Friday, October 31, 2008

Climate Change Research Assistant

SAFE CLIMATE CAMPAIGN

The Safe Climate Campaign fights global warming. Launched in 2008 by environmental advocate Dan Becker, the Campaign concentrates on the biggest single step to curbing global warming: slashing auto pollution. The Campaign is a project of the Center for Auto Safety.

Job Description: The Safe Climate Campaign seeks a Research Associate, an enthusiastic and committed self starter with excellent writing and verbal skills.

Location: Washington, DC

Reports to Director

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Associate works with the Director to:

* Design and implement advocacy strategies and projects,
* Research and write web pages, fact sheets and other written materials,
* Conduct education, outreach and advocacy with decision makers, activists and the media,
* Work with allies and participate in coalition strategy meetings,
* Prepare fundraising proposals and reports,
* Carry out special projects.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

* 1-2 years experience in environmental work; interest in and knowledge about global warming and clean cars is a plus,
* Excellent written and oral communication skills,
* Undergraduate degree in English, Environmental Studies or a related field,
* Well organized and able to handle multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines,
* Facility with information technology systems and programs,
* Demonstrated commitment to progressive change.

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY: Send resume, cover letter, references and brief writing sample to: Danbecker@safeclimatecampaign.org

Safe Climate Campaign 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW (Suite 330) Washington, D.C. 20009

Director of Government Relations: Climate and Energy Policy

New DC-based job opportunity on climate and energy policy - Director of Government Relations, Ceres

URL for position description: http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=417

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Director of Government Relations

Ceres is soliciting applications for the new position of Director of Government Relations. This position will be located in Washington, D.C. This opening is designed for a highly motivated, self-starter looking to help communicate and be an advocate for Ceres’ message on energy and climate change. The position reports to the President of Ceres; s/he will also work in a team with Ceres’ Director of Communications, Director of Governance Programs, and Director of Investor Programs.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

* Monitor existing and emerging federal energy and climate policy issues and legislative initiatives of relevance to Ceres
* Generate policy positions, fact sheets, and approaches to advocacy for review by Ceres’ policy and management teams
* Work with Congress and federal policymakers to advance Ceres climate and energy policy objectives
* Provide regular update to Ceres’ Boston-based policy team
* Organize meetings with key Congressional staff
* Create content updates for Ceres climate and energy policy webpage
* Facilitate investor and business outreach to policymakers on energy and climate change issues
* Collaborate with Ceres Communication team to reach business and opinion leader press

Qualifications

* 5+ years experience on energy and/or climate change policy issues, including 3+ years working closely with Congress or federal agencies
* Master’s degree or equivalent education preferred in public policy, law (J.D.), environmental policy or related field
* Knowledge of energy and climate change issues, including an understanding of business, the investment community, policy debates, and NGOs
* Able to organize and track multiple projects and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
* Highly developed writing skills
* Excellent personal, political, communication and government-relations skills.
* Ability to work independently and travel to Boston office on monthly basis.

Other Information

* This is a full-time position based in Washington, D.C.
* Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.
* Ceres provides a generous benefits package which includes medical and dental insurance, matching 403(b) contributions, and annual leave.

How to Apply

We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Applicants should submit a resume, two writing samples, a list of three references, and a letter describing their qualifications, interests, and potential contribution to our organization.

Address all correspondence to:

Careers at Ceres – Government Relations
ATTN: Hilary Forbes
Email (preferred): careers@ceres.org
99 Chauncy Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Fax: 617-267-5400
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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Program Training Coordinator

Job Title: Program Training Coordinator (Faculty Exchange Program)

Grade: GS-0303-07

Area of Consideration: All Sources

The position is located in the Scientific Exchanges Branch of the Trade and Scientific Exchanges Division within the Office of Capacity Building and Development, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA/FAS/OCBD/TSED).

The Trade and Scientific Exchanges Division coordinates and implements short-term trade capacity and scientific exchanges through the Cochran Fellowship Branch and the Scientific Exchanges Branch.

The incumbent will be assigned to the Scientific Exchanges Branch and will work under the direction of the Program Leader. You will work on a day to day basis with the Program Manager of the Faculty Exchange Program (FEP) and provide administrative support to assist in the development and implementation of this program. The FEP program aims to promote food security and economic growth through education and enhanced curriculum development. It brings agricultural university faculty from developing and middle income countries to the U.S. for a semester of training at a U.S. Land Grant University.

Required Skills:

# Training and/or experience in agriculture, economics, rural sociology, natural resources, international trade and/or international development/relations sufficient to apply that knowledge in the development and implementation of appropriate international training programs. Experience implementing international training programs.
# Knowledge of U.S. educational institutions and agricultural businesses that have strong agricultural education and training programs.
# Experience in planning and carrying out administrative and financial tasks and budget monitoring. Ability to handle multiple tasks with close attention to detail.
# Ability to handle difficult situations, resolve problems, and effectively maintain working relations with individuals from U.S. and foreign government agencies, universities and the private sector.
# A solid working knowledge of micro-computer uses and skill in using word processing software, databases and telecommunications systems. Ability to generate high quality reports and memos from database programs in a timely manner.

To apply:
Send (via e-mail, fax, or postal services) the following information to the Program Officer listed below no later than the expiration date of this announcement:

1. A cover letter that describes your abilities separately and individually for each of the above listed "required skills".

2. A current resume.

N.B. Applications that do not include a statement addressing individually each of the required skills will not be considered. E-mail submissions are preferred.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position and must be able to qualify (after starting) for a security clearance at the secret level.

Program Officer: Rao Achutuni

Mailing Address: USDA/FAS/OCBD/TSED Scientific Exchanges Branch, Room 3215-S, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington D.C. 20250-1086

Email Address: Rao.Achutuni@fas.usda.gov

Telephone: 202-720-2036 Fax: 202- 690-0892

This announcement expires close of business October 31, 2008.

Sustaining Natural Resources and Environmental Integrity During Response to Crisis and Conflict: Nov. 12, 2008

Please join the Environmental Change and Security Program for a discussion of

Sustaining Natural Resources and Environmental Integrity During Response to Crisis and Conflict

featuring

Anita Van Breda, Director, Humanitarian Partnerships, World Wildlife Fund

Charles Kelly, Affiliate, Benfield Hazard Research Centre, University College
London

Marion Pratt, Social Science Advisor, U.S. Agency for International Development

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
5th Floor Conference Room
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Webcast live at www.wilsoncenter.org.

Please RSVP to ecsp@wilsoncenter.org with your name and affiliation.

Post-conflict and post-disaster response programs are often designed and implemented quickly, with the highest priority given to basic health services; water and sanitation; and infrastructure. Environmental issues typically receive much less systematic attention, and crisis-response programs can sometimes cause additional environmental degradation. This session will examine strategies to mitigate the negative social and environmental impacts of responding to conflict and crisis. Presenters will discuss how long-term considerations such as natural resource management (NRM) can best be integrated into crisis response, and will also highlight areas in need of future attention, innovation, and investment.

Anita Van Breda, director of humanitarian partnerships at the World Wildlife Fund, will provide an overview of pre-response planning and incorporating NRM into post-conflict response. Marion Pratt, a social science advisor in USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and Charles Kelly, an affiliate of University College London’s Benfield Hazard Research Centre, will present case studies, discussing best practices for integrating long-term environmental concerns into post-conflict work.

This is the sixth and final event in ECSP’s “New Horizons at the Nexus of Conflict, Natural Resources, and Health” series, which examines new thinking and research at the intersection of these areas. This series is funded jointly by USAID’s Office of Natural Resources Management, its Office of Population and Reproductive Health, and its Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation, with technical support from USAID’s Asia, Middle East, and Africa bureaus. For more information on this series, please visit www.wilsoncenter.org/newhorizons.

If you are interested, but unable to attend the event, please tune into the live or archived webcast at www.wilsoncenter.org. The webcast will begin approximately 10 minutes after the posted meeting time. You will need Windows Media Player to watch the webcast. To download the free player, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download.

Location: Woodrow Wilson Center at the Ronald Reagan Building: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW ("Federal Triangle" stop on Blue/Orange Line), 5th Floor Conference Room. A map to the Center is available at www.wilsoncenter.org/directions. Note: Due to heightened security, entrance to the building will be restricted and photo identification is required. Please allow additional time to pass through security.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

RiverSmart Homes Internship

This is a great position if you want to gain practical work experience in the environmental field. Please send your resume and three refrances to john.wasiutynski@dc.gov. If you have questions about the position you can email or call, 202.535.1844.

-
District Department of the Environment (DDOE)

RiverSmart Homes Internship

Department(s)


DDOE – Watershed Protection Division (WPD)

Reports to Environmental Specialist

Hours

24 hour per week (must be available on some evenings and Saturdays, schedule is flexible)

Start Date


Immediately (through May 2009)

Compensation
This position is paid.

Job summary

WPD's RiverSmart Homes is an innovative program newly launched. It has received support from Mayor Fenty, and is a component in the ongoing restoration efforts of District waterways. RiverSmart Homes provides homeowners the opportunity to manage stormwater runoff on their property with shade trees, rain barrels, pervious pavers, rain gardens and/or BayScaping. By managing stormwater runoff in residential areas, there is a reduction of excess nutrients, sediments and toxins in the waterways.


The RiverSmart Intern will be support staff for the RiverSmart Homes programming.

Summary of essential job functions

* Schedule and conduct Stormwater Home Audits (i.e. inspect properties to determine which site retrofits would be appropriate)
* Assist in the management of RiverSmart Homes database
* Interact with interested homeowners at public events such as fairs and festivals
* Develop RiverSmart Homes Listserve and regularly send messages to participating homeowners
* Facilitate partnerships with non-profit organizations

Minimum requirements

Current masters degree candidate pursuing a degree in environmental studies, ecology, biology, engineering, landscaping, public administration or a related field and/or relevant work/volunteer experience. Knowledge of low-impact-development techniques (LID) a bonus.

Abilities/Skills required

· Valid Drivers License

* Knowledge and comfort navigating D.C. neighborhoods

* Ability to successfully communicate with a wide variety of constituencies
* Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to effectively plan and problem solve
* Strong initiative and high energy
* Time management skills, with the ability to prioritize
* Computer proficiency and experience with database applications (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel and MS Access)

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Congo Week: Oct. 27-Nov. 1, 2008

CONGO WEEK
Breaking the Silence
October 27th-November 1st

Tuesday Hughes Formal Lounge 12-2pm
The Environmental Impact of the Conflict Panelists from Green Peace and the Bonobo Conservation Initiative

Thursday Ward 1, 6-8:30pm
AFRICOM and its Perspective on the Conflict in the Congo

Hope to see you all there!

Please email ausofas@gmail.com with any questions or if you would like to get involved with the Student Organization for African Studies.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Eco-Feast

Live Green and the Art of Living Present: eco-feast_flyer
Questions/Information
Gopika Prabhu / Tel. 202.494.7607 / Email. gopika@artofliving.org
www.livegreen.net/events