Land & Liberty Coalition Internship

Conservative Energy Network; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 22,730 - 32,373; Part time

Job summary

A mission-driven energy policy organization is seeking a dedicated intern to support their Land & Liberty Coalition®. The role offers hands-on experience in energy policy, focusing on clean energy initiatives. Responsibilities include researching stakeholder organizations and creating permitting guides. Ideal candidates are current students with a strong interest in public policy, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work remotely. This part-time position is based in Lansing, Michigan, and pays $20/hour.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in issue advocacy nonprofits, public affairs firms, political campaigns, or government preferred.
• Experience in conservative clean energy or environmental policy issues is a plus.
• Ability to work remotely with limited supervision.

Responsibilities

• Research and map organizations involved in clean energy permitting.
• Create and maintain a centralized database of stakeholders.
• Develop state-by-state permitting guides for project approvals.

Skills

Outstanding time management

Organizational skills

Collaborative nature

Problem-solving skills

Interest in learning new skills

Education

Current enrollment in public policy or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Title: Land & Liberty Coalition® Intern

CEN Status: Part Time (Paid)

Reports To: Deputy Director of Land & Liberty Coalition

Summary: Are you a student or early‑career professional looking to gain hands‑on experience in energy policy while contributing to a mission‑driven organization? The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) is seeking a dedicated and detail‑oriented Land & Liberty Coalition® (L&LC) Intern to support our efforts to champion secure, reliable, affordable, and clean American energy.

This is a part‑time position (10–35 hours/week) that provides a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful local energy policy work while learning from a team advancing conservative, market‑based solutions in the clean energy space. Position pays $20/hour.

Duties and Responsibilities: The following are essential functions of the position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Research and map the landscape of organizations involved in clean energy permitting and siting in priority states, including both opposition and supporter groups.
• Create and maintain a centralized database of key stakeholder organizations, including relevant background, geographic footprint, issue focus, and role in local or state permitting fights.
• Develop practical, easy‑to‑use state‑by‑state permitting guides that outline the step‑by‑step process for project approval in CEN focus states.
• Track how permitting authority functions at the state and local level, including which bodies make decisions, how public input is organized, and where projects are most vulnerable to delay or opposition.
• Standardize research and cataloging methods so information can be easily updated, shared, and used by staff across the organization.
• Monitor developments that affect permitting strategy, including regulatory changes, ordinance trends, and emerging organized opposition.
• Produce research summaries and internal reference materials to support L&LC’s strategic planning and field engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, or Specialized Training:

• Prior internship experience working for issue advocacy nonprofits, public affairs firms, political campaigns, or government is preferred, but not required.
• Experience working on conservative clean energy or environmental policy issues, or in the energy industry is a plus.
• Ability to work remotely with limited supervision.
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage and meet challenging deadlines and balance multiple programming priorities at once.
• Collaborative nature and adept problem‑solving skills.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, interest in learning new skills, and eagerness to implement innovative and impactful strategies that advance the collective goals of CEN and its state and local teams.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Computer Skills:

Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and Google Workspace is required. Experience with policy tracking and CRM tools a plus.

Education/Experience:

Current enrollment in or completion of some college coursework in public policy, political science, business administration, economics, environmental studies, communications, public relations, or a related field preferred. Relevant internship, volunteer, campus leadership, or part‑time experience in policy, legislative advocacy, public affairs, or a related area is a plus. Strong interest in energy policy and public affairs is encouraged. Military experience is a plus.

• Fast‑paced, dynamic work environment sometimes faced with high‑pressure deadlines.
• A supportive and collegial team that encourages creativity and initiative.
• Plenty of opportunities to grow and expand your skillset.
• While CEN headquarters is based in Lansing, Michigan, members of the team work remotely from various parts of the country. CEN welcomes applicants regardless of location and accommodates for telecommuting.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to prepare and deliver effective speeches and presentations on complex topics to diverse audiences including elected officials and public groups.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, an employee is required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 5 to 20‑pound boxes for events, as needed.