Conservation Policy Graduate Student Intern
About The Position
Point Blue Conservation Science seeks a Conservation Policy Graduate Student Intern to support a state conservation policy engagement project and to gain training in policy-oriented social science coding skills. The graduate student intern will work with Point Blue staff to research, design and support the development of a policy-oriented white paper that reviews key issues from the California conservation and stewardship communities. The report will cover various biodiversity stewardship sectors including stewardship in agricultural, fire, freshwater, urban, and marine contexts. With guidance from their advisors, the intern will review roundtable notes and materials to help create the structure for the report, and help coordinate author contributions. In addition, the intern will work with Point Blue’s Conservation Social Scientist to analyze existing interview data on working land stewardship motivations. Emergent themes may feed into the policy white paper and other products. The intern may conduct additional literature reviews, reach out to roundtable participants to follow up on discussion points, and is invited to make their own contributions to the authorship of the report. Policy research and coordination will help advance our partnerships with state-level and global biodiversity coalitions and local government partners. This summer internship role offers hands-on experience with policy processes, qualitative data analysis, and coalition engagement, with additional opportunities to contribute to project areas across local, state, national, and international scales.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a graduate college program in a relevant field.
- Understanding of state-wide public policy issues related to conservation (or a willingness to learn this area) is preferred
- Accountability and ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to collaborate and work respectfully with people with a variety of perspectives
- Ability to seek, accept, and incorporate feedback is necessary
- Ability to conduct independent research and apply findings to practical projects
- Ability to manage and prioritize tasks to meet project deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Skills to use basic computer programs (Microsoft Office spreadsheets, word processing, presentation and email programs; skills operating Google Drive programs including Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides)
Responsibilities
- Support the development of a stewardship-related white paper with policy recommendations
- With the collaboration of advisors, create an outline for a report that will communicate stewardship priorities to the incoming California state administration and public agencies
- With the collaboration of advisors, conduct an emergent thematic coding process on existing qualitative data.
- Review best practices for the ethical handling and interpretation of human subjects data.
- Review meeting notes, presentation slides, and recordings to capture key messaging
- Follow up with external partners in the stewardship community as needed to clarify points and messaging
- Conduct literature reviews
- Draft and/or lead report sections as desired; with the ability to focus on areas of interest
- Opportunity to participate in additional policy projects and engagements as they arise, including the California Global Biodiversity Alliance and International Union for the Conservation of Nature events.
Benefits
- Up to 40 hours of paid sick time that accrues every bi‑weekly pay period
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
