Spring 2027 Policy & Legislation Internship – Washington, DC

Earthjustice; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Earthjustice’s Policy & Legislation (PAL) department invites undergraduates for a paid spring 2027 internship in Washington, DC. The hybrid role supports PAL with research, drafting materials, and coordinating outreach to Congress and agencies.

Expect to help prepare briefings, attend hearings, and assist with policy communications while gaining hands-on advocacy experience. The internship requires 15-20 hours per week for 10-12 weeks, with an hourly rate of $19.61.

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a college student in spring 2027 (junior or senior).
• Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of online research and MS Office programs.
• Able to work in a team and drive projects to completion.

Responsibilities

• Research and track issues relevant to PAL, including committees and hearings.
• Draft and disseminate information to various audiences (fact sheets, policy documents).
• Assist with events such as Congressional briefings and advocate fly-ins.

Skills

Strong writing

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Research skills

MS Office

Interest in environmental justice

Time management

Education

College sophomore or junior in spring 2027

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

Earthjustice’s Policy & Legislation (PAL) department is accepting applications for one part-time intern for spring 2027. We are seeking undergraduate students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. This is a paid position, and the successful candidate must work a hybrid schedule from our Washington, DC office.

PAL works to protect our courtroom victories from efforts to undo them in Congress and defend and strengthen the same environmental laws Earthjustice enforces in the courtroom. The intern will learn how a non-profit environmental organization weighs in on environmental policy at the federal level and gain considerable insight into congressional procedures, the policy process, environmental nonprofit lobbying and advocacy strategizing, coalition building, and associated communications and outreach.

What You’ll Do

• Research and track issues relevant to the needs of the PAL team and the intern’s interests, including by monitoring appropriate Senate and House Committees, taking notes at virtual and in-person Congressional hearings, coalition meetings, and department meetings, and following executive branch actions on issues of interest to PAL.
• Draft and disseminate information to various target audiences, such as making phone calls to Congressional and agency offices, drafting fact sheets and policy documents, sending out email blasts.
• Help with the preparation for events sponsored by PAL, such as Congressional briefings and advocate fly-ins to DC.

Please note that the above serves as a guideline and that other duties may be assigned as part of the job’s requirements.

What You’ll Bring

• Will be enrolled in a college/university program as a junior or senior during spring 2027.
• Possess excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills.
• Have working knowledge of online research and MS Office programs.
• Work effectively on a team and be able to drive projects to completion.
• Be willing and able to learn new skills and subject areas.
• Possess a strong interest in environmental and/or social justice issues, Congress, politics and the policymaking process.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
• Must commit to 15-20 hours/week for 10-12 weeks.

Compensation

Interns at Earthjustice receive an hourly rate that is considered taxable income. The spring 2027 hourly rate for undergraduate students is $19.61.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.