Thursday, October 15, 2015

Three Peace Corps Internships Available

Peace Corps Office of Innovation
Spring 2016 Mapping Internship 
DC-based and Virtual

DC-based GIS Internship
The Peace Corps Office of Innovation in Washington, DC seeks interns for its geospatial initiative for the Spring 2016 semester. In collaboration with staff and volunteers throughout Peace Corps, the intern will seek to make our geo-spatial data easier to analyze through intuitive visualizations. Interns will use modern GIS software and methods and support the development of training materials for Peace Corps staff and Volunteers in basic GIS tools. Finally, the intern will contribute to our OpenStreetMap activities and enjoy opportunities for professional development as relates to geography, GIS, international development, government and their other professional skills/interests.

The Peace Corps offers a work-study agreement for interns from George Washington University and George Mason University; however, students from any university and non-students may apply and be considered. This position is unpaid, unless you are eligible for work-study through one of these two universities. Please send resume, cover letter and two GIS work samples to Courtney Clark at cclark2@peacecorps.gov by Oct. 23rd, 2015.

Activities and Responsibilities:

         Work with experts throughout the agency to build data visualizations using GIS tools
         Train Peace Corps staff in GIS tools and techniques
         Ensure that Peace Corps field teams have access to real-time, accurate geographic data by digitizing satellite imagery through the OpenStreetMap platform
         Support the development of training packages designed to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of mapmaking and GIS in the field
         Professional development in this space and related to interests/skills/knowledge required by position and role
         Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

         Strong GIS skills
         Excellent verbal and written communication skills
         Flexible and comfortable in a lively, changing work environment
         Team-player and problem solver who is accountable for monitoring projects to completion with limited supervision
         Interest in international development or government sectors and data for development
         Familiarity with and enthusiasm for OpenStreetMap a huge plus

DC-based OpenStreetMap Internship

The Peace Corps Office of Innovation in Washington, DC seeks interns for its OpenStreetMap initiative for the Spring 2016 semester. In collaboration with staff and volunteers throughout Peace Corps, interns will assist in Peace Corps’ efforts to provide our field teams with real-time, accurate geographic data for use in project design and evaluation processes. About half of the intern’s time will be used to digitize satellite imagery using the OpenStreetMap platform (training will be provided, if necessary). Interns will also assist with virtual and DC-based humanitarian mapping events, outreach and communication. Finally, interns will enjoy opportunities for professional development as relates to geography, GIS, international development, government and their other professional skills/interests.

The Peace Corps offers a work-study agreement for interns from George Washington University and George Mason University; however, students from any university and non-students may apply and be considered. This position is unpaid, unless you are eligible for work-study through one of these two universities. Please send resume, cover letter and two-page writing sample to Courtney Clark at cclark2@peacecorps.gov by Oct. 23rd, 2015.

Activities and responsibilities:

         Digitize satellite imagery in OpenStreetMap for Peace Corps field projects (training provided if necessary)
         Support the development of training materials designed to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of mapmaking, OpenStreetMap capacity building and map literacy programs in the field
         Provide advice on and support the use of social media
         Assist in the planning, promotion and hosting of humanitarian mapping events, demos and trainings for a variety of stakeholders
         Assist in the development of relationships with US government agencies, private entities, and NGOs as relates to humanitarian mapping
         Professional development in this space and related to interests/skills/knowledge required by position and role
         Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

         Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including social media
         Strong attention to detail
         Flexible and comfortable in a lively, changing work environment
         Team-player and problem solver who is accountable for monitoring projects to completion with limited supervision
         Interest in international development or government sectors and data for development
         Familiarity with and enthusiasm for OpenStreetMap a huge plus

Virtual Internship
The Peace Corps virtual Humanitarian Mapping internship is now accepting applications for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2016 semesters. Work from anywhere in the world!

Responsibilities
As a Peace Corps humanitarian mapping intern, you will be responsible for ensuring that our international development teams can access real-time, accurate geographic data during their project design and evaluation processes. We will provide training for you to digitize satellite imagery for Peace Corps Volunteers and host communities and introduce you to other organizations within the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) community. You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership skills and initiative by planning and hosting a humanitarian mapping party on your campus or in your community.

Benefits
        Flexible schedule that fits around your classes
        Independence to be creative when planning a humanitarian mapping party
        One-on-one mentorship from dedicated staff members in the Peace Corps Office of Innovation in Washington, DC
        Network with leading digital humanitarian and geography professionals from top-notch international organizations

Qualifications
        Self-motivated and self-starter
        Effective community organizer
        Can quickly come up with creative solutions
        Work under minimal supervision
        Excellent oral and written communication skills
        Access to a computer with video chat capabilities for group chats (webcam and microphone)
        No prior experience with OpenStreetMap or geography needed -- if you can use a computer, you can learn to map!

To apply, please submit your resume and your preferred internship start/end dates to Courtney Clark at cclark2@peacecorps.gov. Internships are unpaid and do not require a security clearance or travel -- though if your application is accepted and you are in DC, we’d love to have coffee!