Environmental Justice internship opportunity

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September 5, 2023

December 15, 2023 (for fall semester internships) or May 10, 2024 (for year-long internships). 

The length of the internship will be decided once an offer is made to a candidate, and will be based on the candidate’s needs and availability, but lasting no less than 3 months. 

August 7, 2023

$20/hour, 10-15 hours a week

Christine Carmichael, Ph.D., Founder and Principal Consultant 

1.  Flexible work hours and ability to work from home for most hours.
2. Mentoring from a leading expert in the field of environmental justice and urban and community forestry.
3. Professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences within driving distance (or virtual conferences), at no cost to you, with the approval of Dr. Carmichael.
4. Receive training in resume development, job search strategies, and a recommendation letter upon successful completion of the internship.
5. Gain an insider’s view of how to successfully consult with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and residents in disadvantaged communities to make sure that everyone benefits from trees in cities.

 Dr. Christine Carmichael is the Founder and Principal of Fair Forests Consulting, LLC, which she began in July 2019. She holds a Ph.D. in Forestry with a Specialization in Gender, Justice, and Environmental Change and a Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement from Michigan State University. 

Dr. Carmichael has published research explaining why 25% of Detroit residents eligible to receive a free street tree between 2011-2014 chose to decline this offer. Her subsequent postdoctoral research at the University of Vermont explored the perspectives of residents in flood-prone and wildfire-affected neighborhoods on the health impacts of climate change and barriers to implementation of green infrastructure strategies to reduce those health impacts. 

Fair Forests Consulting provides training to non-profit organizations and government agencies on environmental justice in urban and community forestry, helps clients to successfully apply for and secure grants to fund environmental justice projects, and advises cities on how to integrate environmental justice into community engagement practices and Urban Forest Management Plans. Past clients include the cities of Oakland, CA; Ann Arbor, MI; and Holyoke, MA. 

1. Help design training materials for virtual and/or in-person training events for students, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community residents in neighborhoods with few healthy trees.
2. Co-facilitate virtual and/or in-person training events. 
3. Contact and assess the needs of prospective clients.
4. Help to write proposals for services.
5. Assist in finding research articles and other sources of information to integrate equity and inclusion principles into Urban Forest Management Plans for clients.
6. Write portions of Urban Forest Management Plans to reflect the latest research findings on how to maximize the success of efforts to plant trees in neighborhoods with little tree canopy cover. 
7. Contribute to marketing for Dr. Carmichael’s forthcoming book on “Growing fair forests: How to make sure everyone benefits from trees in cities,” set for publication in late 2023.

NOTE: Specific duties will be determined based on the selected intern's skills, knowledge, background, and interests. 

1.  A passion for fairness and equality among people of all different backgrounds.
2. A desire to facilitate positive relationships between people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and trees where they live.
3. An interest in the social sciences and community engagement.
4. Ability to work well with others and on your own.
5. An internet connection that allows for electronic communication and virtual meetings (on Zoom).

If you can see yourself in this position, submit a 1-2 page letter of interest (single-spaced, in a PDF or Word document). This letter should detail your background, qualifications, and reasons for applying to the internship. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and email address in your application letter.  Submission of a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is optional. If you want to create a resume using a template, I suggest the following resource: https://www.canva.com/create/resumes/

NOTE: If you do not have experience in some of the job tasks listed above, that's ok! The goal of this internship is to help you further develop your strengths while also gaining new knowledge and skills. In your letter of application, describe what skills, knowledge, and experiences  you have related to the job duties, and which areas you would like to grow more in terms of knowledge and skills. 

Applications will be accepted from candidates from any geographic region in the world. Up to two interns will be hired initially, with preference for one intern local to the mid-Michigan area. 

Submit your application by email to Dr. Christine Carmichael: Christine@fairforests.com no later than Monday, August 7, 2023.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting on July 1, 2023.

Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Christine Carmichael, the Founder and Principal for Fair Forests Consulting, with any questions you may have about applying.