Summer 2026 Energy Resources & Land Conservation 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.

NRDC is seeking a Summer 2026 Energy Resources & Land Conservation intern to work with the Nature, Land Conservation team associated with our Washington, D.C. office.

Responsibilities:

NRDC's Land Conservation team works to protect sensitive landscapes, endangered species habitat, communities, and natural resources from threats posed by unchecked industrial development. The team focuses on public lands in the United States, and prioritizes both fighting against expansive fossil fuel leasing and fighting for responsible renewable energy deployment. As part of this team, the Energy Resources & Land Conservation intern will support the team’s staff scientist in her analytical portfolio, spanning both fossil fuel and renewable energy issues. Specific projects will be determined by the team’s needs at the time of the internship, but may include efforts to: model and geospatially map cumulative impacts of recent fossil fuel leasing policy changes; evaluate land use implications and tradeoffs associated with clean energy critical minerals; create public-facing dashboards or user-friendly web-based analysis tools to expand the reach of prior climate, energy, and economic research.

• Conduct scientific and policy research necessary to support staff scientist and Land Conservation team with legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns to fight dirty energy and support responsible clean energy development.
• Participate in problem scoping and brainstorming discussions for incoming requests.

Compile, process, and analyze energy, climate, geospatial, and/or economic data. Produce data visualizations and translate results into accessible written products (e.g., emails, memos, reports, public comments) and presentations for project team. Attend meetings relevant to project work: e.g., team meetings, external coalition or partner calls, educational webinars, etc.

Cover multiple projects over internship term to help different members of the team working on a range of issues, as needed.

Qualifications:

Required Currently enrolled in a graduate program. Evidence of coursework in advanced mathematics (e.g., calculus, linear algebra, statistics and probability).

• Demonstrated interest in environmental and/or energy policy.

Comfort with standard productivity software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Preferred Pursuing a degree in science, engineering, or related technical field.

• Demonstrated research experience.

Coursework or research experience in climate science, energy systems, earth systems, sustainability, industrial ecology, and/or environmental economics.

Experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, such as ArcGIS.:

Advanced Excel and/or programming skills.

Education or extra-curricular experience engaging in environmental and/or energy policy.:

Strong organizational skills. Capable of self-direction. Open to close collaboration. 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 $10,000.00 that will be paid out 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.