Make an impact: Apply for a Data Research Analyst Internship with the Smart Surfaces Coalition!
The Smart Surfaces Coalition (SSC) is a fast-growing non-profit organization made up of 40+ leading NGOs from a wide range of industries including urban sustainability, public health, and environmental justice. The Coalition supports the rapid adoption of Smart Surfaces—a term referring to the integrated deployment of reflective, porous, and green surfaces, solar PV, and urban trees city-wide—in cities in the US and globally. This is one of the largest, least deployed, and most cost-effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and is central to addressing urban environmental justice issues. SSC seeks passionate and enthusiastic individuals with 2-3 years of directly relevant, substantial experience to serve as Data Research Analyst Interns.
Title: Data Research Analyst Intern
Location: Remote
Position: Part-time Internship (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week: 10-20
Duration: 16 weeks
Start Date: September 2024
Compensation: $250-500 biweekly (dependent on hours)
The Data Research Analyst Intern will support the development of SSC’s Benefit-Costs Analysis Tool which quantifies the co-benefits of smart surface implementation across U.S. cities. Interns will work with SSC’s Data Team to build out the methodologies and documentation for scaling individual quantification pathways using publicly available, local datasets for 10 cities and metro areas. Day-to-day responsibilities will entail working with federal, state, and local databases, mapping platforms, and analytical tools to conduct data acquisition, cleaning, processing, analysis, and documentation of procedures. This experience will be a valuable way to advance one’s experience and qualifications for work in sustainability analytics, climate adaptation, or urban planning. Successful candidates will have a background in data analysis and research, possess excellent communication skills, be very organized and detail-oriented, and excited to learn new things in a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment.
Primary Responsibilities
Under supervision of the Data Project Manager and Data Analyst, acquire, clean, process, and analyze city-specific data using Excel and/or Python/R according to internal best practices and procedures.
Work with the Data Team and external partners to research and review existing literature on the costs and benefits associated with Smart Surfaces.
Participating in weekly team meetings to discuss the data research objectives.
Presenting research and analysis findings to internal team members and stakeholders.
Contribute to the development of methods flow charts, technical reports, and communication materials.
Required Qualifications
Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Geography, Public Health, Architecture, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
Minimum of 3.0 grade point average, with substantial course work and work experience in relevant disciplines.
Demonstrated passion for climate change mitigation and adaptation, urban transformation, environmental justice, or similar directly relevant subjects.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, effective time management, and the ability to work and learn independently or with a team.
Experience navigating and acquiring data from publicly available databases.
Experience analyzing and managing data in Microsoft Excel and conducting research.
Educational or professional experience programming in R, Python, or equivalent.
Ability to write about and explain complex concepts in simple, concrete terms.
Very well organized with high level of attention to detail
Strong writing and oral communication skills in English.
Interested individuals should email a CV and cover letter describing their background and interests to Shallon Hartke (shartke@smartsurfacescoalition.org). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Smart Surfaces Coalition is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to racial equity and accessibility. Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA people are strongly encouraged to apply. SSC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, sex, age, gender identity or expression, or other status protected by applicable law.