Summer Intern for USDA International Programs
About USDA Forest International Programs:
The USDA Forest International Programs promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. By linking the skills of the field-based staff of the USDA Forest Service with partners overseas to address the most critical forestry issues and concerns. International Programs regularly taps into the agency's wide range of expertise. Wildlife biologists, forest economists, hydrologists, disaster and fire management specialists, and policy makers are among those who comprise the staff of over thirty thousand employees.
About El Valor:
El Valor’s mission is to support and challenge urban families to achieve excellence and participate fully in community life. Our programs exist to enrich and empower people with disabilities, the disenfranchised and the underserved. El Valor seeks to be an international model for inclusion of people with disabilities, to be the best in the nation in early childhood and youth enrichment and to become the premier organization developing Hispanic leadership.
Purpose:
To give one talented Latino undergraduate student the opportunity to learn about:
• International conservation and assistance to other countries
• Cultures and economies of different nations
• Public and private assistance programs and policies at the national and international scales
• Roles and operations of the US Congress, Forest Service, other Federal agencies and organizations for international cooperation and assistance
When & Where:
July, 2008—December, 2008
Washington, DC—office of Forest Service International Programs
Work Description:
Students will participate in International Programs meetings and activities, including Technical Cooperation, Policy, Disaster Assistance Support, and Outreach and Partnerships staffs. Most time will be spent in the Latin American and Caribbean program of Technical Cooperation. Students will review documents, write issue and program summaries, make recommendations, as well as attend meetings with partners, discuss international work with other Federal Agencies and partners, sit in on Congressional hearings and sessions, review individual programs of Forest Service staffs, including International Programs, National Forest Systems, State and Private Forestry, and Research. Other agencies include US Department of State, US Agency for International Development, US Fish and Wildlife Service. Partners include National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, and The Nature Conservancy. No work travel outside the Washington DC metro area is anticipated. Each student will be asked to write a summary of their experience for the summer and state what the experience means to them and how they might apply their experience to their future.
Compensation:
This is a paid internship, including hourly wage, transportation to Washington, DC, housing allowance, and DC commuting expenses. Upon acceptance into the program, El Valor and Forest Service International Programs will discuss specific compensation package.
Eligibility:
The ideal candidate will meet all of the following criteria, no exceptions:
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, with proven research skills
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) and bicultural
• Committed advocate for inner city populations. We are seeking a Latino student who will apply what is learned during this internship to improve his/her community
• Awareness about environmental issues, conservation and urban ecology
• Desire to work with international and local communities, specifically Latin American cultures
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing, with strong public speaking skills
• Ability to build strong rapport with various stakeholders
• Previous work or volunteer experience with environmental issues
How to apply:
This is a very competitive internship. Due to the high selectivity of this internship all materials are due no later than May 1st, 2008. For those candidates who meet the criteria, an in person interview will be scheduled. Please send a letter of intent: stating why you are interested in this position and why you are the ideal candidate, a copy of your most recent transcripts (unofficial copy is acceptable), 1-2 page resume (listing 2 references) to:
Anel Ruiz
El Valor
University Programs
1951 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Telephone: (312) 997- 2021
Fax: (312) 432- 9849