PLAN: The Post-landfill Action Network - Create Your Own Internship: Environmental Justice & Zero Waste

Co-op / Organization: 
PLAN: The Post-landfill Action Network
Location: 
Philadelphia, PA
Type of Organization: 
Environmental
Brief Description of Organization: 

The Post-Landfill Action Network's mission is to educate, cultivate, and inspire the student-led Zero Waste movement. We inform students about the waste crisis and equip them with the necessary skills and resources to implement zero waste solutions in their campus communities. PLAN empowers our generation to be changemakers.

 

Website: 
http://www.postlandfill.org
Number of Members: 
200
Number of Staff: 
8
Dress Code: 
Casual
Internship Position Title: 
Create Your Own Internship: Environmental Justice & Zero Waste
Internship Position Duties: 

PLAN's internal internship deadlines are sooner than other NASCO internship network postings (priority deadline of March 19, final deadline of April 1).

PLAN is seeking a student that is inspired to build or develop a project that is focused on the intersectional framework of environmental justice movement and broader social justice work. This internship is an opportunity to come to us with your wildest dreams to further racial, gender, and other forms of social justice within the zero waste movement. This internship is what we are calling “Create Your Own” — In true DIY spirit we want you to be able to dream big and come up with something unique and creative! 

Candidates will be asked to perform the following tasks:
- Propose a rad idea for an internship project with a focus on Environmental Justice and Zero Waste
- Create the framework for an accessible, intersectional project that fuels your passions
- Engage and build the work we do as PLAN to build a broader movement
- Incorporate systems-based thinking into your proposal

Position Training: 

PLAN has a robust annual internship program, which we call "PLANternships." We orient our team of interns to PLAN's work and provide them with a series of seminars and trainings to learn about the deeper aspects of the zero waste movement and the non-profit world. Additionally, we get out of the office for field trips to see the many facets of the zero waste movement, including:

- Tours of expanded recycling and resource management facilities (composting facilities, Revolution Recovery & Recycled Artist in Residency, Philabundance food recovery operations, and more)
- Canoe and camping trip with friends in the Penobscot Nation of Maine who are fighting landfill expansion in their communities
- Weekend retreat to PLAN’s original office in Dover, NH
- Daily work in a LEED-certified coworking space, CityCoHo
- Opportunity to explore shows, parks, food, art, and more in Philadelphia
- Board games, crafts, dumpster diving, and lots of great bonding activities with interns and staff!

Skills Development & Learning: 

Expected Learning:
- Ability to plan a project from the ground up, including setting and meeting deadlines
- Gain an understanding of the process of building relationships for research, community organizing, and partnership
- Develop language around how to communicate that social and environmental issues impact communities
- Advanced ability to identify and explain the intersections between Zero Waste and Environmental Justice
- A deep understanding of the daily functions of a small start up non-profit

Other details of working conditions: 
PLAN works in a co-working space in Philadelphia. The intern will need their own computer.
Compensation ($): 
$3,000, payable over the course of the summer biweekly
Is Room Included?: 
No
Working Hours: 
Flexible - From: 9 to 5 typically with some weekend & night activities
Total Hours of Work Per Week: 
40