EANY Helen Chapman Internship

January 2023 – May 2023

Term: Academic spring semester 

Commitment: 20 hours per week 

Compensation: $15/hour   

Who We Are: Environmental Advocates NY has over 50 years of experience in Albany monitoring all levels of state government, evaluating legislation, and fighting for policies that will benefit the climate, land, water and health of all communities in New York. We build political power through activating advocates, participating in coalitions, and drafting and supporting policies that reduce toxics and pollution in our communities and lead to cleaner air and water for New Yorkers.  

Internship Description: Our Helen Chapman Internship is a great opportunity for students seeking legislative experience, insights into New York State politics, and nonprofit environmental advocacy experience. The internship period is aligned with the New York State legislative session, which meets January through June (generally) and primarily focuses on the environmental agenda of the state Legislature and advancing our policy priorities. The intern will learn extensively about the legislative and state budget process, how advocacy and activism shape state policy, and be introduced to lobbying. Interns will have opportunities to review legislative proposals, draft advocacy memos on bills, and lobby State Senators and Assembly members on environmental issues. 

Interns will work across EANY’s policy team, which includes program areas of climate, water, or healthy communities. Our policy team covers a diverse range of issues from: climate action and justice, clean air and energy solutions, electrification of the transportation section, protecting water sources, addressing water quality and contamination issues, addressing issues of water access and justice, advancing solid waste and plastic pollution solutions and more. As a member of a policy team, interns will be intimately engaged in our various policy campaigns. Our interns will also learn key aspects of advocacy campaigning, including coalition building, base-building, community engagement, as well as grassroots advocacy tools. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with advocates from other organizations and engage in broader coalitions. 

Lastly, interns will engage with the Communications, Membership, and Development teams here at Environmental Advocates NY for full exposure to non-profit operations. 

The intern will be involved in a number of specific tasks, including but not limited to:   

  • reviewing weekly legislative committee agendas and participating in weekly bill memo meetings; 
  • assisting with bill memo distribution, as needed; 
  • researching, collecting data, and writing documents for various audiences, including fact sheets, talking points, bill memos; 
  • drafting communication and outreach materials for policy campaigns, such as action alerts; 
  • participating in lobby visits, lobby days, coalition meetings, and press events; 
  • participating in internal team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and discussions; and 
  • completing a self-guided project (the internship coordinator and policy mentor will work with the intern to develop a project scope and work plan).  

This internship is based in Albany. EANY staff are currently working a hybrid of in-person and remote schedules. To get the most out of the internship, it is preferable for interns to be available to work in person as much as possible.  

In addition, our organization strives to increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all elements of our work. Applicants are invited to read our statement on racial justice here to learn more about our JEDI commitments. 

Please submit resume and cover letter to Kate Kurea at [email protected]