Energy and Environment Internship
Reports to: Senior Fellow, Energy and Environment; Director, Domestic Climate and Energy Policy
Staff reporting to this position: None
Department: Energy and Environment
Position classification: Internship
Minimum compensation: $16.10 per hour
Summary
American Progress has two internship openings for Fall 2022 within its Energy and Environment department. The internship will be focused on either 1) the nexus between Indigenous communities, ocean conservation, and the America the Beautiful Initiative, or 2) moving toward a 100-percent clean economy through investment and regulation while benefiting workers and underserved communities.
The Energy and Environment department works collaboratively with decision-makers, academic and nonprofit colleagues, and activists to produce and communicate research and policy options that protect U.S. land, water, and air while advancing economic equity and opportunity for all.
This role will be driven by the American Progress’ mission “to improve the lives of all Americans, through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation, but changing the country.” The intern will be part of a dynamic department that supports work across American Progress’ five crosscutting priorities:
- Strengthening health and ending the pandemic
- Building an economy for all
- Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
- Advancing racial equity and justice
- Restoring social trust in democracy
Interns working with the Energy and Environment department will have the opportunity to complete substantive research, policy, and communications work across the department’s ocean conservation or domestic climate policy focus areas. Within this framework, interns will develop skills and gain experience that will position them to contribute effectively to the national conversation on climate change, renewable energy, environmental justice, ocean conservation, marine protected areas, and ocean justice.
Responsibilities:
Interns will contribute to the core work of the Energy and Environment department, completing day-to-day assignments in addition to more extensive research projects. Interns will work closely with one or more staff members who will help foster knowledge of policy areas and government operations. Tasks can be tailored to the intern’s skills and interests. Typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare event logistics for convenings and organize meetings with partners.
- Contribute to writing memos, blog posts, columns, event summaries, and reports.
- Carry out web-based research on issue areas.
- Compile and manipulate spreadsheet data using basic functions of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
- Draft rapid-response communications (no prior communications experience is necessary).
- Update fact sheets, talking points, and documents on topics of current pertinence.
- Track and develop content for social media and enhance the team’s social media presence.
- Help embody a culture of justice, equity, and inclusion by performing tasks with these values at their core.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Other duties may include conducting targeted research and reporting on policy meetings, seminars, hearings, and lectures. Whenever possible, interns are encouraged to write on a subject of their choice, either as a contributor to a larger piece or as the individual author of a column for the website.
Requirements and qualifications:
- Current pursuance or recent graduate of an associate, bachelors’, or master’s degree.
- Eagerness to learn the field of energy and environment, climate, and conservation policy, advocacy, and communications.
- Willingness to learn how environmental issues intersect with racism and economic and social inequality, and a passion for working to dismantle these systems.
- Commitment to treating all partners with courtesy and respecting those of different cultural backgrounds.
- Research, writing, and analytical skills including the ability to understand data displayed through graphs and charts.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to allocate time and balance projects in a team setting.
- Proficiency in written and oral communication.
- Ability to independently plan ahead and seek direction when needed.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Google Workspace.
- Ability to recognize problems and help identify creative solutions.
- Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals, including environmental and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Application requirements and details:
- Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample.
- Your cover letter may not exceed 500 words.
- In addition, please submit a written response to ONE of the following question sets (not to exceed 150 words):
- 1) In your own words, how do we ensure ocean conservation supports the priorities of Indigenous peoples? What skills, experience, and professional development do you hope to get out of an internship with American Progress?
- 2) How should climate policy be designed to also enhance workers’ rights and remedy environmental injustice? Which policy do you think is the most important for real change?
American Progress interns are paid at the Washington, D.C., minimum wage rate of $16.10 per hour. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Interns will receive paid time off for federal holidays. Interns are expected to be available to work from and commute to American Progress’ Washington, D.C., office at least two days per week. This position is not represented by a union.
We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the levels of community spread and adjust plans as needed for in-office work. Any changes to our current hybrid office work policy will be communicated at the time of hire. Updates will be posted on American Progress’ Jobs page.