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.

NRDC is seeking multiple Science, Health, or Policy Interns with a strong interest in Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to work with science and policy experts from various NRDC programs. The interns will be associated with the Washington, DC office but will be working fully remotely.

Position Summary

The interns will work on one of the following projects:

Project A - Climate Science and Data Analysis, Indigenous Knowledge and Perspective

Use existing tools to evaluate the potential climate impacts and environmental justice impacts of the fossil fuel and petrochemical industry generally, and/or Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) specifically.

Project B - Policy Analysis, Indigenous Knowledge and Perspective

Develop data and communication materials to document concerns that have been raised by Tribes about the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), such as lack of transparency and community engagement. Contribute to the analysis of the Army Corps of Engineers review of environmental impacts of DAPL, integrating local Indigenous perspectives.

Project C - Health Science Advocacy, Indigenous Knowledge and Perspective

Develop data and communication materials for the public and decision-makers that convey local Indigenous concerns and priorities relevant to the fossil fuel and petrochemical industry generally, and/or Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) specifically. Document knowledge of local Elders, Tribal spokespeople, and Leaders, integrating data and experience to communicate Indigenous concerns and priorities relevant to the fossil fuel and petrochemical industry generally, and/or Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) specifically.

Students will be required to:

• Work independently with online-only guidance and oversight.
• Develop and complete a defined project(s) in an area of environmental science and/or policy and/or communication relevant to fossil fuel impacts for Indigenous communities.
• Exhibit proficiency in several of the following areas: project planning, needs assessment and data gathering, project implementation, applied research, project evaluation, policy analysis, data analysis, and communication of results.
• Demonstrate self-driven work, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and creativity in the development and execution of a project.
• The student will be required to complete 10 weeks of full-time work over the summer, with online-only supervision and guidance.
• The student’s output will include written materials and an oral presentation.

Required: 

• Commitment to NRDC's mission and values.
• Undergraduate or Graduate student currently enrolled in one of the following programs: science, environmental studies, policy, health to include nursing, or related studies.
• Ability to work remotely and independently with online-only guidance and oversight.

• Undergraduate or Graduate student currently enrolled in one of the following programs: science, environmental studies, policy, health to include nursing, or related studies.   

  Ability to work remotely, and independently with online-only guidance and oversight.

• Strong interest in gaining proficiency in several of the following areas: project planning; needs assessment and data gathering; project implementation; applied research; project evaluation; policy analysis; data analysis; communication of results; and, advocacy. 

Preferred:

• Students enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities, including institutions serving Indigenous student populations, and those serving geographically isolated or underserved populations.

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 under-represented 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 position is a paid internship with a stipend of $6,000 if the intern is an undergraduate student or $10,000 if the intern is a graduate student. The stipend will be paid bi-weekly over the course of 10 weeks.

The incumbent will not qualify as an employee, fellow, volunteer, or independent contractor of NRDC, nor will the incumbent be guaranteed employment at the end of the internship term.

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

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination. Those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions. NRDC treats all vaccination-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.