with each semester).

The ideal candidate should be currently enrolled at a college or university, looking for course credit, and able to commit to a semester’s worth of work (2 to 3 months).

Qualifications: Qualified interns should be in an undergraduate or graduate programs seeking on-the-job experience, or professionals looking to hone their skill set. In all internships, excellent writing and communication skills are necessary. RTC operates off a Microsoft Office platform, and experience in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook is expected. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in environmental issues or related studies including trail development.

Benefits: Internships are unpaid; however interns using public transportation to and from the national office are eligible for travel reimbursement costs. The office is accessible by the metro’s red, orange, and blue lines and nearly equal distance between the Foggy Bottom and DuPont Circle metro stations. Interns can expect to work in a causal and sociable work environment, while maintaining a professional office atmosphere. Interns will also have the opportunity to network with other interns and staff members working in different departments. Interns can expect to gain valuable skills in the development and fundraising process while interning at RTC.

To Apply: (Please use one form of transmitting your resume).

Send cover letter and resume to: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Duke Ellington Building, Attn: Elton Clark, 2121 Ward Court, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20037, E-mail: elton@railstotrails.org.

RTC is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified candidates regardless of race, color, gender, disability, or national origin. Women and diverse applicants are encouraged to apply.