Helen Chapman Internship 

January 2027– May 2027
 
Term: Academic spring semester, with potential to extend through mid-June  
Commitment: 20 hours per week  
Compensation: $20/hour   

Who we are: Environmental Advocates NY has more than 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:  The Helen Chapman Internship is an excellent 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 receive an introduction to lobbying. Interns will have opportunities to review legislative proposals, draft advocacy memos on bills, and lobby State Senators and Assemblymembers on environmental issues.  

Interns will work across EANY’s policy portfolio, which includes program areas of climate, water, agriculture and land use, and healthy communities. Within those program areas, we advocate on a diverse range of issues, including climate action and justice, clean air and energy solutions, protecting source water, addressing water quality and contamination issues, supporting healthy agricultural practices, and advancing solid waste solutions. As a member of the policy team, EANY interns are fully engaged in our policy campaigns. 

This internship is based in Albany, New York and interns will work alongside our staff in a hybrid work schedule; we’re in the office Monday – Wednesday and remote Thursday and Friday. Preference will be given to applicants who can be on-site during the front half of the week.   

Our interns:   

Learn and participate in key aspects of advocacy campaigning, including coalition building, direct and grassroots lobbying, base-building, community engagement, as well as grassroots advocacy tools.
Collaborate with advocates from other organizations and engage in broader coalitions. 
Engage with the Communications, Membership, and Development teams here at Environmental Advocates NY to gain a strong understanding of non-profit operations.  

Interns will be involved in various tasks, including but not limited to:    

reviewing weekly legislative committee agendas and participating in weekly policy team meetings;  
assisting with bill analysis, drafting and distributing bill memos to the legislature, as needed;  
researching, collecting data, and writing documents for various audiences, including fact sheets, talking points, and bill memos;  
drafting communication and outreach materials for policy campaigns;  
participating in lobby visits, lobby days, coalition meetings, and press events;  
participating in internal team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and discussions; 
assisting with administrative tasks, including meeting scheduling, email drafting, delivering memos, and record-keeping; 
completing a self-guided project (EANY policy staff will work with the intern to develop a project scope and workplan); and
other duties as assigned.   

Qualifications (Note: Successful applicants will have many, but may not have all, of these qualifications. An internship is a learning experience and growth opportunity; we’re prepared to mentor applications who have aptitude in the following and a dedication to learning):

Strong communications skills, both written and verbal. 
Strong commitment to clean air, clean water, climate justice, healthy communities, and sustainable land use.
Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate data sources.
Ability to work both in-person and remotely, and to transition smoothly between the two.
Self-starter and initiative-taker; the ability to identify opportunities to support organizational efforts, and work to see a project through.
Experience in being part of a mission-driven organization, at the school, community, or campaign level.
High degree of professionalism while engaging with government officials, peer organizations, and the public.

Our organization strives to increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all elements of our work. Applicants are encouraged to apply, even if they don’t have every type of experience listed in this posting.

Please email a resume and cover letter to Kristina Green at kgreen [at] eany [dot] org by October 19th at 9:00am.