Digital Communications Intern

Environmental Defense Fund; United States; Hybrid; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. seeks a Spring 2027 Intern in a hybrid Washington, DC-based program with remote options. You will craft social media content, refine video editing and design skills, and monitor digital trends to amplify EDF Action’s messages.

Reporting to the Senior Digital Communications Specialist, you’ll engage with Politics and Advocacy teams and help expand outreach across platforms while supporting EDF’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• Interest in public policy, environmental and energy issues, and/or digital media.
• Coursework in public policy or environmental studies recommended.
• Experience creating communications collateral and scheduling content.

Responsibilities

• Craft social media messaging around key issue areas with rapid response.
• Research Slack/Discord channels for outreach opportunities.
• Support collaboration with Congressional offices on campaigns.
• Develop static and video social media posts and captions for EDF Action.
• Promote inclusivity and EDF values across teams.

Skills

Public policy interest

Digital media

Video production

Written communication

Organization & multitasking

Education

Coursework in public policy or environmental studies

Tools

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe video tools / CapCut

Job description

EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Location

Hybrid out of our Washington, DC office with option to be U.S. Remote. Intern supervisor is in Washington, DC and many team members are in Washington, DC.

Term

Spring 2027

Hours

Part-time (20 hr/week)

Program/Department Overview

MarComm’s mission is to successfully showcase EDF’s bold, people centered climate solutions and our unique brand to the influential audiences that can help us achieve our Vision 2030 goals and dive a vital Earth, for everyone. The Politics and Advocacy team supports communications for Political Affairs, EDF Action, and Legal & Regulatory.

Overall Function

The intern would have opportunities to create social media content for publication, refining their video editing and graphic design skills while building a personal portfolio. The intern would assist in identifying and monitoring relevant trends in digital communications and parsing Congressional communications for opportunities to amplify EDF Action’s priority partners. They would also monitor Reddit forums for opportunities to amplify EDF’s messages and share our content in Facebook groups, Discords, and Slack communities as part of our digital organizing efforts. The intern will report to the Senior Digital Communications Specialist.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but are not limited to:

• Work with the Politics and Advocacy Communications team to craft social media messaging around key issue areas, with emphasis on rapid response.
• Research Slack communities and Discord channels in the environmental, political, and cultural spheres whose purposes align with the mission of EDF Action’s social media pages, with opportunities to conduct outreach.
• Support collaboration with Congressional offices on communications campaigns.
• Contribute to developing static and video social media posts and captions for EDF Action’s platforms.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in public policy, strategic communications, environmental and energy issues, and/or digital media.
• Coursework in public policy or environmental and sustainability studies recommended.
• Experience in scheduling and creating communications collateral.
• Experience using Canva and/or Adobe Illustrator.
• Basic proficiency in video production (Adobe or CapCut preferred), social media management, and trend reporting or media monitoring.
• Experience with digital organizing a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• 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 all cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18/hour or the local minimum wage if it exceeds $18/hour.

Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships