Climate Safe Neighborhoods Organizing Intern - Groundwork Milwaukee (SEJ)

Groundwork Milwaukee is seeking an organizing intern to support environmental justice efforts through the Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) initiative. The intern will work collaboratively with a small staff team, organizational partners, and residents to mobilize a local coalition through technical assistance activities, communications, outreach, event and activity prep, and media relations work. The role may also include assisting with grant, report, and short-form content writing, presentation development and public speaking. As time permits, the intern will be able to seek other project support work within the organization related to greenspace action and education, per their interests.

The following qualities and skills are relevant to the position:

- Creative

- Thoughtful

- Ease in meeting and collaborating with new people

- Strengthened equity lens

- Existing interest and personal work against white supremacy culture and conditioning

- Strong organizational skills

- Interest in data and GIS maps, and how data and lived experience intersect

- Data communication skills - translating data to various audiences

- Listening and entering spaces with humility and kindness

- Adaptability to be working from office (or remotely) as well as out in the community

- Graphic design experience a plus but not required

- Ability to work some evenings and weekends

The Climate Safe Neighborhoods partnership consists of 13 Groundwork Trusts nationwide exploring the relationship between historical race-based housing segregation and the current and predicted impacts of climate change. We work closely with residents and stakeholders to organize, mobilize, and effect systems change to make communities more resilient to extreme heat and flooding. The initiative is in development in Milwaukee at this time, wherein we are examining extensive GIS mapping data to better understand the disparities by neighborhood, partnering with interested groups and individuals, and building relationships in neighborhoods of focus. By summer 2022 we will be conducting more external activities, supporting grassroots strategy, and carrying out activities to raise awareness and set calls to action.

This internship is part of the Lawrence University Social & Environmental Justice Cohort, which provides an opportunity for Lawrentians to explore social and environmental justice impact careers, gain professional experience, and develop as leaders. Students complete a full-time summer 2022 internship with an identified social and/or environmental justice impact organization in Milwaukee or Appleton, while participating in ongoing reflection with fellow students, Professor Jason Brozek, the Career Center, community leaders and alumni.  For more details and to apply, please click here.