Fall 2011 Communications and Research Internship

NRDC is a leading nonprofit membership organization that has been marshaling science and the law to protect the environment and public health since 1970. Our more than 1.3 million members and activists reside in each of the United States and in the District of Columbia. NRDC employs over 350 scientists, lawyers, economists, media specialists, policy analysts, and administrators in its six offices, including a new office in China. Within each of the organization’s program areas – air, water, coastal, oceans, public health, climate change, energy, public land, smart growth, international, urban, environmental justice, and nuclear non-proliferation – NRDC’s experts pursue cutting-edge litigation, sophisticated lobbying, hard-hitting scientific research, and broad-reaching public education and media outreach. For over 40 years, NRDC has played a central role in crafting, implementing, enforcing, and defending virtually all of the nation’s environmental laws. 

Fall Internship Opportunity

The intern would be responsible for:

• Tracking and assessing media coverage on federal efficiency standards and other related issues as determined by NRDC staff in national and state media markets; producing a weekly tracking report that assesses traction in the press, positive versus negative coverage, and other metrics;
•  Identifying pieces for rapid response on a daily basis by communications and policy staff; and,
• As needed, helping to craft earned media and social media responses (i.e. letters to the editor, op-eds, blogs, etc) and content for NRDC and its other allies in the manufacturing, labor, and consumer advocate communities.  Other activities could include research on energy efficient lighting and appliance manufacturing in key target states. 

Interns should expect to devote a minimum of 10 to 15 hours per week over the course of the semester.  Academic credit can be arranged.

NRDC will consider both undergraduate and graduate students in journalism, communications, and other relevant fields of study (i.e., political science) for this internship.  Applicants must have strong writing and research skills and should have experience using databases such as Nexis and/or Westlaw. 

How to Apply

To apply please submit:

1. A letter
2. A resume
3. A short writing sample (2-3 pages)