Climate Museum Fall 2023 Volunteer Opportunities/Internships – Museum Studies

The Climate Museum, a non-profit organization, is seeking college or graduate student volunteers/interns to join our team of climate ambassadors for Fall 2023. The Museum’s mission is to inspire action on the climate crisis with programming across the arts and sciences that deepens understanding, builds connections, and advances just solutions.

Since the start of its public programming in late 2017, the Museum has created an activist, cultural approach to community engagement with climate, recognizing that most Americans are worried about the climate crisis but are unsure how to take meaningful action. The Museum’s free, accessible exhibitions, art installations, public and youth programs, advocacy tools, and more have broadened the climate movement, introducing an interdisciplinary approach to climate with an emphasis on community, justice, equity, and inclusion. Programs have been presented at the Climate Museum Pop-Up in Soho, on Governors Island, and in galleries and public spaces citywide. The Museum is currently scaling out to a permanent, year-round presence in New York City. Additional information is available at www.climatemuseum.org or on all social media platforms: @climatemuseum.

These volunteer opportunities/internships present the opportunity to play a generative role in a fast-paced, evolving organization. Volunteers/interns will carry out tasks in an intellectually vibrant and supportive environment within a culture centered around respect and inclusion.

These volunteer opportunities/internships are unpaid, with an option for college credit if your school allows it. Some colleges offer stipends for nonprofit internships or volunteer opportunities. We are able to work with you and your school’s office to submit all relevant documentation if you are receiving a stipend.

Volunteers/interns will work with the Museum team at their office in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan and occasionally at the pop-up in Soho. In-person presence is required.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting immediately, with a final deadline of Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 11:59pm. Virtual interviews will take place from mid-July to early August 2023. Fall volunteer opportunities/internships have a target start date during the week of September 11 and end date in December 2023 (exact dates are flexible depending on the applicant’s fall semester dates.)

Volunteer Opportunity/Internship descriptions:

The Museum is offering three volunteer/intern tracks: Development/Fundraising, Digital Design, and Social Media/PR.

Volunteers/interns will largely focus on the following tasks with additional opportunities that will vary depending on the immediate activities of the Climate Museum.

Development/Fundraising:

Support the execution of development and fundraising tasks, including stewardship of current and prospective donors by conducting donor prospect research, background research, and philanthropic trends research.
Assist with preparation of fundraising materials including but not limited to applications, agendas, notes and summaries.
Join Development and other strategic team meetings.
Support administrative processes, including utilization of Salesforce CRM (no prior experience required).

Digital Design:

Create graphics using the Climate Museum’s visual identity for program materials, social media, digital & print marketing.
Manage website updates.
Assist with digital communications.
Attend weekly social media team meetings to participate in integrated communications planning, including social media, website, etc.

Social Media/PR:

Write and post social media content on a daily basis based on the Museum’s daily social media calendar.
Generate creative content ideas with the aim of boosting engagement on all social platforms as well as new digital opportunities.
Monitor the Museum’s social media engagement (Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok), analytics, and media coverage and determine where new opportunities lie.
Attend weekly social media team meetings.
Research climate media outlets, reporters, and relevant social media accounts.
Monitor climate news.
Attend PR weekly meetings with the Museum and its PR agency to learn about integrated communications plans, including story ideas the agency will pitch to journalists and bloggers.

Qualifications:

All volunteers/interns:

Ability to volunteer (unpaid) for approximately 15 hours/week, which will typically be during the hours of 10am – 6 pm Eastern time. Occasional weekend days or evenings will be requested. *Students who have an interest in an expanded schedule should indicate their availability in their cover letters.
College (sophomores and above) and graduate students only. Students must be taking courses leading to a degree, certificate, or diploma.
Self-starter able to attend in-person in Manhattan within the hours of 10am – 6pm Eastern time.
If selected, the candidate must provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated and have received boosters, in accordance with CDC and other applicable government guidelines, against the COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2) virus, subject to any accommodation or other exceptions required by law. In addition, and subject to changing public health conditions, masks may be required of both Museum team members and visitors at events that do not include food and drink, subject to any accommodation or other exemptions required by law.
Demonstrated passion for climate issues, social justice, and/or museums.
Exceptional research and writing skills and generally strong academic qualifications.
Enterprising and ambitious mindset balanced with outstanding adaptability, collaborative skills, and ability to work independently.
Ability to interact with Museum visitors at public programs in an ambassadorial role. Proficiency in Google Drive preferred, as well as the ability to learn new software.
Ability to maintain a flexible and positive attitude in a fast-paced environment.
If selected, volunteers/interns are requested to bring their own laptops to the office, if they have one, or to request technology access accommodations.

Development/fundraising volunteer/intern additional skills:

A keen interest in development, fundraising, or community engagement preferred.
Experience with Salesforce CRM preferred but not required.

Digital Design volunteer/intern additional skills:

Graphic design skills with Adobe platforms — InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator (skills with at least one are required).
Experience with SquareSpace (preferred, not required).
Experience using HTML and CSS (preferred, not required).
Attention to detail.

Social Media/PR volunteer/intern additional skills:

Experience managing social media accounts and producing high-quality content.
Attention to detail.

To apply:

Submit your resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for two references (i.e., former work supervisor or faculty member) through this portal. In your letter, please note your preferred volunteer/internship track, as well as your available start and end dates.

If you are applying for the Digital Design track, please provide two work samples.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the volunteer opportunity/internship will begin in September 2023 and end in December 2023. Start and end dates are flexible depending on the applicant’s fall semester dates. Volunteers/interns selected will not be entitled to employment with the Museum upon the conclusion of the volunteer opportunity/internship.

Apply here

The Climate Museum highly values diversity and views the climate crisis as, among other things, a multilateral, social justice crisis. Our aspiration is for our team to represent NYC both demographically and through a multitude of experiences and viewpoints. The Climate Museum is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals where required, in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Applicants may request a reasonable accommodation for interviews and to satisfy the essential functions of the job.