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Sierra Club Careers
Internship Opportunities
Washington, D.C. Legislative Office
Thank you for your interest in a Sierra Club internship. With over 1.4 million members, the Sierra Club is one of our nation's largest grassroots conservation organizations. We seek to accomplish our mission statement, to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the Earth, through active education and promotion of the responsible use of the Earth's ecosystems.
Pivotal in this endeavor, the Washington DC Legislative office concentrates on monitoring legislative activities and public policy decisions of environmental concern, while also educating Congress, the public, and Sierra Club members regarding the quality of the natural environment.
Our year-round issue internships provide a hands-on opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the field of environmental protection and the specific role that the Sierra Club plays in it. An intern may be expected to conduct research, gather and analyze information, help develop background information on a specific issue, write summaries and fact sheets, and prepare briefing materials, among many other tasks. D.C. Office Interns also learn firsthand how Congress works and the role of other non-governmental organizations in Washington as they help prepare Congressional testimony, accompany staff on visits to Congressional offices and monitor Congress. Interns are selected on the basis of their interests, education and experience in related fields. We especially seek interns who have been directly involved in conservation work and have good communication and writing skills. Our normal intern rotations are in the fall, winter/spring, and summer but we are flexible with other starting dates.
The Washington DC Legislative office of the Sierra Club offers issue internships in the following areas only:
Beyond Oil Campaign: We have three internship openings in this program. The BP oil disaster has vividly demonstrated that our country must end its dependence on oil and embrace a cleaner, safer energy future for all Americans. Our oil addiction endangers the health and well-being of our families, puts our national and economic security at risk, and imperils our land, air, and water. The Sierra Club's Beyond Oil Campaign is working to reduce America's dependence on oil and by doing so to create a healthier, cleaner, safer energy future for our country. The Beyond Oil intern will assist the Beyond Oil Campaign team members in their attempts to move our Nation beyond oil based fuels.
More information about this program.
Internship information.
Internship/Volunteer Opportunity: Sierra Club Green Fleets and Electric Vehicles Campaigns
Labor and Trade: To meet surging demand for cheap products, our natural resources have been exploited while the rights of workers, communities and the environment are pushed aside to make way for corporate profit. The Labor and Trade Program wants trade that is clean, green, and fair, where peoples' lives and livelihood's are protected.
More information about this program.
Environmental Justice: The Environmental Justice committee aids communities as they tackle many issues caused by industrial pollution such as contaminated drinking water due to coal industry's mountaintop-removal mining.
More information about this program.
Environmental Quality: The Sierra Club wants to foster vibrant, healthy communities with clean water and air that are free from toxic chemical threats. Our goals include protecting drinking water sources, preventing sewage pollution, protecting communities threatened by mountaintop removal mining, promoting clean water in rural communities, and addressing climate change and its impacts on water resources.
More information about this program.
Public Lands: Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program works to preserve, protect, and restore America's natural heritage by informing the public about issues related to the Sierra Club's land and wildlife protection agenda; promoting policies that protect our nation's natural heritage; as well as promoting the biological, scenic, recreational, and cultural values of America's special places.
More information about this program.
There are currently no internship opportunities available for this program.
Coal: Coal is one of the most polluting sources of energy available, jeopardizing our health and our environment. To abate the damaging effects of coal on the climate and the environment, the Coal team actively works to stop coal production while encouraging clean energy investing in wind, solar, and other renewable energy.
More information about this program.
Global Warming and Energy: Global Warming and Energy team works to improve vehicle fuel economy, while promoting the increased use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and reducing overall emissions as part of a comprehensive national energy plan.
More information about this program.
Political Department: The Political Department manages the Club's participation in elections, including making political endorsements and contributions, organizing local volunteer efforts in elections, conducting research on candidates, and training volunteers.
More information about this program.
Media Department: The Media team promotes Sierra Club's mission and help with the production of press releases, fact sheets, and other materials geared for use by Washington-based reporters, editors, and producers.
Internship information.
The Sierra Student Coalition (SSC): SSC organizes with high school and college students across the country to advance campaigns for environmental progress. As the generation with the most to lose from inaction on environmental and energy policy, the SSC encourages future leaders through its commitment to building and advancing the movement for a more just and sustainable future.
For more information visit www.ssc.org.
Building Bridges to the Outdoors: Today's children are growing up more and more detached from the natural world. Sierra Club's Building Bridges to the Outdoors program is working to reverse this trend by ensuring children, youth and families have opportunities and encouragement to explore and enjoy the outdoors and the natural world.
More information about this program.
Military Families Outdoors: Through the Mission Outdoors Military Families and Veterans Initiative, the Sierra Club endeavors to make sure our military and veteran communities can experience the freedom of the land they defended. America's Outdoors Movement needs new leaders and we believe the Military and Veteran Community can be leaders in the movement.
More information about this program.
Polling & Research: The Communications Department relies on the latest polling and research to guide the Club's communication strategy and messaging.
Internship Information.
Organizing and Federal Policy: The Organizing and Federal Policy teams sit at the center of the Sierra Club's national push to move beyond coal coal, coordinating our federal policy work with local grassroots organizers in over 25 states working to mobilize the Sierra Club's 1.4 million activists.
More information about this program.
Internship Information
Now Accepting Applications for Spring and Summer 2012 internships
How to Apply: Please email resume, cover letter, and a two to five page writing sample to Leslie.Bratton@sierraclub.org. Please indicate your specific interest and your availability dates. Upon receipt of all the information, your application will then be considered by the relevant issue team. Thank you for your interest. No phone calls please! We are unable to retain unsolicited or general applications on file.