Summer 2026 Policy & Legislation Internship – Washington, DC
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 seeking a summer 2026 intern. We are seeking undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in fall 2026 and who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. 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.
Earthjustice’s Policy & Legislation (“PAL”) department is seeking a summer 2026 intern. We are seeking undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in fall 2026 and who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. 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.
The PAL summer 2026 intern is expected to work full-time (37.5 hours/week) for 10-12 weeks and on a hybrid schedule from our Washington, DC office.
What You’ll Do
Under the supervision of a Legislative Assistant:
- 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 fall 2026.
- 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.
Physical Requirements:
This role may require the ability to:
- Sit for extended periods with occasional standing and walking
- Navigate around Capitol Hill
- Type, file, and/or handle office equipment
- Lift and carry materials
- Read documents, conduct computer work and document review
Compensation:
Interns at Earthjustice receive an hourly rate that is considered taxable income. The summer 2026 hourly rate for undergraduate students is $19.18.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials by 5:00pm PT on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning February 19 and offers extended no later than March 27.
- Resume.
- One-page cover letter that addresses: (1) Why you want to work with Earthjustice’s PAL team, (2) Confirmation that you can work from the Washington, DC office, (3) Confirmation that you can work 37.5 hours/week for 10-12 weeks, and (4) An indication of any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your ability to accept an offer.
- Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): (1) Proof of enrollment in your academic program (e.g., verification from your registrar’s office, unofficial transcript), and (2) 1-2 page writing sample. The writing sample can be a policy memo, a research paper or proposal, or any other piece that can display your ability to write on environmental, equity and/or policy topics.
- Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references.
Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.
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, 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.