The World Resources Institute is currently accepting applications for an EarthTrends web development intern. We are looking for a highly motivated and innovative person to play a significant role in the continuing technical development and management of EarthTrends: Environmental Information. For a full description, please see WRI's joblist page or click "read more."

Web Development Internship – EarthTrends, World Resources Institute

Application closing date: January 24, 2007

Employment period: February 1, 2007 to May, 2007 (dates flexible) with the possibility of extension.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a highly motivated and innovative person to play a significant role in the continuing technical development and management of EarthTrends: Environmental Information (http://earthtrends.wri.org).

EarthTrends is a free on-line resource created by WRI that highlights the environmental, social, and economic trends that shape our world. More than 250,000 users access our site each month, and the information that is made available here has been cited in major news media, incorporated into school curricula, translated by international organizations, and utilized in briefings and strategy sessions at all levels of government. The successful applicant will initiate, design and implement improvements to the functionality and user interface of the EarthTrends website while maintaining the site's functional integrity.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Work independently and within a small team to plan and implement web site improvements. More specifically:

• Develop more elegant and intuitive user interfaces for the EarthTrends web site.
• Help to create more robust application frameworks using PHP, MySQL and object-oriented design strategies.
• Design, develop and implement new web site features, including user customization, and enhanced data manipulation and analysis tools for EarthTrends.
• Maintain existing site infrastructure and help to develop load monitoring and other systems tools in a Unix server environment.

Depending on their interests and abilities, the candidate may also have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing management and enhancement of EarthTrends' statistical and analytical content.

QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate should be an astute, highly organized individual with substantial experience in database-driven web development. Applicants should be in pursuit of a Bachelors or Masters degree or recent graduates with a basic understanding of international environmental issues and an understanding of the role that scientific information plays in formulating environmental policy. Specifically, we are looking for:

• Advanced knowledge of PHP, MySQL, AJAX, HTML.
• Prefer knowledge of JavaScript, CSS, OOP, Python, DHTML, XML.
• Experience with Unix server configuration and shell scripting a plus.
• An affinity for data and experience in using statistics and math to interpret data.
• Knowledge of global and international geography and environmental issues.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with both technical and non-technical members.

LOCATION

Washington, DC

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$10-$16 per hour, commensurate with experience. This can be a full- or part-time position.

ABOUT WRI

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical ways to protect the planet and improve people's lives. Our mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment for current and future generations.

• People and ecosystems. Reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services.
• Climate change. Protect the global climate system from further harm due to emissions of greenhouse gases and help humanity and the natural world adapt to unavoidable climate change.
• Markets and Enterprise. Harness markets and enterprise to expand economic opportunity and protect the environment.
• Access. Guarantee public access to information and decisions regarding natural resources and the environment.
• Institutional excellence. Support and enhance WRI's ability to achieve results.

In all of its policy research and work with institutions, WRI tries to build bridges between ideas and action, meshing the insights of scientific research, economic and institutional analyses, and practical experience with the need for open and participatory decision-making.

WRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is WRI's policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability. WRI only accepts resumes for current vacancies.

Qualified applicants only.

Candidates please send cover letter and curriculum vitae/resume to:

World Resources Institute
Attn: Thomas Damassa
10 G Street, NE (Suite 800)
Washington, DC 20002
fax: 202/729-7775
email: tdamassa@wri.org
Please, no phone calls.