2025 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): Earthworks

Job Title: International Mining Justice Intern
Department/Team: Mining at Earthworks
Location:  Fully Remote - any time zone in the Americas is acceptable
Duration: 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer
Reports to: Benjamin Hitchcock Auciello (International Mining Standards and Policy Advocate)
Areas of Interest: Corporate accountability, extractive industries, human rights, international environmental policy

About Earthworks:

Earthworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of mineral and energy development while promoting sustainable solutions. Earthworks stands for clean air, water, and land, healthy communities, and corporate accountability. We work for solutions that protect both the Earth’s resources and our communities. Earthworks has a primarily-remote staff of approximately 50 employees in over 20 states and DC, as well as internationally.

Earthworks stands in solidarity with communities fighting mining injustice and provides technical, advocacy, networking, research, and policy support to communities and grassroots groups leading their own campaigns. We advocate for companies and jurisdictions to respect the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous communities, including their right to say no to mining. 

About the Mining Team:

Irresponsible mining threatens communities and ecosystems around the world.  

Renewable energy technologies are competitive and growing rapidly. Yet the lifecycle of this technology begins with industrial mining that generates toxic waste, pollutes freshwater, threatens ocean health, and often violates human rights and Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination. Renewable energy and battery production rely on minerals such as cobalt, nickel, lithium and copper. Demand for these minerals is skyrocketing, driving the expansion of mining on Indigenous lands and in biodiversity hot spots – even to the depths of the ocean through proposed deep-seabed mining. It is estimated that more than half of new mining for energy transition minerals will come from the territories of Indigenous Peoples.

Earthworks supports the transition to a 100% renewable energy economy that no longer depends on fossil fuels—an essential shift to avoid climate catastrophe. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the way the world is powered and shift away from dirty extraction.  But we cannot replace one harmful system with another. We can build a more equitable energy system where all communities have access to energy that is produced in a way that upholds human rights and protects the environment.

Position Description/Scope of Work:

Earthworks is looking for an International Mining Justice Intern to engage with international standards bodies and international institutions advancing regulatory and policy proposals related to mining and raw material supply chains. This internship will provide you with the opportunity to support our work in identifying, tracking and influencing global mandatory and voluntary processes on mining with the goal of advancing human rights and environmental protections. This position will coordinate closely with Earthworks staff, allied organizations and coalitions. 

List of Potential Projects:

• Critical analysis of voluntary, global mining standards 
• Co-development of communications materials and advocacy plans
• Reviews and comments on international policy proposals (ex: EU regulations)
• Coordination and strategy development with coalitions and partner organizations for effective advocacy

Required Experience/Qualifications:

• Ability to critically read and analyze policy documents
• Interest in international policy, EU policy, and/or multi stakeholder processes
• Interest in international human rights, particular Indigenous rights, and corporate accountability
• Strong research skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, particularly relating to concisely conveying technical information
• Sharp attention to detail
• Ability to work autonomously, while being able to reach out for help whenever needed
• Multicultural competence, a commitment to working with people from a variety of backgrounds, and an understanding of how systems of oppression affect current events
• Comfort with remote working environments

Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Ability to speak, read and write in other than English (particularly Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, or Bahasa Indonesia)

Logistics: 

• EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (35-40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. This stipend is intended to help cover living and transportation expenses during the fellowship, which the student is expected to arrange and coordinate. 
• Start and end dates are flexible (start date no later than July 7, 2025). 

Earthworks’ Commitments:

Earthworks is committed to challenging and dismantling systemic oppression. Earthworks’ board and staff understand that promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) both within and beyond Earthworks is critical to carrying out our mission to protect communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of resource extraction. We understand that our commitment to DEI means a dedication to constant learning and improvement.

Earthworks welcomes applications from diverse candidates and is an equal-opportunity employer. Earthworks evaluates employees and applicants for employment on merit, competence, and qualifications and does not tolerate discrimination.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Earthworks we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We strongly encourage and seek applications from people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and bilingual individuals. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that applicants with disabilities may participate in the application and interview process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.