Overview
Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.
We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.
Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?
Responsibilities
Program/Department Overview
EDF’s Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds Initiative works with diverse partners to achieve a vision where communities and ecosystems along coasts and rivers thrive with water, and are safe, equitable and prosperous places to live, work and play. The Initiative is part of EDF’s People and Nature Impact Area, which focuses on delivering food, water and climate benefits for a healthy planet.
Overall Function
The Wetlands Protection Intern will support one or more aspects of EDF’s work related to defending and strengthening wetland protections at state and federal levels in response to the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of Sackett v. EPA. This case drastically narrowed the scope of wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act by revising the Waters of the U.S. definition, leaving the majority of wetland regulation to the states, many of which do not have sufficient capacity or regulatory programs in place. The intern will report to the Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds and will support EDF’s strategy to advance protections for wetlands at state and federal levels through an emphasis on their flood risk benefits. The intern’s work may include conducting and synthesizing environmental science and policy research, convening and facilitating experts to support our overall strategy development, and supporting the development of communications or public-facing materials.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks may include but are not limited to the following. The particular focus area(s) of the intern will depend on a match between needs and the intern’s individual expertise and interest:
- Support the convening of a diverse range of experts and partners to explore new policy approaches to protection through a focus on flood risk benefits at federal and state levels, with likely a particular focus on North Carolina. This may include meeting administration, assistance with facilitation, and synthesis of materials before and after workshops.
- Conduct literature reviews on policies, benefits valuation, and other supporting work to scope the case for wetlands protection from a flood risk reduction perspective. Assistance with original research and GIS analysis may be a possibility depending on experience and research timelines.
- Assist with strategy, communications, and publication development to position research and compelling arguments for wetlands protection in the public sphere.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in/recent graduate of an undergraduate or graduate degree program with coursework and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: climate change impacts and adaptation, coastal and/or flood policy, flood insurance programs, economics, social science, hydrology, environmental science, planning, design, and/or engineering.
- Demonstrated experience researching and synthesizing information from a diverse set of information sources and effectively communicating findings.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Experience organizing and facilitating group meetings a plus
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
Location
Hybrid out of New York (NY), Raleigh (NC), or U.S. Remote.
Term
Spring 2024 (January – May)
Hours
Part-time (15-20 hr/week) or Full-time (35 hr/week)
Compensation
This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $17-20/hr depending on education level.
Application Materials
Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.
Pay Ranges
We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.
The pay range for this role is shown below.
Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.
Minimum Salary
USD $17.00/Hr.
Maximum Salary
USD $20.00/Hr.
EEO Information
Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
