Summer Sustainable Programs Support and Analysis Internship (Paid)

Location:  SPI Headquarters, 1425 K St, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C.

Application deadline:  April 15, 2015

Duration:  40 hours/week, Temporary ending August 15 (negotiable)

Start Date:  June 15 (negotiable)

About the internship

The intern will assist on two key projects including the Sustainability Benchmarking Tool (SBT) and the Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) program.  The SBT is a comprehensive survey that was deployed in January 2015 with the aim to benchmark where the industry is at in terms of adopting and implementing sustainability in their operations.  The survey is modeled after the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework.  The information will be used to communicate the best practices being adopted by the industry and identify areas that SPI can develop programming to further support adoption of these practices.

            Operation Clean Sweep is voluntary program that SPI developed and administers in conjunction with the American Chemistry Council to prevent loss of resin pellets in factories that could ultimately end up in marine environments.  This program has gained national and international recognition as instrumental in the reduction of pellets in the ocean.  In addition to OCS, SPI is actively engaged with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program and the United Nations (UN) on marine debris issues. 

Primary responsibilities

The Intern will have the unique opportunity to engage major brand owners, resin suppliers and converters (processors) and staff at SPI to support administration and promotion of these efforts, provide analysis and assist on other sustainability-driven programs as needed.  Responsibilities include:

·         Communications with members to raise awareness about these efforts,

·         Participating in meetings and teleconferences,

·         Researching best practices in sustainable operations,

·         Providing analysis and contributing to reports,

·         Help maintain and provide information for websites as needed.

·         Collecting data and information

Qualifications

We are seeking a driven college student who is passionate about integrating sustainability in the business world.  The intern must be able to interface leaders of our industry, so being professional, personable and confident is important.  You must also be able to demonstrate:

·         Strong verbal and written communication skills,

·         Ability to get things done on time,

·         Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team,

·         Strong skills with MS Office suite programs such as Word and PowerPoint,

·         Ability to maintain information and treat industry information in confidence (a confidentiality agreement will be required)

Compensation

The intern will receive a $5000 stipend for the term of the internship.

Application

Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample or work product that you think demonstrates you would be a successful candidate for this project.  Materials can be sent to HR@plasticsindustry.org.  Please include “Sustainability Program Intern application” in the subject line.