Program on Global Environment Communications Internship

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 projects; invited speakers, other projects including the Environment, Agriculture and Food (EAF) working group, Frizzell Memorial Speaker Series, Calumet Quarter and partnerships with the Chicago Studies Quarter and Chicago Studies Certificate Program. 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 Environmental and Urban Studies program is seeking a communications intern for the 2017-18 academic year. The intern will work directly with the Program Director and Program Coordinator to develop and maintain website content and social media related to program updates, recruitment for projects, courses and internships, and regular program announcements. The intern will also create original articles and blog posts through storytelling about student projects, faculty research, and initiatives and events related to the various program endeavors, including the Frizzell Series, EAF Working Group, and Chicago Studies and Calumet Quarters.  

 

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 Coordinator

·         Support any program initiatives or events by coordinating communications strategies with revelant partners

 

Website Management and Content Development

·         Manage, maintain and update the program website using the College template

·         Manage, maintain and update the associated websites (EAF, Frizzell Series) on voices.uchicago.edu

·         Create content for all websites, including photos, blogs, articles and event descriptions

·         Coordinate website updates with partners and affiliated departments

 

Social Media

·         Work with the Program Director and Program Coordinator to develop social media content

·         Manage the UChicagoPGE Facebook and Twitter accounts

·         Manage the UChicagoEAF Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts

·         Coordinate website updates with partners and affiliated departments

 

Publicize and Document Events and Initiatives

·         Develop descriptions of program any events, initiatives and field trips

·         Create material to publicize events and initiatives, and disseminate for wide distribution to students and the University community

·         Document events through photography, storytelling, blog posts and recaps

·         Coordinate events communications with Chicago Studies, Office of Civic Engagement, the College, and other partners

 

Qualifications & Skills

·         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 is highly desirable

·         Ability to take initiative 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 (Word and Excel required), UChicago Box, Dropbox, and Google Docs

·         Proficiency with social media and communications applications (MailChimp, Facebook, Twitter) strongly preferred

·         Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) preferred

·         Working knowledge of website management, including HTML and Wordpress

·         Students connected with UCI-JAM are encouraged to apply.

 

 

Employment Dates, Work Schedule, and Reporting

·         Dates of employment: AY 2017-2018 (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 Coordinator; 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).