Fresh Water Action Intern - Milwaukee Riverkeeper (SEJ Program)

Background:
Working for Milwaukee Riverkeeper...
 At Milwaukee Riverkeeper® we’re looking for more than just a person to fill a desk. We’re seeking team members that share our passion for healthy rivers and strong communities. If you want to become a part of our team, you will be empowered to work the way you work best. Your voice is important, you’ll help shape the role you’re in and the future of our organization. From the top down and the bottom up, we’re more than just a workplace, we work together, and play to win!
 

Position
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is a multifaceted organization connecting and engaging people from all walks of life in our work to achieve swimmable, fishable waterways. The key role of this position will be to help communicate Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s advocacy priorities and ensure they reflect community concerns and needs. The Fresh Water Action Intern must be able to communicate complex issues in a variety easy-to-understand ways. Project types include print and web-based media. Most projects will primarily involve drafting and formatting print materials and communications campaign assets.

Responsibilities:

 ● Assisting in the implementation of community engagement outreach around advocacy
priorities
● Draft communications to help educate and encourage community members to attend
public meetings and take action including– including fact sheets, presentations, public education materials, social media serie, etc.;
● Working with the Community Outreach Coordinator to include the voices, perspectives
and experiences of those directly impacted by the issues being addressed into the process;
● Assisting the Community Outreach Coordinator with organizing efforts related to legal
and policy initiatives;
● Representing Milwaukee Riverkeeper at community events;
● Aiding in the expansion of existing membership and volunteer base.
 

Qualifications:
● Knowledge of subject area, or willingness to learn about environmental, legal, and
technical issue areas;
● Experience with community organizing and leading teams;
● Interest or previous experience in designing outreach and educational materials;
● Knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) and
previous experience or understanding of video production, editing a plus;
● Ability to read, interpret, and apply federal and state laws and policies;
● Interest or previous experience working with diverse audiences;
● Strong attention to detail;
● Strong interpersonal skills;
● Excellent written and verbal skills;
● Knowledge of basic software including Microsoft Word and Excel;
● Ability to coordinate multiple, diverse projects, set realistic deadlines, and manage a
timeline;
● Ability to resolve routine problems independently;
● Ability to prioritize work according to the organization’s needs;
● Willingness to learn and grow with the organization;
● Commitment to the environment;
● Milwaukee Riverkeeper employees are expected to be flexible and to take on additional
duties as assigned, according to the organization’s needs and the staff member’s skill and
abilities.

Other:
This list of essential responsibilities and requirements is not intended to be exhaustive. The Milwaukee Riverkeeper team needs to be flexible and may be asked to take on additional duties based on the organization’s needs and the team member’s skills and abilities. Milwaukee Riverkeeper reserves the right to revise this job description, as needed.
 

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Our rivers flow through, and unite, a diverse myriad of communities. Milwaukee Riverkeeper is committed to working towards equity and inclusion in all we do to protect, restore, connect with, and advocate for our waterways. Diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthen our organization's ability to advance environmental justice and we believe that all people should see themselves reflected in our work. Milwaukee Riverkeeper is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics,
disability, marital status, age or veteran status and hires in accordance with state and federal law. For more information about Milwaukee Riverkeeper, visit www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org, or for Plastic-Free MKE, visit www.plasticfreemke.org.

Compensation:
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 2025 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.  Students may apply for as many positions as they are qualified for and interested in. Each student in the SEJ program will receive a $5k stipend to help cover housing and transportation costs and living expenses. For additional details and to see other SEJ opportunities, please see the SEJ Cohort webpage.

• Before applying, you must meet with a Career Center staff member for a resume review, or your resume must achieve green status in VMOCK.  If your resume does not meet professional expectations, you may be asked to resubmit your resume.  Please make an appointment with the Career Center here on Handshake.
• Once your resume is approved, you will then apply directly to one or more of the designated SEJ Internship options in Handshake by February 14, 2025 at 11:55 p.m. A separate application should be prepared for each position.
• Complete this form to indicate your transportation needs. The form only needs to be submitted once.

Please ask Michelle Buchinger for more details about how funding works Michelle.m.buchinger@lawrence.edu 

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.