About the Program:
Electric School Bus Initiative Overview The 480,000 school buses in the United States account for 80% of all buses nationwide, yet less than 1% are electrified. School bus electrification represents a unique opportunity to accelerate decarbonization while bringing direct, tangible benefits to every community in the United States. This transition can help make electric mobility the new normal for an entire generation. Through the U.S. Electric School Bus Initiative, funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, WRI’s aim is to create unstoppable momentum over the next five years on a path toward electrifying the entire fleet of U.S. school buses by 2030. Overcoming the cost, infrastructure and policy barriers to mass adoption will require a systemic approach that engages an entire ecosystem of actors and prioritizes inclusive planning with impacted communities. WRI will achieve this by partnering with key stakeholders and project partners to work on five key pillars: 1) aggregate demand, 2) scale manufacturing, 3) develop innovative financing models, 4) influence federal and state policy, and 5) galvanize communities and stakeholders to push for an equitable and comprehensive shift towards electric school buses. Just Transitions and Equitable Climate Action Resource Center Overview Working towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing the impacts of climate change will require an unprecedented transition to a net-zero economy. A transition of the necessary scale has the potential to offer significant social and economic benefits. However, an economy-wide transition poses significant risk to vulnerable communities, regions, and sectors. WRI is focused on helping to create an equitable transition that helps those who are most vulnerable both participate and thrive in a net-zero economy. The Just Transitions and Equitable Climate Action team works across different sectors, regions, and types of projects to produce research, resources, and data to drive a more equitable future. This includes work focused on communities impacted by the transition away from fossil fuels, workers impacted by electric vehicles, and other examples at a local, regional, and global level. To enable a just energy transition, challenges related to new and emerging jobs that may not have previously existed and jobs that may be lost must be addressed. Part of this team’s work focuses on workforce development challenges, needs, and solutions as they relate to an economy-wide transition. One of the projects underway focuses on EV-related workforce issues including identifying transferable skills, the types of roles in demand, and the training programs in place to meet that demand. This position is hybrid. What you will do: As an Electric Vehicle (EV) Workforce Intern, you will play a key role on both the WRI Electric School Bus Initiative and Just Transition and Equitable Climate Action Resource Center. You will do work focused on light and medium-duty vehicles (LMDVs) and heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) such as school buses. As part of ongoing work focused on EV-related skills and jobs, you will contribute to the expansion of a current database tracking relevant training programs. In this role, you will help identify, research, and map relevant training programs across the US focused on different parts of the electric vehicle industry which may include manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and charging infrastructure. You will support the development of external-facing knowledge products and communications materials and may also assist with stakeholder working groups. Internship Learning Outcomes:
Conduct research and writing activities on EVs (light, medium, and heavy-duty) and battery circularity topics.Research and track workforce development programs in the US related to the auto industry.Engage with the relevant stakeholders including the private sector, training providers, and policymakers in meetings, steering committee, and working groups.Track industry news and events related to EVs.Learn about complex supply chains, batteries in electric vehicle production, and the auto sector workforce.Contribute written content for publications and presentations.Assist team members with collecting and organizing data from various sources.The intern will gain experience in the following areas:
Technical research and writingEV workforce training.Electric transportation technology development.Jobs, skills, and workforce development related to the EV industry.What you will need:
Pursuing or completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrochemistry, environmental/sustainability topics, electrical engineering, energy systems, transportation engineering, supply chain management, or a related topic.Research and analytical skills. Previous experience in creating original projects, products, or research activities.Familiarity or interest in electric vehicles and climate change.Experience related to electric vehicles, transportation planning, energy storage, or another relevant field.Experience working with supply chain businesses, electric vehicle companies, educational institutions, community-based non-profits, and/or environmental justice groups.Demonstrated extracurricular interest in electric vehicle planning, sustainable transportation planning, or electric grid planning.Compensation The pay for this internship opportunity is $20 for undergrads; $22 for graduates and $24 for PhD. Length of Contract: This is a full-time, 3-month internship with a flexible start and end date. Location:
This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office. You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days a month.WRI will provide a laptop for the duration of your internship.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with a cover letter by February 11, 2024. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. About Us: Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact. Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.
WRI is committed to advancing gender, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.
Our mission and values: WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.