WWF Overview

For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

 

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

 

Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.

 

BRIDGE – Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence

WWF’s diversity-focused internship program, BRIDGE, aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

 

Position Summary

The Sustainable Infrastructure team is seeking a BRIDGE intern for 2024 to support our Sustainable Infrastructure Integrated Program. The intern will participate in research and analysis, writing reports and guidance documents, and developing communications materials with WWF teams across the organization working on sustainable infrastructure. The intern will be exposed to a wide range of issues at the nexus of conservation, infrastructure, and people.

The intern will implement a set of activities selected from the following options based on their skills, experience, and interests.

• Research infrastructure safeguards, policy and legal frameworks, gender and social equity, impacts on biodiversity, design standards, low impact alternatives, and risks associated with climate change.

• Assist in developing and managing infographics and other communications materials, educational videos, and guidance documents on infrastructure and climate resilience, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable engineering practices.
• Develop maps and visual data of infrastructure projects using new and existing datasets.
• Help identify good practices for knowledge sharing and knowledge management.

Minimum Requirements:

• Pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s program in urban or environmental planning, sustainability, public policy, engineering, international development, conservation, nature-based solutions, or related fields. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date (June 17, 2024).
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Interest in and educational exposure to infrastructure-related topics, conservation, natural resource management, environment, and climate change
• Attention to detail
• Organized and self-motivated
• Able to work both independently and in a team setting
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with infrastructure development in developing countries; countries in Asia preferred
• Familiarity with planning/engineering/conservation concepts
• Proficiency with GIS software and spatial databases
• Proficiency with Adobe Suite (Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

 

Learning Outcomes

In addition to gaining a deeper knowledge of the links between conservation, infrastructure, and people, the intern will have the opportunity to build on their strengths and interests to better align their personal and professional goals, including:

• Increased exposure to careers in conservation and sustainability
• Cultivating a professional network across WWF
• Integrating academic theory and practice
• Further development of communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, collaboration, organizational, and leadership skills critical for job success

 

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
• Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

 

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

 

Location:

US-DC-Washington OR US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming.

 

Compensation:

Paid – $17 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 17, 2024 to August 23, 2024

 

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers page, Requisition #BR-2417

 

In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.

 

If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.

 

*Please note that interns must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.

 

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.