The Environmental Law & Policy Center offers several policy internships for undergraduate and graduate students. Policy interns will assist ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocates, Policy Advocates, and Data Scientist.

These internships will be based at ELPC’s headquarters in Chicago, IL.

Policy interns will have the opportunity to work on projects that include clean energy across the Midwest, promotion of environmentally sustainable transportation policies and projects, preservation of our natural resources and protect our national forests, advancing global warming solutions, grass roots advocacy, and other special projects. Interns may also be invited to attend meetings with local, state and federal agencies, elected officials, and concerned citizens.

A summer at ELPC will give students broad-based experience working in the Midwest on energy and transportation policy, air and water quality, and protection of special places.

About ELPC:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

Responsibilities & Opportunities for Learning:

Interns will be part of one or more of the following projects, based on their background, skills and interests:

• Climate Cities: Help assess and develop meaningful connections and partnerships to advance existing, ambitious climate commitments made by Midwest cities. (This project in particular requires strong writing, relationship development and public speaking skills.)
• Wilderness Protection: Help coordinate grassroots efforts towards Wilderness designation for a collection of unique Michigan areas
• Electric School buses: Contribute to ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption of zero emission vehicles across the Midwest
• Solar energy: Track solar project development under new Illinois solar programs

Qualifications:

Must be currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate college and possess good writing and public speaking skills, coupled with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to public interest and environmental advocacy. Community building/grassroots advocacy skills are a plus.

Special Requirements:

Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required during events like our 30th anniversary gala in May 2024.

Hours and Pay:

ELPC encourages students to seek outside funding and fellowships.

This is a paid internship of $15.80/hour including any outside funding/fellowship obtained by the student), requiring a minimum of 15 hours per week during the Fall and Spring. Summer internships are typically 37.5 hours/week though part time summer internships may also be considered.

Application Process:

Please include a cover letter and resume and apply online by the deadline below. You may be asked to provide references if you are selected for an interview.

The deadline to apply is March 15, 2024.

ELPC’s EEO Statement:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides consideration for an employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply online due to a disability, please email us at [email protected] with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in, and we will be happy to assist you.