Summer Communications Intern (Part-Time)

Mission, Vision, and Approach

Founded in 2018, the Clean Energy Transition Institute (CETI) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit organization working to accelerate an equitable clean energy transition in the Northwest by advancing technical and economic decarbonization strategies. Our mission is to decarbonize the Northwest economy equitably at the speed and scale that climate science requires.

CETI provides independent, unbiased research and analytics on low-carbon pathways tailored to the Northwest region’s unique characteristics; offers an information clearinghouse for decarbonization solutions and technologies; and convenes stakeholders to debate the trade-offs inherent in shifting to a clean energy economy.

Why Join CETI?

The CETI community is comprised of committed, compassionate, and collaborative people with decades of experience working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past six years, CETI has become a trusted source for independent analysis of how to transform the Northwest to a clean energy economy.

Projects and Programs

In 2019, we developed the research and modeling that showed how the region could decarbonize affordably by 2050 and provided the technical analysis that underpins the Washington 2021 State Energy Strategy.  

We also provided analysis substantiating the Montana Governor’s 2020 Climate Solutions Council’s decarbonization strategies and modeling that helped win passage in Oregon of the nation’s most ambitious clean energy standard in June 2021. We are currently working on a contract with the Oregon Department of Energy to provide the technical assistance for its state energy strategy.

In 2023 and 2024, we released Net-Zero Northwest, our energy pathways, health impacts, and workforce analysis to inform regional action that could put the four Northwest states on the path to equitably achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In addition to our deep decarbonization pathways analyses, CETI programs investigate building, industrial, and rural decarbonization, as well as energy system mapping with the Northwest Clean Energy Atlas. Current projects can be reviewed on our website.

About this Position

CETI’s work involves researching, writing, analyzing, synthesizing, and communicating in issue briefs, blogs, social media, reports, emails, in-person convenings and virtual webinars, and film. The part-time Communications Intern will assist the Communications Manager in executing CETI’s 2024 communications and engagement strategy.

This summer, the Communications Intern will have the opportunity to contribute to all aspects of CETI’s communications and engagement work, from internal systems management, administration, and key performance indicator (KPI) assessment, to discrete, externally-focused communications projects.

Potential areas of work for the Communications Intern include, but are not limited to:

• ‍Administration and Management: Assist with tracking KPIs, updating our websites, managing our lists and email campaign software, and other back-end administrative tasks to help the Communications Manager plan, execute, and assess CETI’s communications and engagement strategy
• ‍‘Demystifying Decarbonization’ and Managing CETI’s Social Media: Assist in managing and producing content for our social media platforms, with a focus on producing educational content that breaks down different aspects of decarbonization and the clean energy transition in engaging and accessible ways
• ‍Clean Energy Storytelling and Story Mapping: This is a new CETI project that builds on our Community Defined Decarbonization Report and Claiming Power video series. The goal of this work is to tell the stories of the individuals and communities who are impacting and being impacted by the clean energy transition– putting names, faces, and stories to how the transition is unfolding in the Northwest
• ‍Fall Convenings: Help research, plan, and execute convenings on specific decarbonization topics, which could include, but are not limited to: sustainable aviation fuels, markets and transmission, and the Northwest states’ 2025 legislative sessions

An exact work plan and focus areas for the summer Communications Intern will be developed in collaboration with the selected candidate based on the candidate’s interests and CETI’s needs.

CETI values the opportunity to assist future leaders with their professional development and is committed to providing a high-quality experience for our interns. We strive to engage interns in substantive projects and experiences that will not only advance CETI’s mission but also foster growth for our interns’ professional development. 

Desired Skills and Qualifications

We seek the following skills and qualifications. Candidates who meet some but not all these qualifications are still encouraged to apply:

• Analytical, clear thinker who can translate complex problems in a clear and objective manner
• Excellent analysis, writing, and verbal communications skills and strong attention to detail
• Experience with graphic design, creating infographics, and managing social media accounts
• Highly energetic, organized, focused, reliable, hard-working, curious, self-starting individuals with a can-do attitude and a sense of humor
• A strong sense of curiosity, a commitment to collaboration, willingness to learn, and humility
• A healthy skepticism, an attention to detail, and a commitment to accuracy
• A belief in and commitment to CETI’s mission and vision
• A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, or a related field, or at least three years of experience in communications.

Location

We work three days in an office in downtown Seattle (M, T, and Th) and two days (W, F) from our homes. Hours and days of work for the summer Communications Intern will be determined with the selected candidate.

Equal Opportunity

We actively seek applicants of diverse race, religion, creed, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, political ideology, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, and medical conditions.

Internship Compensation and Length

The position is part-time (20-30 hrs/week) beginning July 1 and lasting through August or mid-September, depending upon the successful applicant’s availability. The pay range for this position is $25 to $35 an hour, commensurate with experience.

How To Apply

Applications are due June 14, 2024. Please email your resumé, cover letter, and a writing sample (no more than five pages) assembled in a single PDF labeled with your name to jobs@cleanenergytransition.org. 

Your electronic cover letter should be addressed to Jamie Ptacek, Communications Manager, Clean Energy Transition Institute. Please make the subject line of your email: “[your full name], Communications Intern.”