Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Primary Program Area Focus: ANR

1. Describe your plans for this internship. (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?)

The intern will be primarily supporting the Coastal Resilience Extension Program. The intern will be exposed to ways to protect the coastal environment including coastal hazard mitigation and planning, sustainable environmental landscaping solutions such as living shorelines, technology including flood analysis mapping, and water quality analysis. The intern will have the opportunity to work with local innovative businesses and localities that are researching coastal resilient solutions in Virginia’s coastal communities and will also engage with faculty who are engaged in GO Virginia grants to research coastal resilience. The intern will also be exposed to concepts of environmental justice as it applied to coastal communities in Virginia. In addition to learning about coastal resilience, the intern will be exposed to and will learn about aquaculture and seafood research through the Virginia Seafood AREC and the economics of seafood best practices through SeaMAR.

2. Describe the knowledge / skills you expect the intern to gain from this experience.

The intern will work closely with the 4-H Agent, Extension staff, and Community Partners to gain knowledge/skills in:

The intern will learn about coastal resilience planning, mitigation, response and recovery, environmental, agriculture and natural resource sustainability and protection of coastal land and water resources. The intern will learn current technology including ArcGIS mapping, 3D virtual GIS, how to develop story maps, and use of other mapping techniques. The intern may also be exposed to technologies for drone mapping. Exposure to research based coastal resilience, aquaculture and seafood knowledge will prepare the student to work in Virginia’s seafood or agriculture industry. Coastal resilience is focused on adaptation and providing solutions to local needs – the student will learn these skills by working with localities including City of Hampton and Gloucester through involvement with actual coastal resilience efforts through GO Virginia grants.

3. How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?

Although the primary focus of the internship will be coastal resilience and therefore agriculture and natural resources (ANR) focused, the intern will be scheduled for multiple visits to coastal extension offices in several coastal communities in Virginia and will have the opportunity to learn from local extension agents who lead 4-H and FCS programs as well as the extension specialists at the Virginia Seafood AREC who primarily focus on ANR.

General Job Description

• Seeks information from mentors and colleagues regarding the history, purpose and mission of Virginia Cooperative Extension.
• Works with Unit Extension Agents to coordinate and implement educational program events and activities, aimed to improve lives and communities.
• Participates in meetings where local issues are identified and prioritized, and program results and plans are discussed.
• Assists in preparations for planned events and activities by gathering information, assembling materials, contacting participants, and soliciting support from external sources. As appropriate, conducts the teaching, training, or other program presentations.
• In some cases, the intern may identify and develop a value-added process, program, or training tool that may be implemented within the hosting unit's current operations. This contribution should provide a substantial addition to the intern's resume as practical and applicable work experience.
• Maintains a log, blog, or journal outlining internship experiences in order to complete the required Record of Internship. Completes and submits Record of Internship at the conclusion of the internship.
• Compensation: Interns will work up to 40 hours per week for a maximum of 10 weeks in the summer at an hourly rate of $12.
• Housing is not provided. However, Unit faculty may be able to assist you in finding an affordable place to live.
• (More specific job description information can be found on the location of current internship opportunities page)

Internship Qualifications

• Student applicants must have completed their sophomore year of college prior to the start of the internship (i.e. you must be a rising college Junior or Senior)
• Non-student applicants must at least have a bachelor's degree at the start of the internship with at least one degree in a discipline related to the mission of Extension.
• All applicants must possess a minimum GPA of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale at the time of application (exceptions will be considered with substantial justification).
• Student applicants must be currently enrolled in or accepted to a four-year accredited college or university in a course of study relevant to the mission of Extension. Community College (or other 2-year college) students are eligible to apply for a VCE internship, but before the student can be hired, they would have to provide proof (acceptance letter) that they have been accepted into a 4 year institution. The student can apply for an internship without that proof, and can even be offered a position, but VCE must see proof of acceptance into a 4-year institution before they can be hired. The student would also have to be accepted in a field of study aligned with VCE’s programming efforts.
• Interns must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Must have strong oral and written communications skills, and be able to work effectively and build relationships with others.
• Must have good organization and planning skills, and be able to demonstrate effective project coordination, facilitation, and implementation based on past work or school experiences.
• Must possess deductive reasoning skills and be able to analyze and synthesize information for problem solving.
• Experience working with volunteers and youth is preferred.
• Must have a personal commitment to working with diverse clientele and colleagues.
• Must be willing to travel within the local area and work flexible hours. In other words, this position requires travel connected with official duties, including attendance at night and weekend meetings. (Mileage reimbursement will be provided.)

How to Apply: 

1. Review the general internship job description to see if this job matches your career goals.
2. Review the internship qualifications to see if you are eligible to apply.
3. Select the locations of the specific internship(s) that you are interested in, by viewing the locations of current internship opportunities. Summer internship position locations and descriptions are routinely posted in late-February each year.
4. Students who are interested in being considered for an internship apply by responding to the application Qualtrics survey at this link. You will be asked to submit a cover letter describing why you are interested in the VCE internship program and why you would be a good candidate. Be prepared to identify the units to which you are applying to. You will be asked to provide a resume & the names and contact information for three references. You will need to request a copy of your latest official college or university transcript from your Registrar Office. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. After completing your application, please mail your official transcripts to Mary Roop, Virginia Tech (VCE), 115 Hutcheson Hall (0908), Blacksburg, VA 24061. If your college or university only sends official transcripts electronically, then have the Registrar send it by email to: maryroop@vt.edu
5. Application review will begin on March 10 and accepted applications will be forwarded to unit offices on March 17. We will continue to accept applications until all intern positions are filled.
6. Upon completion of the Application Review process, the internship applicants will be notified of their applicaiton status via e-mail. Then the application packets of qualified applicants will be forwarded to unit offices - beginning on the March 18 release date.
7. Someone from the Extension unit office for which you applied will communicate with you about interviews and make final decisions about intern selections.