Undergraduate Summer Internship: Office of Climate Resilience

The Boston University Initiative on Cities seeks an outstanding undergraduate student for a summer internship with the City of Boston’s Office of Climate Resilience. The intern will work on communications and graphic design to support the office’s work adapting and preparing for the impacts of climate.

The Office of Climate Resilience is a part of the Environment, Energy and Open Space (EEOS) Cabinet. Its work focuses on enhancing the city’s preparedness for climate impacts, implementing resilience strategies identified in the Climate Ready Boston plans, securing funding for climate resilience projects, and integrating climate resilience into policy and regulations. Additionally, the Office fosters community engagement and education about climate resilience and works to ensure that climate resilience initiatives are equitable, inclusive, and prioritize support for Boston’s environmental justice populations who are most affected by climate change.

This internship is the successor to the Climate Ready Boston internship, although the focus has changed.

Read about the experience of the 2024 Climate Ready Boston intern here and other past interns and fellows here

Page Overview

Summer 2025 Internship Information

Applications are due on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Plan Ahead! This is during BU Spring Break.). 

We seek a highly motivated candidate with an interest in climate resiliency and local government to develop communications products and graphics to support the work of the Office of Climate Resilience. Through developing content, events, site visits, and informational meetings, the intern will have an opportunity to learn about working in municipal government and will help Boston adapt and prepare for climate change. Additional projects such as research tasks or other work may emerge, but the primary focus will be on content development.

The Intern will be paid approximately $4,760 ($17/hour) for a full-time internship (35 hours per week), which will run for 8 weeks between June and August 2025. The exact start date will be determined by the Office of Climate Resiliency in collaboration with the intern. 

In addition to regular pay, this intern will be provided with a stipend for housing support. The exact amount of this stipend is still being determined.

This internship is located in Boston, and requires the ability to regularly commute to Boston City Hall. 

Qualifications

  • Strong work ethic and initiative
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • A passion for issues of sustainability, climate resiliency, and environmental justice
  • Enthusiasm for public service and local government
  • Familiarity with Google Workspace
  • Experience in graphic design and/or media communications is preferred. This includes includes newsletter/blog writing, website design, and experience with social platforms.
  • Proficiency with Adobe products (such as Illustrator, InDesign, and/or Photoshop) is preferred but not required.

How to Apply & Timeline

Applications due: Monday, March 10, 2025. Please note that applications are due during BU Spring Break, so we recommend applying early.

Application Materials: As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a single PDF. This document should contain the following materials in the same order as listed below:

  • Cover Letter including a description of your interests, skills, and knowledge you expect to apply or expand in this position. 
  • Resume
  • Short essay of no more than 500 words about your perspectives on climate resiliency and adaption in Boston. 
  • A graphic design sample that shows your ability to communicate information in a concise and visually appealing manner.
  • A list of two references, either academic or professional. Please include their title, organization, phone number, and email (no letters of recommendation).
  • Unofficial copy of your academic transcript, including your spring 2025 courses.
    • Screenshots are ok as long as text is clear and legible.
    • Your BU unofficial academic transcript can be obtained free of charge on student link. You may use the preview transcript page (print -> save as PDF) on the transcript ordering page on student link without completing your order of an official transcript. If you have questions regarding obtaining an unofficial BU transcript without ordering one, please contact the registrar or your academic advisor.

Naming your single PDF: Please note, you should name your document using the following format: [First and Last Name] Climate Resilience 2025 Application (for example: Jane Doe Climate Resilience 2025 Application).

How to apply: Apply online here. Please double-check all of the above information, including application materials and naming instructions for your PDF. Please also review the eligibility details below.

Timeline: As noted, applications are due on Monday, March 10, 2025. We expect to award the internship in early to mid April.

Apply Here

    Eligibility Details

    Only current Boston University undergraduate students who meet the following conditions are eligible:

    • Applicants must be in good standing at Boston University
    • Applicants must be enrolled in classes as part of a degree-seeking program at Boston University for the current semester. They must continue in either the same or a new degree-seeking program at Boston University in the 2025 fall semester or the 2025 summer 2 term.
      • Graduating seniors are eligible if they enter a graduate degree program at Boston University and meet the above requirements.
      • Undergraduate students continuing at BU in fall 2025 or summer 2 terms are eligible. However, students working on an incomplete to finish a graduation requirement are not considered enrolled, according to the Student Employment Office, and are therefore ineligible.
      • Students may enroll in summer 1 courses but must also meet the above requirements.

    Responsibilities/Terms of Award

      • The intern will work 35 hours per week for the entire eight weeks.
      • Intern must be responsive to the Initiative on Cities requests during the internship and may be asked to submit content for web and/or social media.
      • Interns must complete a reflection piece within two weeks of the completion of their internship, reflecting on their work in the office and the project(s) they worked on throughout the summer. This piece should emphasize the Intern’s core focus for the summer, their project’s impact, as well as lessons learned. They are encouraged to incorporate interactive elements, including video and photography. This reflection will be shared on the IOC website.
      • Interns may participate in a roundtable discussion or other related event held in fall 2025 to share their experience working in city government.

      Questions

      If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with David Gross, MetroBridge Program Manager, at davgross@bu.edu.