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  • Summer 2025 Diversity in Clean Energy Internship-Advocacy, NRDC (hybrid in Chicago, IL)

    Jan 3, 2025 4:15 pm by Susan HelminkInternships

    Position Website with Application Information

    Overview

    NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C. 

    As a partner of NRDC, E2 is the business voice for the environment. E2 is a national, nonpartisan group of business owners, investors and others who advocate for policies that are good for the environment and good for the economy. E2’s 10,000+ members and supporters, organized in nine chapters stretching from New England to San Diego, have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies; created more than 600,000 jobs and control more than $100 billion in private equity and venture capital. E2 is a part of NRDC’s Center for Campaigns and Organizing. 

    Position Summary: 

    NRDC is seeking a summer advocacy intern to work with the E2 team. Strong preference for candidates who live in or near cities where NRDC offices are located (NYC, Chicago, Washington D.C) so that they can work in offices 8 days per month.

    The intern will work with E2 staff from across the country to develop, execute and support initiatives to advance current clean economy initiatives and policies. They will also help expand and amplify diverse business voices in support of these efforts. This is a full-time, paid internship that will run for 10 weeks from June through August 2025. 

    The intern will also receive a one-year membership in E2’s Emerging Leaders program, which comes with the full benefits of E2 membership, including educational programming, networking, advocacy and other opportunities. 

    As part of E2’s focus on promoting and increasing diversity in the clean energy industry, we encourage all to apply, especially those candidates from diverse backgrounds that are often underrepresented in the clean energy sector. 

    Please submit a recent writing sample along with your resume and cover letter

    Responsibilities

    • Work with E2’s advocates on research, writing and developing material for state and federal campaigns.
    • Write public facing communication pieces amplifying positive stories of diverse clean energy businesses and emerging technologies.
    • Analyze various engagement metrics and develop an internal presentation with recommendations.
    • Supporting advocacy and regional communications efforts, membership recruitment and events development.
    • Participate in E2 regular staff calls.
    • Support E2’s internal diversity, equity and inclusion plan.

    Qualifications

    Required: 

    Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values.

    • Excellent written and verbal communications skills;
    • Ability to work a fast-paced environment with the capability to handle multiple tasks, work well under pressure and be detail-oriented;
    • Ability to work independently as well as with a team. Ability to work remotely;
    • Strong interest in environmental protection/conservation, advocacy and enthusiasm for NRDC and E2’s mission;
    • Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint);

    Preferred

    • Current Junior and Senior Undergrads enrolled in an accredited university/college program.
    • Some preference is given to candidates that reside in the cities identified above.

    NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically underrepresented in the environmental movement.  

    We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.   

    This is paid internship of $6,600 stipend over 10-week program. 

    Our offices are open and we are operating in a hybrid model. We offer NRDCers flexibility, and we ask them to come into the office and spend meaningful time there in collaboration with their colleagues. We call this purposeful presence. 

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