Summer 2026 E2 Diversity in Clean Energy Advocacy Intern

Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

As a program of NRDC, E2 is the business voice for the environment. E2 is a national, nonpartisan group of business owners, investors and others who advocate for policies that are good for the environment and good for the economy. E2’s 12,000+ members and supporters, organized into eight chapters across the country, have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies; created more than 600,000 jobs and control more than $100 billion in private equity and venture capital. E2 is a part of NRDC’s Center for Campaigns and Organizing.

NRDC is seeking an undergraduate summer advocacy intern to work with the E2 team in Chicago, San Francisco, New York, or Washington, D.C. As part of E2’s focus on promoting and increasing diversity in the clean energy industry, we encourage all to apply, especially those candidates from diverse backgrounds that are often underrepresented in the clean energy sector. Please submit a recent writing sample along with your resume and cover letter.

Responsibilities

E2’s advocacy intern will work with E2 staff from across the country to develop, support, and execute initiatives to advance current clean economy initiatives and state and federal policies. They will also help expand and amplify diverse business voices within E2 chapters and other targeted regions in support of these efforts. This is a full-time, paid internship that will run for 10 weeks from June through August 2026. The intern will also receive a one-year membership in E2’s Emerging Leaders program, which comes with the full benefits of E2 membership, including educational programming, networking, advocacy, and other opportunities.

• Work with E2’s advocates on research, writing, and developing materials for state and federal campaigns.
• Write public-facing communication pieces amplifying positive stories of diverse clean energy businesses and emerging technologies.
• Support advocacy and regional communications efforts, membership recruitment and engagement, and events development and execution.
• Complete a Capstone project under the guidance of your supervisor.
• Support E2’s internal diversity, equity, and inclusion plan.
• Participate in regular E2 staff calls.

Qualifications

Required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with the capability to handle multiple tasks, work well under pressure, and be detail-oriented;
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team;
• Strong interest in environmental protection/conservation, advocacy, and enthusiasm for NRDC and E2’s mission;
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

Preferred

• Current Junior and Senior Undergrads enrolled in an accredited university/college program.
• Experience working with an organization in an organizing or advocacy capacity.

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

This position is: a paid internship with a stipend equivalent to $6,600.00 annually paid bi-weekly over the course of the assignment.

The incumbent will not qualify as an employee, fellow, volunteer, or independent contractor of NRDC, nor will the incumbent be guaranteed employment at the end of the internship term.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come into the office 8 days per month.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination. Those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions. NRDC treats all vaccination-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.