Geospatial Data Intern -Spring Semester 2025

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking current university students with geospatial data analysis experience to research, manage, and update data leveraged by our attorneys to fight for clean water, clean air, and a livable environment in the South. The interns will work closely with the Geospatial Science Team and Communications Team on semester-long research projects to fill much-needed data gaps in complex and evolving strategic campaigns. Project topics change semester to semester and may include pollution in drinking water supplies, the threat of sea level rise to industrial facilities, siting green energy infrastructure, the disproportionate burden of road expansion projects in communities of color, protecting wildlife habitat for endangered species, or other topics. Examples of recent past projects include compiling regional PFAS monitoring results into an online data viewer, and synthesizing data on energy burden to deploy at geographically specific scales.

The Geospatial Science team at the Southern Environmental Law Center uses geographic information science and data visualization to analyze, direct, and visually communicate the organization’s work. Our tactics blend localized geographic knowledge, earth observation data, applied science, and information design to generate actionable information to move issues forward. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

Interns will work primarily in-office with some time working from campus/remote possible. This is a semester-long, part-time, paid internship.

Primary Responsibilities (dependent on internship project):

• Research sources of geospatial data on project themes in six Southern states (AL, GA, NC, SC, TN, VA).
• Prepare publicly acquired data for analysis. Preparation may include digitizing, georeferencing, standardizing formats, cleaning results, and testing for completeness.
• Document data sources, standardization methods, and analysis. Write comprehensive metadata for datasets developed during the internship.
• Prepare management/maintenance plans and best practices for continuing to keep information up-to-date and accurate.
• Work with SELC staff to integrate data into existing online geospatial tools and workflows.
• Prepare maps and/or data visualizations on project themes, including graphics for print, digital images, and interactive web-based tools.

Qualifications:

• Experience collecting and using geospatial and aspatial geographic data from public sources, especially state and local governments.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Basic data manipulation in R or Python a plus.
• Geospatial data collection, management, and analysis, including a familiarity with best practices in writing metadata and project documentation.
• Research skills including interpreting data, writing summaries, and preparing annotated bibliographies.
• Basic understanding/interest in environmental law and environmental justice.
• Ability to explain research findings to a broad audience, including those without any technical or topic expertise.
• Ability to receive and integrate constructive feedback.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

About SELC:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.

Internship Information:

• Duration: Spring Semester 2025, 15-20 hours/week
• Apprx. 10-12 weeks
• Compensation: $15.00/hour
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt/temporary.
• Location: SELC Chapel Hill Office
• Application Deadline: Tuesday 12/17/24

To Apply:

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and a work sample or portfolio link (such as a mapping project, work sample from a related job, internship, or research project, or a personal project demonstrating skills relevant to the position). The deadline to apply is Tuesday December 17th, 2024.

APPLY NOW

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.