Job Title: Maryland Research & Outreach Intern
Department: Conservation
Supervisor: Director of Conservation
Position type and expected hours of work: Part-time (20hr/wk), some evening and weekend hours, 1-year term
Location: Hybrid, Required to be on-site at events in Maryland
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary: $19.23 hourly wage

Nature Forward is looking for an intern, who is passionate about policy and community outreach to assist in supporting its data center reform work in Maryland. This year, Nature Forward launched the Maryland Data Center Reform Coalition to advance common-sense development guidelines for data centers across Maryland. The Maryland Research & Outreach Intern will have the opportunity to strengthen community capacity on this issue by researching policy and educating community members on the impacts of unconstrained data center development. This internship will provide invaluable nonprofit work experience in local and state policy as well as empowering community engagement.

The position is primarily remote with some travel around the state of Maryland to participate in community meetings on data centers. The internship is 20 hours per week for 1 year. The schedule is flexible.

Benefits include: mileage reimbursement, accrued sick leave, paid holidays, and workers’ compensation. Laptop provided.

Summary: The Maryland Research & Outreach Intern will work with the Maryland Conservation Advocate to support Nature Forward’s data center reform work through research, writing, and community engagement. The intern will assist the Maryland Conservation Advocate with research by researching energy and data center reform, local and state policies, and evaluating data from hyperscale data center applications in the state of Maryland. The intern will support writing action alerts and blog posts for local and state advocacy issues as well as creating talking point communications documents for data center reform. Finally, the Maryland Research & Outreach intern will support community engagement for data center reform by attending data center community meetings, highlighting community member stories, and assisting with logistics for community engagement events. Some travel around the state of Maryland will be required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Research state & local policies for responsible data center reform and compile a database of legislation that can be shared with partner organizations.
• Track, research, and compile proposed applications, air permits, and water permits for data centers in the state of Maryland.
• Write action alerts, blog posts, Op-Eds, and social media posts highlighting local and state data center issues in Maryland.
• Engage with communities in Maryland that are discussing data center development & highlight individual stories.
• Assist with planning for data center event logistics, such as coalition meetings, data center tours, and a General Assembly Lobby Day.

Qualifications/Requirements 

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong research skills & the ability to read and interpret dense government documents.
• Strong writing skills & the ability to communicate a complex issue in an easily understandable manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills & the ability to effectively communicate policy positions.
• Strong collaboration and community engagement skills and experience.
• A commitment to working respectfully across differences and bringing diverse communities together.
• Experience with social media platforms, Canva, Google drive, Microsoft Office, & Outlook.

Desired Qualifications

• Working knowledge of environmental issues including for example: climate change mitigation and adaptation, water quality including urban runoff/stormwater management, land use planning, and/or related issues (we will teach this skill set to the right candidate).
• Experience planning & coordinating events.
• Spanish language proficiency desired.

Physical Requirements 

• Must be able to travel to various local sites.
• Must be able to work at a computer.

Disclaimer: This description is not a comprehensive list of job activities

All employee policies are included in Nature Forward’s employee handbook.