The Environmental Law & Policy Center offers several policy and science internships for undergraduate and graduate students. Environmental Policy and Science Internships are available throughout the year and are open to undergraduate and graduate students
studying politics/government, environmental sciences, business/economics or related fields. Applicants should have a strong academic record, excellent writing and analytical skills, and a demonstrated interest in and commitment to public interest and environmental advocacy.
Policy and Science Interns assist ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocates, Policy Associates, Communications Staff and Economists/Financial Analysts with a variety of tasks, including: work on clean energy projects across the Midwest and Great Plains, clean energy business development, promoting environmentally sustainable transportation policies and projects, preserving our natural resources and protecting our national forests, advancing global warming solutions, grass roots advocacy work, and special projects. Interns may also attend meetings with state and federal agencies, legislators, and concerned citizens.
ELPC’s Policy Team seeks interns interested in being part of one or more of the following projects:
• Air Quality: Participate in the air quality monitoring season by collecting data in and around Chicago’s environmental justice neighborhoods, pollution hot spots, and vulnerable population sites. Our primary focus areas are: Back of the Yards, Bridgeport, Hyde Park, Little Village, McKinley Park, Pilsen, and SE Side. Work may also include travel to: Austin, Auburn Gresham, and CPS schools near I-90. Interns may also conduct research on topics such as: monitor technology and techniques; city/state efforts to combat air pollution; local air quality situations; vegetative buffer partnership possibilities; new equipment and vehicle options to reduce diesel pollution.
• Climate Cities: Help cities in the Midwest advance ambitious goals related to green energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles. Strong writing, speaking, and organizational skills required.
• Wilderness Protection: Federal Wilderness Designation: Help organize grassroots efforts towards the federal Wilderness designation of multiple unique and special areas in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
• Electric School buses: Contribute to ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption of zero emission vehicles.
• Solar energy: Track solar project development under new Illinois solar programs.
• Supply Chain: help locate and collect information on renewable energy related companies in IL for report to be issued fall 2021.
Job tasks include: researching energy and environmental topics; preparing memos, summaries, and annotated bibliographies; researching organizations, companies, and individuals in key regions; researching and tracking events; reviewing reports and preparing summary memos; updating and managing Access databases; performing analysis of grant data for use by Congressional offices and others; and assisting with website content and writing.
This is an unpaid, volunteer position requiring a minimum of 15 hours per week during the Fall and Spring. ELPC encourages students to seek outside funding and fellowships.