Job Title: Briefings Production Intern
Reports to: Briefings Editor
Department: Field Management
Position: Ongoing internship, 20-30 hours per week, 3 month minimum commitment
Salary: Unpaid; however, we do have an attractive Intern Recognition Program. Interns receive certificates to be used towards a qualified Earthwatch expedition, an exciting opportunity to participate in important field research projects.
Posting date: April 2009

Earthwatch Institute is an international, non-profit organization that engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

An Earthwatch internship will allow you to gain valuable work experience, build your skill set, broaden your work experience, and profit from networking opportunities. This production internship will expose you to the different scientific disciplines our projects contain, to aspects of volunteer field management, and to aspects of volunteer and corporate fellowship communications. You will get an insider's view of how the day-to-day business of a non-profit organization differs from the corporate world and witness first-hand the work of an international organization that has offices in the UK, Australia, and Japan. 

Interns are treated as regular staff members: you will go through an orientation program, receive a written job description, be assigned a mentor, and will be invited to participate in all Earthwatch related activities from guest lectures to social events. Interns fill a vital role in our organizational structure and we will treat you accordingly. 

Responsibilities:

The Briefings Assistant Intern will work in Earthwatch Institute's Field Management Department in Maynard, Massachusetts. The Intern will assist the Briefings Editor with Expedition Briefings production, including creating first-draft versions by transferring project information to a briefing template and/or renewal form, preparing final briefings and their covers for the printer, and performing administrative duties such as filing briefings upon their return from the printer and placing print and paper orders as needed.

Expedition Briefings are 30 - 70 page documents produced for each Earthwatch-sponsored research project. These documents are used as field guides for the volunteers participating on Earthwatch projects, and include information about research goals, project sites, safety, accommodations, project staff, etc.

Depending on the number of hours available, the Intern will also provide administrative and editorial assistance for other field management tasks.

Tasks:

Editorial/Production assistance on briefings includes:

  • Copying and pasting information from either last year's briefing or a current proposal into the appropriate sections of the current briefing template and/or renewal form
  • Adjusting all formatting after Editor's final edit to be consistent with current Earthwatch Briefing styles and fonts
  • Compiling supplementary briefing information as needed
  • Creating PDF files from final Word versions of briefings and manipulating the PDF versions through minor edits to prepare them for printing
  • Communicating with the printing company
  • Notifying staff that briefings are available when they return from the printer
  • Filing briefings in the US office and mailing briefings to affiliate offices as needed
  • Cataloging prior briefings in the Earthwatch library

Other projects the Editorial Assistant may work on include:

  • Assisting with proofreading, basic writing, or other editorial tasks as needed
  • Setting up and maintaining a file database resource for scientists' signatures and headshots
  • Assisting with other administrative or field management duties as related to Briefings Production and distribution

Qualifications

  • Computer proficiency, including with the Internet and Microsoft Office
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word (preferably 2007 version) is absolutely essential
  • Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Solid editorial skills
  • Keen attention to detail
  • Basic layout experience preferable
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Ability to work independently

Only those applicants with a confirmed place to stay within commuting distance to Maynard, MA, will be considered. Applicants must currently be eligible to work in the United States. This position is based in our Maynard office, located in a historical mill complex 45 minutes west of Cambridge/ Boston, accessible by commuter rail, and not far from major routes such as 495 and Route 2. All interns are required to have individual health insurance. Placement will be subject to qualifications and availability.

Please send cover letter and resume to Marsha O'Doherty, Director of HR, hr@earthwatch.org with Field Management Internship in the subject heading; fax 978-897-0935; mail HR Earthwatch Institute, PO Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754-0075.