The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. Its mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Learn more at www.ewg.org.
Overview of where internship project fits within organization:
This is a paid internship. We are seeking a qualified individual to support our communications staff. This internship presents a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of media outreach in a fast-moving nonprofit setting by gaining knowledge about the strategies employed by our small but nimble—and extremely effective—team.
You will be doing true on-the-job training, working with science communicators to maintain the high profile of EWG and its issues in media outlets across the country. We like to work with our interns to customize the experience for their interests and school and career goals, and we provide substantive feedback throughout the experience. Past interns have seen bylines on EWG’s main website, www.ewg.org; EWG’s Children’s Health site; and EcoWatch.
This semester, the intern will work to support EWG’s work on efforts to update cosmetics laws, advocate for legislation to regulate PFAS chemicals, call attention to how the climate crisis is affecting America’s farmlands, and more.
An in-person intern is preferred, but a remote intern may be considered.
Compensation
Paid • $20 per hour
Project details:
- The communications interns will assist in many of EWG’s projects for 2022, including:
- Food and agriculture: Promoting reports on EWG’s ongoing food and agriculture policy work focused on water pollution, pesticides, conservation, and farm subsidies.
- Cosmetics and personal care products: Supporting efforts on Capitol Hill to get hazardous chemicals removed from personal care products and cosmetics and promoting safer alternatives with the #BeautyMadeBetter campaign.
- Toxic chemicals: Educating and informing the public to ensure that chemicals are safe for children before they enter the market and that those that are unsafe, like asbestos, get removed from the marketplace.
Expected project deliverables:
- Getting hands-on experience and on-the-job training in the communications field.
- Gaining understanding of how an advocacy group engages with media outlets and reporters to raise the profile of its issues and research.
- Learning science communication, media strategy, and digital media techniques.
- Obtaining insight into how a national nonprofit works and what a career in nonprofit communications can be like.
Specific responsibilities will include most, if not all, of the following:
- Summarizing media coverage and compiling quotes citing EWG.
- Researching and writing articles for EWG’s website.
- Researching media outlets that might be interested in covering EWG’s research.
- Monitoring topics from EWG and other environmental outlets that reporters and academics are talking about on social media.
- Drafting tweets about various topics.
- Assisting with setting up and managing media engagement opportunities like Zoom press conferences.
Skills student will gain during internship:
- Writing content that will be published on EWG’s website.
- Getting writing feedback from professional communicators.
- Working with highly skilled communications experts who are engaged in the intern’s professional development.
- Playing a part in EWG’s vital environmental and public health mission.
- Being part of a casual, fun, new office located centrally in downtown D.C. (depending on Covid-19 situation).
- Garnering references and recommendation letters, if the intern does well.
Qualifications and skills required:
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- A passion for or curiosity about mission-driven, public-interest advocacy work.
- Strong writing skills—a background in writing, from class or previous internships, is ideal.
- Ability to multi-task and work efficiently and independently.
- Interest in any/all of the following: environmental issues, public health, media relations, and/or science communication.
Preferred skills (optional):
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Drive, and ability to quickly learn to use online media databases.
- Prior experience or course work related to journalism, communications, social media, or advocacy.
EWG’s commitment to diversity and inclusion:
EWG celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to foster a work environment that supports, inspires and respects all individuals. EWG does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, citizenship, ancestry, marital status, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, matriculation or political affiliation, or any other protected class recognized in any of the jurisdictions where EWG has offices or employees working. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, and compensation and promotion.
To apply:
We know there are great candidates who won’t check all these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: Communications Internship. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.
Location: Washington, D.C.