Summer 2027 Chief Program Office Intern

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 283,000 - 354,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Hybrid work

Career exposure

Job summary

NRDC's Chief Program Office seeks two undergraduate interns to support ongoing projects and priorities for our programmatic teams in Washington, DC, onsite 3 days per week.

Interns will gain exposure to executive leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the coordination of high-impact initiatives across NRDC’s program areas while contributing to planning, research, and briefing materials for senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.
• Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates (May 2027) are eligible to apply.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Project management and/or problem solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to NRDC’s values.

Responsibilities

• Support ongoing NRDC program projects and priorities in the Chief Program Office.
• Assist with planning and execution of major institutional events and briefing materials.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to improve processes and coordination.

Skills

Strong written and verbal

Independent and collaborative

Project management

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Commitment to NRDC mission and DEI

Education

Undergraduate student

Eligible May 2027 grads

Job description

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health acrossAsia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org.

Our interns play an active role on the front lines of the environmental movement. Over the course of an internship, NRDC interns work with lawyers, scientists, or policy analysts in different program areas and amass experience that they could not have obtained anywhere else. Interns also have access to various events to enhance their NRDC experience.

NRDC interns may support or work on:

• Research, data collection, and analysis
• Writing and developing materials for state and federal campaigns
• Supporting with designing equitable policy solutions
• Copywriting and editing social media posts and supporting on marketing campaigns
• Brainstorming opportunities for process improvements, new vendors, partnerships, and engagement
• Project management of department and team-wide initiatives

You can find examples of work by our interns on our Careers Page.

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY

NRDC's Chief Program Office are seeking two undergraduate interns to support ongoing projects and priorities for our programmatic teams. These interns will report into the Senior Executive Associate to the Chief Program Officer. This opportunity is based out of our Washington, DC office and interns are expected to be onsite 3 days per week.

The Chief Program Office (CPO) interns will have the opportunity to support a diverse portfolio of strategic, programmatic, and operational initiatives that advance NRDC’s mission and institutional priorities. Working closely with the CPO team, interns will gain exposure to executive leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the coordination of high-impact initiatives across NRDC’s program areas.

Key projects may include supporting the planning and execution of major institutional events such as Climate Week NYC, conducting research and preparing briefing materials for senior leadership, assisting with strategic planning and special projects, and developing resources that strengthen collaboration and operational efficiency across program teams.

CPO interns will also have opportunities to engage with senior leadership, participate in cross-departmental meetings, and contribute to projects that connect NRDC’s advocacy priorities with broader organizational goals. Key deliverables may include research summaries, executive briefing materials, event planning resources, project trackers, and recommendations to improve internal processes and programmatic coordination.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
• Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates (May 2027) are eligible to apply
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work independently and collaboratively, within a team
• Project management and/or problem solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

DETAILS

• Duration: 10-weeks | Commitment: 35 hours/week
• Summer Session 1: Monday May 24, 2027 – Friday July 30, 2027
• Summer Session 2: Monday June 7, 2027 – Friday August 13, 2027
• Summer Session 3: Monday June 21, 2027 – Friday August 27, 2027
• Hybrid Work Model: Summer Interns are expected to be in office 3 days/week. We will not be able to offer relocation assistance for the summer.
• Stipend: This is a paid internship with a stipend equivalent of $7,000.00 paid bi-weekly over the course of the assignment.