Graduate Intern, Energy Law and Policy Analysis

Graduate Intern, Energy Law and Policy Analysis at National Laboratory of the Rockies

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join our team of world-class scientists, engineers, and experts who are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. NLR is committed to an affordable and secure energy future, focusing on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions that strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The Legal & Regulatory Analysis Intern will support the Policy Analysis Group within the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. This role involves conducting research and analysis on legal and regulatory issues related to energy innovation development and bulk electric transmission. This position is ideal for students with a strong interest in energy law, environmental permitting, and regulatory policy. The intern will contribute to publication-quality research and engage with regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders to support analysis of energy innovation and transmission permitting frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Research statutory and administrative regulations related to energy innovation and bulk transmission permitting and regulation
• Analyze federal and state legal and regulatory frameworks affecting energy development
• Assist in drafting publication-quality reports examining energy innovation legal and regulatory issues, including comparisons with other energy technologies
• Consult with and interview state and federal regulatory agency personnel and other industry stakeholders
• Support broader policy analysis projects as assigned

There may be an opportunity to extend the internship beyond the summer in a part-time capacity, depending on team needs and overall fit.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

• Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

Please Note

• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrolled in a JD or LLM program
• Academic or professional background in law
• Familiarity with laws and regulations related to energy development, environmental permitting, and regulatory approvals
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

The annual salary range for this position (based on full-time 40 hours per week) is $44,500 - $71,200. NLR considers a candidate’s education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

*Based on eligibility rules

Other Important Information

Badging Requirement: NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace: NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines: Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

Key skills/competency

• Energy Law
• Regulatory Policy
• Environmental Permitting
• Legal Research
• Policy Analysis
• Statutory Regulations
• Administrative Regulations
• Industry Stakeholder Engagement
• Report Drafting
• Energy Innovation