Internships at the Colorado Environmental Coalition

Position: CapWatch Intern

Location: Denver, CO

Terms of Position: January- May, Unpaid, school credit available
Work Schedule: 6-8 hours/week, mostly during afternoons and evenings

Colorado Environmental Coalition is a statewide nonprofit organization that has been working to protect Colorado’s natural heritage since 1965. The Coalition works to protect Colorado’s environment by educating and mobilizing citizens, providing technical and organizing assistance to environmental organizations and other allies, and uniting and supporting them in coalitions that defend and preserve Colorado’s natural heritage and quality of life.

Overview of Internship:
Intern will be involved in CEC’s CapWatch program, which fosters constituent input in certain legislative districts on environmental bills in the State Legislature. Intern will learn about the current state of environmental legislation in Colorado as well as track the progress of environmental bills. This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the Voter Action Network (VAN), and understand the processes and politics involved in state legislation.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Use our database and the VAN to identify constituents of target legislative districts who would likely contact their elected officials regarding environmental issues.
• Utilize the VAN to identify potential activists in target legislative districts who are not currently involved in our organization and reach out to them to encourage differing levels of involvement.
• Support our Lobbyist and various campaigners with their efforts at the Capitol.
• Help recruit and engage volunteers as they call constituents.
• Participate in weekly legislative planning meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position has a strong interest in protecting Colorado’s environment and quality of life by promoting environmentally friendly policy, is outgoing and enthusiastic about working with people, and has a true desire to learn more about how policy is made in Colorado. Students with major in Political Science are encouraged to apply. Other qualifications include:

• Attention to detail;
• Superior communication skills, both on the phone and in person;
• Strong writing skills;
• Knowledge of the basics of the state political system;
• Working knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint are a plus.

Special Job Requirements and Physical Demands
Flexible work hours, mostly in the afternoon and evening. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this assignment. Intern regularly walks, bends, stoops, climbs stairs, and lifts up to 35 pounds. Offices and buildings are totally smoke-free.

Position:  Silent Auction Intern
Location: Denver, plus some travel along the Front Range
Deadline for submission: Open until filled

Overview of Internship:
Intern will be primarily involved with support of CEC’s annual Rebel with a Cause Gala through organization of the silent auction and other event-related projects. Tasks will consist of following up to solicited business and individual donors by email and phone, coordination of item delivery or pick-up, management of incoming donations, and crafting of item descriptions. Opportunities for volunteer management will be available in the final weeks before the event.

Overview of Rebel with a Cause Gala:
With over 500 attendees, CEC’s Rebel with a Cause Gala is one of the largest annual events for the conservation community in Colorado. Past honorees have included author and activist Bill McKibben; award-winning author and naturalist, Terry Tempest Williams; renowned photographer John Fielder; Rocky Mountain Institute co-founder Amory Lovins and former U.S. Senator Tim Wirth. Also recognized are CEC’s donors, members, corporate partners, citizens, political advocates and friends for their ongoing involvement and generous support. This event attracts high-profile lawmakers, renewable energy industry leaders and community supporters from across the state.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Solicitation for items to businesses and individuals
• Coordination of auction item pick-ups and/or delivery
• Cataloging of incoming items’ values, descriptions, and other details
• Crafting of item descriptions for bid sheets and online descriptions
• Management of volunteers in weeks prior to event and day-of
• Post-event donor management
• Assistance with data entry, event webpage updates, and other event-related projects as needed

Term of Position:
January 30th – May 31st, starting and ending dates somewhat flexible. Must be available all day Thursday, May 24th (date of the event).

Work Schedule:
20 hours/week, flexible schedule.

Compensation and Benefits: Direct experience working within the conservation community and fundraising professionals. Intern will have the opportunity to manage events and other projects and see them through to completion. No cash stipend or benefits are available.

Minimum Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position has a strong interest in protecting Colorado’s environment and quality of life, is outgoing and enthusiastic about working with people, and has a true desire to learn more about development/fundraising and event planning. Students with majors in the areas of event and hospitality management as well as development/fundraising/communications are encouraged to apply. Specific background requirements include:
● Demonstrable skills in persuasive writing
● Attention to detail and highly organized
● Superior communication skills, both on the phone and in person
● Ability to multi-task and manage short- and long-term deadlines
● Familiarity with auctions and/or event planning is a plus
● Working knowledge of Google Apps, Microsoft Office and design programs and are a plus

Special Job Requirements and Physical Demands:
Some travel around Denver and possibly Boulder to pick up auction items; flexible work hours; some evening and weekend hours may occur. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this assignment. Intern regularly walks, bends, stoops, climbs stairs, and lifts up to 35 pounds. Offices and buildings are totally smoke-free.