Communications Intern 18-19
The Program on the Global Environment (PGE) is an interdisciplinary scholarly program that includes the Environmental and Urban Studies BA major and minor, faculty-led research, invited speakers and partnered events, student-based projects including the Environment, Agriculture and Food (EAF) working group and Frizzell Memorial Speaker Series, and the Chicago Studies Quarter. The Program and its Environmental and Urban Studies major/minor is housed in the Social Sciences Collegiate Division and emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues incorporating models and methods from the humanities, social and natural sciences. Students, staff and faculty in the Program participate in environmental coursework, research, internships and campus-wide collaborative sustainability projects.
Position Summary
The Program on Global Environment is seeking a communications and project intern for the 2018-19 academic year. The intern will work directly with the Program Director and Program Administrator to develop and maintain website content and social media related to all aspects of the program. The intern will also create original newsletters, articles, and blog posts through storytelling about student projects, faculty research, and initiatives and events related to the various program endeavors. The intern will assist with all program events through development, research, promotion, staffing and recaps.
Essential Functions
Communications
- Serve as a point of contact for program communications for University and external partners, news organizations, and other sources of inquiry
- Draft all program communications in coordination with the Program Director and Program Administrator
- Support any program initiatives or events by coordinating communications strategies with relevant partners
Website Management and Content Development
- Manage, maintain and update the program website using the College template
- Create content for all websites, including photos, blogs, newsletters, articles and event descriptions
- Coordinate website updates with partners and affiliated departments
Social Media
- Work with the Program Director and Program Administrator to develop social media content
- Manage the UChicagoPGE Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts
- Manage the UChicagoEAF Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts
- Coordinate website updates with partners and affiliated departments
Events and Initiatives
- Develop descriptions of any program events, initiatives and field trips
- Create material to publicize events and initiatives, and disseminate for wide distribution to students and the University community
- Attend events and document through photography, storytelling, blog posts and recaps
- Coordinate events communications with program partners and the College
Qualifications, Skills and Expectations
- Interests in and awareness of environmental and/or urban studies
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and in close collaboration with others, including faculty
- Ability to multi-task while paying close attention to detail
- Ability to take initiative, generate new ideas and independently manage short-term and long-term projects to meet specific deadlines
- Ability to problem-solve and respond in a timely matter
- Proficiency with computer applications: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud applications (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), shared cloud-based programs and other design-based programs
- Proficiency with social media and communications applications (MailChimp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Proficiency with website development and management, including HTML and Wordpress
- Attend weekly meetings with Program staff, faculty and students and provide updates of work
- Students connected with UCI-JAM are encouraged to apply.
Employment Dates, Work Schedule, and Reporting
- Dates of employment: AY 2018-2019 (Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters)
- Hours: 5-10/week
- Work schedule: M-F, flexed to include evening and weekend hours as needed to provide event support
- Reporting: weekly supervision with PGE Program Administrator; liaise with Program Director and student coordinators for the Frizzell Series and EAF groups; participation in other team meetings, events, field trips and other opportunities, as needed.
Interested students should submit a cover letter expressing interest in environmental and urban studies, describing relevant experience in communications, website management and social media, a resume and a short writing sample (no more than one page).