Organization Overview:
Formed in 2002, Illinois Green Alliance’s mission is to foster transformative sustainability in our communities by educating building professionals, advocating for green building policies, and removing barriers to net zero. We believe that to combat climate change in Illinois, it’s time we made net zero buildings feasible, affordable, and commonplace—so that every building in the state is net zero by 2050. Illinois Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with more than 600 members and work areas divided among education, policy and advocacy, and community initiatives.
 
Internship Overview:
This internship will provide you with real-world, hands-on experience in a mission-based nonprofit organization with a staff of dedicated professionals working at the forefront of sustainability. We are looking for an intern interested in visual storytelling to design case studies, articles, and email and social media communications, as well as to write blog posts and social media content. 
 
Primary Responsibilities:

• Design graphic elements in Adobe Illustrator for events and initiatives to promote on Illinois Green’s website, social media, and email communications.

• Write articles for Illinois Green’s blog — including pieces on net zero building practices, human interest stories, and those to promote Illinois Green’s work. 

• Use Adobe InDesign to lay out and design case studies, playbooks, and other online educational resources. 

• Prepare social media content to promote Illinois Green’s project, the Building Energy Resource Hub. 

• Work with the Communications Manager to update Illinois Green Alliance and Building Energy Resource Hug branding and graphic materials.

• Support additional day-to-day communications and website management activities. 

Qualifications/ Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people 

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision 

• Commitment to advancing sustainability and environmental justice 

• Strong graphic design skills 

• Strong attention to detail 

• Knowledge of graphic design software or principles preferred, including Adobe InDesng and Illustrator as well as Canva.

• Experience or interest in learning WordPress, Duda, or other website content management system preferred 

• Experience or interest in writing articles, blog posts, or similar content preferred 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Develop and improve the student’s employer-valued skills such as time management, leadership, and written and oral communication. 

1. Gain real world experience in graphic design, communications, and marketing. 

1. Create published materials to be used in future portfolios or applications. 

1. Broaden network of professional contacts and expand knowledge of the green building industry.

Location: Remote, with potential to attend office in-person dependent on schedule. Illinois Green Alliance is located at 180 N. LaSalle in Chicago and uses a hybrid work schedule. All employees are required to be vaccinated to attend in-person meetings and events. Local candidates preferred. 
 
Education: Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred. 

Compensation: This internship is paid at $15.00 per hour. This internship is intended to be 8-12 hours per week for 10 - 15 weeks, start and end dates are flexible.