
Fall 2026 Community-Centered Advocacy Internship
Earthjustice · United States
- Hybrid
- Internship
- $73,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Support environmental advocacy and partnership development.
- Assist with legal and policy project coordination.
- Engage with community-based organizations and partners.
- Gain experience in environmental justice principles.
- Paid internship opportunity for students.
About the role
About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.
Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.
Internship Opportunity
Earthjustice’s Litigation & Advocacy Partnership (“LAP”) team is accepting applications for one part-time intern for fall 2026. We are seeking graduate and law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. This is a paid position, and the successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S.
The Litigation & Advocacy Partnerships team works with Earthjustice departments and programs to assess current partnership priorities and goals regarding strategic advocacy, project, and case development. Our team is focused on helping staff strengthen Earthjustice’s institutional capacity, resources, and skills for building authentic, lasting relationships with community-based organizations and other partners. To that end, we work to provide opportunities for staff to build their own knowledge and skills around cultural sensitivity, community lawyering, grassroots communication, and environmental justice principles; take the time necessary to cultivate and maintain their own relationships; and access institutional support and resources to effectively engage and work well with their community partners.
What You’ll Do
- Work closely with legal and policy staff to support partnership-focused projects, helping bridge connections between teams and community partners.
- Assist with planning and coordinating community and stakeholder engagement activities tied to ongoing legal and advocacy efforts.
- Assist with preparation for our Fall 2026 Litigation Training Conference
- Help track and organize national, state, and local conferences or events where Earthjustice staff can build relationships and share work.
- Support the Quarterly Partnership Speaker Series, including reaching out to speakers, preparing materials, and helping ensure smooth events.
- Join weekly LAP team meetings and sit in on cross-departmental calls to stay informed and help move projects forward.
- Review and enhance the Earthjustice Partnership Toolkit, and help create new training materials for staff on community engagement and partnership best practices.
- Assist in developing interactive learning sessions for staff focused on environmental justice, community lawyering, and collaboration strategies.
- Conduct research and draft short summaries on partnership trends, advocacy strategies, or ways to strengthen relationships with community-based organizations.
- Provide general support on LAP initiatives. This could include writing, preparing presentations, or helping coordinate logistics for legal and policy projects.
- Assist with identifying, editing, and managing content for partnership webpage.
What You’ll Bring
- Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during fall 2026 or a graduate studies program with an anticipated graduate date between December 2026 and December 2027.
- Excellent research, writing, organizational, and communication skills
- Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
- Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
- Interest in public interest law and social justice.
- Must have deep interest in strengthening partnerships and advancing relationships with environmental justice communities.
- Working knowledge of MS Office programs
- Preferred background in environmental policy or studies, civil rights, environmental justice, sociology, social work, or community organizing.
- Commitment of 15-20 hours per week for 12 weeks.
Physical Requirements
- Sit for extended periods with occasional standing and walking
- Type, file, and/or handle office equipment
- Lift and carry materials
- Read documents, conduct computer work and document review
Compensation
Interns at Earthjustice receive an hourly rate that is considered taxable income. The current hourly rate for law students is $35.20, and the rate for graduate students is $27.39 and reflects our current fiscal year structure, which will refresh on July 1, 2026, subject to Board approval.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following materials by 5:00pm PT on Friday, May 15, 2026 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 18 and offers extended no later than July 8.
- Resume.
- One-page cover letter that addresses: (1) Why you want to work with the Litigation & Advocacy Partnerships team, (2) Your general weekly availability and confirmation you can work for 12 weeks, (3) An indication of any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your ability to accept an offer.
- Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): Proof of enrollment in your academic program (e.g., verification from your registrar’s office, unofficial transcript).
Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references.
Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process . Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.
For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Key skills/competency
- Community-Centered Advocacy Intern
- Environmental Law
- Partnership Development
- Community Organizing
- Legal Research
- Advocacy Strategy
- Environmental Justice
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Communication Skills
- Project Support
Skills & topics
- Community Advocacy
- Environmental Law
- Internship
- Public Interest Law
- Partnership Development
- Environmental Justice
- Legal Intern
- Advocacy
- Fall 2026
- Remote Internship
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant coursework, research, and any experience with community organizing or environmental justice.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Clearly articulate your passion for the Litigation & Advocacy Partnerships team and confirm your availability.
- Submit by the deadline: Ensure all required documents, including proof of enrollment, are submitted via Jobvite by May 15, 2026.
- Prepare for references: Finalists will be asked for two references, so have them ready.
- Review hiring process: Familiarize yourself with Earthjustice's hiring process and tips for success on their website.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the application deadline for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship?
- The application deadline for the Fall 2026 Community-Centered Advocacy Internship at Earthjustice is 5:00pm PT on Friday, May 15, 2026. Ensure all required materials are submitted by this time.
- Is the Community-Centered Advocacy Internship at Earthjustice paid?
- Yes, this is a paid internship. Law students will receive an hourly rate of $35.20, and graduate students will receive $27.39 per hour. These rates are subject to change on July 1, 2026.
- Can I apply for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship if I am not a law student?
- Yes, the internship is open to graduate students as well as law students (2L or 3L during fall 2026). The key requirement is enrollment in a graduate studies program with an anticipated graduation date between December 2026 and December 2027.
- What is the expected time commitment for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship?
- The internship requires a commitment of 15-20 hours per week for a duration of 12 weeks during the fall 2026 semester.
- Can I work remotely for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship?
- Yes, the successful candidate for the Fall 2026 Community-Centered Advocacy Internship may work remotely within the U.S.
- What kind of documents do I need to submit for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship?
- You need to submit a resume, a one-page cover letter addressing specific prompts, and proof of enrollment in your academic program. Finalists will be asked for references.
- How will applications for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship be reviewed?
- Applications will be reviewed beginning May 18, 2026, with offers extended no later than July 8, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Who should I contact if I have technical difficulties applying for the Earthjustice Community-Centered Advocacy Internship?
- If you encounter technical difficulties submitting your application, please reach out to [email protected]