NextGen Climate Interns - 2025
King County
NextGen Climate Interns - 2025
SALARY
$21.21 - $26.88 Hourly
LOCATION
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
JOB TYPE
Intern
JOB NUMBER
2025SWMA23609
DEPARTMENT
EXEC - Executive's Office
DIVISION
Administration
OPENING DATE
01/10/2025
CLOSING DATE
1/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
BARGAINING UNIT
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
FULL- OR PART-TIME
Part Time
Summary
The King County Executive Climate Office invites candidates for the next cohort of NextGen Climate Interns.
Participants in this program will contribute to shaping their professional development in climate-associated career fields. Project-based interns will complete policy and implementation driven assignments supporting King County's Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), integrating climate change into all county operations, and working with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The SCAP outlines King County's priorities and commitments for climate action to residents and partners. These internships will be yearlong and will provide experience in the practical application of coursework and local government action in responding to climate change in a large-scale urban infrastructure system. Participants will have opportunities to work on individual projects and a larger group project that contributes to raising awareness about the NextGen Climate internship program.
Each NextGen intern will work with King County Staff helping to implement a priority action connected to the SCAP. Past projects have included arranging a climate justice learning series, developing performance measurement metrics for climate preparedness initiatives, and contributing to continuous improvement planning around lowering the county’s greenhouse gas emissions. All projects are vital components of ensuring King County equitably implements its strategic climate action plan.
We work at a fast pace and provide interns with the support needed to meet the demands of the position while allowing for significant professional development and peer/ mentor support. See our recruitment video made by the first Nextgen Climate cohort.
King County Executive Constantine proposed and Council adopted the creation of a new Executive Climate Office (ECO) to elevate the County’s commitment, coordination, and ability to deliver on climate action internally and in partnership with cities and regional partners.
Led by the ECO Director, the team provides leadership through programs and project professionals responsible for executing Executive Constantine’s priority to aggressively confront climate change.
King County has worked to express our intention around partnering with and supporting communities historically excluded from the environmental and climate change conversations. The ECO commits to prioritizing inclusion and justice for all people in our work with the aim of decreasing disparities in our organization and our communities.
Job Duties
- Lead an assigned individual project related to implementing a priority action associated with the SCAP by utilizing skills in project management, communications, and research.
- Regularly attend climate staff team meetings and NextGen Climate intern team meetings while positively and constructively contributing to the team’s work.
- Develop a portfolio detailing the results of the individual project and sharing formative skills building experiences during the internship.
- Attend regular professional development sessions and take an active role in shaping cohort and individual professional development opportunities.
- Assist with countywide strategic initiatives related to climate work as directed.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Excellent oral and written communications skills
- Knowledge of research methods
- Demonstrated basic quantitative skills.
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Skilled in gathering, manipulating, and using data utilizing computer software and applications.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to equity and social justice and uplifting community voices.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience building relationships and working collaboratively with/in limited English-speaking populations, immigrant/refugee communities, BIPOC communities, and culturally diverse communities.
- The Successful Candidate(s) will have the following competencies.
- Collaboration - Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains trust and support of others.
- Plans and Aligns - Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals. Breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions. Stages activities with relevant milestones and schedules. Anticipates and adjusts effective contingency plans.
- Customer Focus - Gains insight into customer needs. Identifies opportunities that benefit the customer. Builds and delivers solutions that meet customer expectations. Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships.
- Values Differences - Seeks to understand different perspectives and cultures. Contributes to a work climate where differences are valued and supported. Applies others' diverse experiences, styles, backgrounds, and perspectives to get results. Is sensitive to cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.
Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Telecommuting and King County’s Downtown Seattle Campus
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly by telecommuting, with occasional onsite work and meetings, as influenced by business needs. Employee will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a King County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Work Location
Primarily teleworking and the Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle WA 98104. There will be an expectation to travel to various worksites throughout King and South Snohomish County on a project-needs basis.
Work Schedule
This position is non-exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. This part-time position works a 20-hour work week, Monday through Friday.
Note this is a 12-month program and will require regular (though not daily) on-site presence at county offices and events. Selected interns must be able to meet those program requirements.
Union Representation
This position is not represented by a labor union.
Application Instructions
This position is open to students pursing an associates, bachelors, or graduate degree and currently enrolled and continuing into the fall of 2025 in full or part-time status at an accredited university/college. Proof of full or part-time enrollment status is required. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
Application and Selection Process
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
- King County application
- Resume
- Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position. Please let us know why public service and climate work is important to you and how becoming a NextGen intern contributes to your career goals.
- Responses to supplemental questions
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact seth.watson@kingcounty.gov.
To learn more about the King County Executive Office, select the link below
https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/elected/executive/constantine.aspx
Benefits
This position is not eligible for King County leave, holiday, insured, or other benefits. Please contact the recruiter on the posting for any additional questions regarding associated benefits.
Employer
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404
Website
NextGen Climate Interns - 2025 Supplemental Questionnaire
*QUESTION 1
I have submitted a complete online application. *Note: please do not use the notation "see resume". Such applications will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.
Yes
No
*QUESTION 2
I have attached a resume or cv.
Yes
No
*QUESTION 3
I have attached a cover letter detailing my background. Please let us know why public service and climate work is important to you and how becoming a NextGen intern contributes to your career goals.
Yes
No
*QUESTION 4
I am a currently enrolled student pursuing an associates, bachelors, or graduate degree and will be continuing my studies in the Fall of 2025.
Yes
No
*QUESTION 5
Note that we DO verify applicants have: 1. Fully completed the online application. 2. Attached a resume/cv. 3. Attached the requested letter of interest Applications not meeting these elements are considered incomplete and will not be further considered.
I understand my application must be complete.
* Required Question