What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Science and Policy Intern - Seattle City Light position at City of Seattle?
Position Description
Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
This is a graduate-level internship opportunity on the Science Policy team within the Environment, Land, and Licensing Business Unit. This team is responsible for a variety of environmental policy review, development, and implementation for the utility. Key responsibilities of the department include: leading City Light’s responsibilities as the related to Federal Energy and Regulatory Compliance (FERC) licensing and environmental compliance for the Cedar and Tolt River projects, supporting FERC licensing and aquatic resource compliance on the Skagit River and Boundary Projects, leading the Greenhouse Gas neutrality, Climate Change Adaptation, and Endangered Species Act Land acquisition programs, and providing administrative support to the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission.
Learning Objectives:
Project(s) Scope:
Required Qualifications:
You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
The full salary range for this position is $26.71-$26.71 per hour.
Application Process
To complete your application, submit the online form with the following attachments:
Internship Duration and Hours: Year-long: The timeframe of this internship will be one year in duration, with either a May (semester schools) or June (quarter schools) 2025 start date. Working hours are up to 40 per week during the summer, and a max of 20 per week during the academic year.
Hybrid Work: The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite at work in Seattle in accordance with the current Mayoral mandate of a minimum of 3 days per week. Additional in-person work requirements are based on business need and determined by the hiring authority.
Interns must have a Washington State address and live in Washington State at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment.
Benefits: Interns do not receive benefits but can obtain a subsidized ORCA pass and accrue sick time that can be used after 90 days of employment.
Background Check: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.
Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
This is a graduate-level internship opportunity on the Science Policy team within the Environment, Land, and Licensing Business Unit. This team is responsible for a variety of environmental policy review, development, and implementation for the utility. Key responsibilities of the department include: leading City Light’s responsibilities as the related to Federal Energy and Regulatory Compliance (FERC) licensing and environmental compliance for the Cedar and Tolt River projects, supporting FERC licensing and aquatic resource compliance on the Skagit River and Boundary Projects, leading the Greenhouse Gas neutrality, Climate Change Adaptation, and Endangered Species Act Land acquisition programs, and providing administrative support to the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission.
Learning Objectives:
- Experience applying their specific field of study to implement real-world projects that benefit the utility and society.
- Exposure to how scientists apply their skills to collect and analyze data to address challenges and concerns of an electric utility; and
- Expanding the student’s professional network by working with scientists and project managers from various fields of study to assist in the student’s career path and/or graduate study focus.
Project(s) Scope:
- Aquatic research and compliance on the South Fork Tolt Project, including South Fork Tolt FERC Relicensing support.
- The implementation of the Climate Change Response work, including strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing climate.
- Other efforts that include a mix of field and internet data acquisition, data organization and analyses, research, and report writing.
Required Qualifications:
- Graduate students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or above throughout the internship.
- Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
- Enrolled in an accredited graduate program during their internship.
- Enrolled in an academic program with focus on environmental science, natural resources, environmental policy, biological, ecological, chemical, physical science policy or related field.
You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Intermediate or advanced experience with MS Excel and/or other databases.
- Familiarity with ArcGIS software gained via college course or equivalent experience.
- Ability to gather data, summarize, and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Familiarity with ‘R’ or Python coding, statistical analyses, and plotting through college course work or related applied experience.
- Knowledge or experience in reviewing scientific literature and summarizing scientific articles.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Experience, ability, and comfort working outside in inclement weather and on uneven terrain is desirable.
- Additional skills working near and around streams/rivers.
The full salary range for this position is $26.71-$26.71 per hour.
Application Process
To complete your application, submit the online form with the following attachments:
- Resume
- Cover letter explaining how your coursework, activities, and experience qualify you for this internship.
- Your unofficial transcript - including current coursework, next term registration (if available at the time of application), and cumulative GPA.
- If applicable - for students transitioning from an undergraduate to graduate program, submit admissions offer to the graduate program to confirm intention of fall enrollment.
Internship Duration and Hours: Year-long: The timeframe of this internship will be one year in duration, with either a May (semester schools) or June (quarter schools) 2025 start date. Working hours are up to 40 per week during the summer, and a max of 20 per week during the academic year.
Hybrid Work: The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite at work in Seattle in accordance with the current Mayoral mandate of a minimum of 3 days per week. Additional in-person work requirements are based on business need and determined by the hiring authority.
Interns must have a Washington State address and live in Washington State at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment.
Benefits: Interns do not receive benefits but can obtain a subsidized ORCA pass and accrue sick time that can be used after 90 days of employment.
Background Check: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.
Salary : $27
