Data Visualization Design Intern
Summary
A paid hourly internship in CSIS's iDeas Lab in Washington, D.C., turning datasets into charts, graphs, and infographics for the think tank's publications. Day-to-day work centers on Flourish, Datawrapper, Adobe Illustrator, and tabular data, collaborating with designers and policy researchers.
JOB SUMMARY
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.
The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, the award-winning creative and digital production department at CSIS, continues to be the gold standard for innovation in the global think tank space by using cutting-edge multimedia production to bring policy research to life.
The iDeas Lab enhances CSIS's policy research and analysis with the latest in web development, design, video, and audio. You can see some of our work at ideaslab.csis.org or .
The data visualization intern will translate datasets into graphs, charts, and other data visualizations to be featured in CSIS’s premiere product – our publications. The core of this position is to process data and quickly produce relevant data visualizations. You will work in a creative environment with other designers who are eager to bring information to life on the web and across platforms, partnering with some of the most respected foreign policy experts and researchers.
The ideal candidate has solid design background and communication skills. They also bring a passion for bridging the intersection between data, design, technology, and foreign policy/national security.
The successful candidate will be eager to improve their skills and contribute to CSIS’s vision of telling fact-based public policy stories. The candidate will have strong problem-solving skills and independent self-direction, coupled with an aptitude for design and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. Additionally, the candidate will be a team player, possess outstanding communication and project management skills, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and innovative environment while meeting tight deadlines.
The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience ($18.40/hour for current undergraduate hires, $19.40/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree, and $20.40/hour for hires with a master’s degree).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Design data visualizations using Flourish and Datawrapper. Create infographics.
- Help researchers, analysts, and non-technical partners to effectively communicate their findings using data.
- Work closely with iDeas Lab designers to merge data visualizations with the layout of publications.
- Support the team to gather feedback from clients and partners to continually improve the products and tools we create.
- Support the design, layout, and illustration of communication materials for print and digital platforms, including reports and presentations.
Knowledge, Education, and Experience
- B.A./B.S./A.B. in relevant field (information design, data visualization, computer science, graphic design) or other relevant experience, including bootcamp training or freelance work.
- 1+ years of experience in data visualization design.
- Solid understanding of data visualization design best practices and general design principles.
- Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, SVG files, and HTML syntax.
- Ability to handle tabular data, format CSV files (Excel), and perform basic spreadsheet calculations.
- Experience in receiving feedback gracefully, knowing how to respond appropriately to client concerns and how to iterate and improve designs based on feedback.
- Strong interest in global affairs and public policy.
SOME TECHNOLOGIES WE USE IN THE iDEAS LAB
- Flourish and Datawrapper
- Adobe C Suite, JS libraries and frameworks like React, Vue, Highcharts, D3, and jQuery
- Mapping tools like QGIS, Mapbox, Leaflet and Carto
- Typefi
You don’t need to be proficient in all of these, but familiarity with some is a plus and a willingness to learn is key.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills
As published by greenhouse · 37 questions · 2 written answers
Basics
First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Location
Short answers (25)
- Preferred First Name optional
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- Date available to begin work
- Reference 1- Name
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- Have you ever been employed with our organization?
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- Conditions of Application and Employment: I understand that any false statements in this application may be cause for rejection or termination of my employment with Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS). I also grant permission to Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) to investigate my former employment and references, to my former employers and references to release information about me to Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS). In consideration of my potential employment with Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS), I absolve Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS), former employers, and references from any liability with respect to providing information about me, including my employment and attendance records and reasons for termination. I understand that neither this document nor any offer of employment from the employer constitutes an employment contract, unless a specific document to that effect is executed by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) and myself in writing.
- Pre-employment Authorization and Consent for Release of Personal Information: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (""the Company"") may obtain information about you from a consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. Thus, you may be the subject of a ""consumer report"" and/or an ""investigative consumer report"" which may include information about your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and/or mode of living and which can involve personal interviews with sources such as your neighbors, friends, or associates. These reports may contain information regarding your credit history, criminal history, social security verification, motor vehicle records (""driving records""), verification of your education or employment history, or other background checks. You have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable time after receipt of this notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report. Please be advised that the nature and scope of the most common form of investigative consumer report obtained with regard to applicants for employment is an investigation into your education and/or employment history conducted by CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Ave, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-0200 or another outside organization. The scope of this notice and authorization is all-encompassing, however, allowing the Company to obtain from any outside organization all manner of consumer reports and investigative consumer reports now and throughout the course of your employment to the extent permitted by law. As a result, you should carefully consider whether to exercise your right to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report. New York applicants or employees only: You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of any investigative consumer report requested by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) by contacting the consumer reporting agency identified above directly. Acknowledgement and Authorization I acknowledge receipt of the NOTICE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION and A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT and certify that I have read and understand both of those documents. I hereby authorize the obtaining of ""consumer reports"" and/or ""investigative consumer reports"" by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) at any time after receipt of this authorization and throughout my employment, if applicable. To this end, I hereby authorize, without reservation, any law enforcement agency, administrator, state or federal agency, institution, school or university (public or private), information service bureau, employer, or insurance company to furnish any and all background information requested by CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-0200, another outside organization acting on behalf of Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS), and/or Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) itself. I agree that a facsimile (""fax""), electronic or photographic copy of this Authorization shall be as valid as the original. Minnesota and Oklahoma applicants or employees only: Please check this box if you would like to receive a copy of a consumer report if one is obtained by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS). [ ] California applicants or employees only: By signing below, you also acknowledge receipt of the NOTICE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA LAW. Please check this box if you would like to receive a copy of an investigative consumer report or consumer credit report at no charge if one is obtained by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) whenever you have a right to receive such a copy under California law.
Written answers (2)
- Professional licenses/certifications
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