AEC Fall 2017 Internship Opportunity

Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center Intern
Position Announcement
Academic Year 2017-2018

Job Title: Agriculture and Environment Center Intern
Location: ENRI Offices, 111 Ferguson Building, University Park
Job Type: Paid Internship
Full or Part Time: Part Time (10 hrs/wk)

Job Description and Requirements:
Created in 2008, the Agriculture and Environment Center (AEC) is a joint initiative of the College of Agricultural Sciences, its Environment and Natural Resources Institute (ENRI), and Penn State Extension. Its mission is to catalyze integrated research and engagement to achieve innovative solutions that improve the balance of agriculture with the environment. The AEC builds partnerships and integrates the University's education, research, community outreach and extension assets to achieve results at multiple scales, from the farm to the Chesapeake Bay. Specifically, the AEC: (1) develops and cultivates relationships with external conservation partners; (2) builds and sustains cross-college relationships and collaboratives; (3) facilitates collaborative, watershed-based community engagement through its Lower Susquehanna and Conewago Creek Initiatives; (4) facilitates innovative, engaged research to solve water quality problems; and (5) integrates student education opportunities into its work.

The AEC has two offices located at the University Park Campus and the Harrisburg Campus.

The AEC is in need of a part time intern at its University Park based office to assist the AEC Director and other staff in the delivery of a multitude of its projects and programs. Work would involve planning and assisting in the delivery of outreach materials, events and approaches that communicate the work of the AEC and research and information on best management practices and help to integrate the College's research, extension and education missions on agriculture and the environment; helping to build partnerships with entities involved in conservation work across the public/private and local/state/federal spectrums; helping staff deliver conservation trainings to conservation professionals who help landowners implement conservation practices on private lands; providing assistance on implementing the public outreach and education components of the Penn State Center for Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management and the Penn State Center for Nutrient Solutions; providing assistance in facilitating the PA in the Balance partnership to explore and implement innovative new policies and programs to advance Pennsylvania agriculture's dual goals of achieving viable, productive agriculture and meeting water quality goals locally and for the Chesapeake Bay; assisting staff in meeting deliverables of the Conewago Creek Initiative, Chiques Creek Reenvisioned, Lost Creek Partnership, and other watershed collaboratives in the Susquehanna River Basin and beyond. The intern will gain exposure to different partners from private, public agency, and nonprofit sectors. Other duties (as assigned) to assist the Director of the AEC and AEC/ENRI staff.

Qualified Candidate: Should have relevant major and interest in environmental and/or agricultural sciences (particularly in water or watersheds), community engagement and outreach, and/or public environmental policy; be upper-class (Jr. or Sr. level, but all are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on experience/background); and have excellent writing and communication skills. Technical experience and proficiency in GIS and Excel highly preferred.
This is a paid internship but in lieu of a wage payroll position we will entertain internships for course credit if approved by the candidate's academic program.

Application Deadline: September 1, 2017

Application Instructions:
To apply, please submit a resume (with 3 references), a letter of interest, and a writing sample (10 page maximum) to Anna Marie Nachman, amn6@psu.edu, by September 1, 2017.

Company Name: Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center
Company Websites: agsci.psu.edu/aec; agsci.psu.edu/enri; conewagoinitiative.net
Contact Name: Matt Royer
Contact Title: Director, Agriculture and Environment Center
Contact Email: mroyer@psu.edu
Phone Number: (814) 863-8756