Healthy Communities Communications Intern

Environmental Defense Fund; United States; Remote; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

EDF Health seeks a motivated intern to draft digital content for Healthy Communities channels, including Instagram, newsletters, blogs, and social campaigns. You’ll gain hands-on experience translating environmental health and climate policy into accessible stories and visuals.

You will work under the Communications Manager, Global Clean Air, with supervision from a California-based team and collaboration across Washington, DC, and beyond.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or recent graduate of marketing, communications, journalism, environmental science, international affairs or related field.
• Interest or working knowledge of public policy, public health and advocacy, particularly air quality, chemicals, or climate change policy.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to translate technical content into stories for blogs/newsletters/social media.
• Knowledge of social media and campaigns on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
• Experience with reels and short-form video content recommended.
• Experience with Wordpress preferred.
• Well-organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.
• Experience with Canva and basic video/photo editing; eager to learn new software.
• Excellent research skills.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Team player and independent when needed.

Responsibilities

• Draft content for social media, newsletters, blogs, collateral materials, and reports from published program deliverables.
• Audit Sprout Social analytics and audience profiles.
• Update media lists to reflect current media landscape.
• Monitor traditional and non-traditional media outlets for coverage and opportunities.
• Assist with basic photo editing, video review and collateral design.
• Support Healthy Communities communications goals and culture initiatives.

Skills

Social media

Content writing

Public policy awareness

Communication skills

Organization

Education

Marketing/Communications/Journaling/Environmental science degree

Tools

Wordpress

Canva

Sprout Social

Google Workspace

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter/X

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

U.S. Remote with option to be hybrid out of an EDF office in San Francisco or Washington, DC. Intern supervisor is in California and many team members are in Washington, DC.

Term

Spring 2027

Hours

Part-time (20hrs/week) or Full-time (35hr/week)

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.

Program/Department Overview

No one should get sick from the air they breathe, the water they drink or the food they eat, but many people are exposed to toxic air pollution and unsafe chemicals every day. A warming climate is multiplying these threats — hurricanes, flooding and heat waves are increasingly devastating the communities living closest to polluters. EDF’s Healthy Communities department works with communities, scientists and policymakers to support people’s health, wherever they live. We push for strong laws to keep toxic chemicals out of food and drinking water, and work around the world to analyze and translate the data decision makers need to pinpoint air pollution hotspots and hold polluters accountable.

Overall Function

The intern will draft marketing and communications materials for EDF Health, specifically through Healthy Communities communications channels including but not limited to: Instagram and Twitter/X handles (@edf_health) and the EDF Health monthly newsletter. The intern will assist with media outreach tasks and research to ensure EDF’s Healthy Communities communications are reaching and resonating with relevant audiences. They will develop skills in translating complex environmental health, chemicals, and clean air policy issues into clear, compelling content for public audiences. They will also gain hands-on experience creating digital communications products, including social media content, newsletter copy, blog posts, and campaign messaging. The intern will report to the Communications Manager, Global Clean Air.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft content for social media, newsletters, blogs, collateral materials, reports and other materials from published program deliverables and approved outlines.
• Audit EDF Health’s Sprout Social analytics and audience profiles to inform best practices.
• Update media lists to ensure outreach is up-to-date and reflective of the current media landscape.
• Monitor traditional and non-traditional media outlets for reporting, coverage and opportunities.
• Assist with basic photo editing, video review and collateral design.
• 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

• Enrolled in or recent graduate of a degree program with a focus on marketing, communications, journalism, environmental science, international affairs or development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in or working knowledge of public policy, public health and advocacy, particularly air quality, chemicals, or climate change policy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially turning technical pieces of writing or analysis into stories for blogs, newsletters and social media.
• Knowledge of social media and creative social media campaigns and content development, especially on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
• Experience with reels and other short-form video content recommended.
• Experience with basic website management (especially on Wordpress) preferred.
• Must be well-organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace.
• Experience with Canva as well as basic video and photo editing skills and desire to learn new software.
• Excellent research skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and 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 Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18-20/hour.

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