2026 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): Earthworks
Job Title: Mining Justice Intern, Western US
Department/Team: Mining at Earthworks
Location: Fully Remote in the United States - preference for CA or NV
Duration: 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer
Reports to: Jared Naimark (Western Mining Senior Manager)
Areas of Interest: Corporate accountability, extractive industries, human rights, environmental justice, public lands, and conservation.
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. In the United States, the mining sector is the #1 toxic polluter and has contaminated 40% of watersheds in the West. Mining is still governed by the outdated 1872 mining law which prioritizes extraction over all other uses of federal public lands. Mining disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities, posing threats to land, air, water, and culture. Yet, mining is increasingly being approved without adequate tribal consultation, public participation, or environmental safeguards. In the Western US, Earthworks supports grassroots campaigns to influence the mine permitting process with the goals of:
- Promoting environmental justice by reducing the cumulative harms of lithium extraction.
- Defending Indigenous rights by campaigning to stop gold mining projects from moving forward without consent.
- Protecting water and biodiversity from irreversible damage from large mining projects on federal public lands.
Position Description/Scope of Work:
Earthworks is looking for a Mining Justice Intern to support our place-based campaigns to protect communities and the environment from the impacts of mining in the US West. This internship will support our work in researching the impacts of proposed mining projects, supporting impacted community members and grassroots organizations to make public comments as part of the mine permitting process, and developing and implementing creative advocacy campaigns to stop or minimize harm from mining projects. This position will coordinate closely with Earthworks staff, allied organizations and coalitions.
List of Potential Projects:
- Critical analysis of a draft environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for a proposed mining project.
- Co-development of communications materials, public comment workshop materials, and action alerts.
- Contribute to Earthworks and/or coalition comments on proposed mining projects.
- Coordination and strategy development with coalitions and partner organizations for effective advocacy.
- Potential field visit to proposed mining site and on-the-ground work with grassroots organizations.
Required Experience/Qualifications:
- Ability to critically read and analyze environmental documents
- Interest in US environmental policy, environmental justice, Indigenous rights, public lands management, and biodiversity conservation
- Strong research skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, particularly relating to concisely conveying technical information
- Sharp attention to detail
- Ability to work autonomously and seek out help when 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
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 6, 2026).
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.
2025 Stanford EPIC Fellow: Amanda Campos
Eligibility:
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Learn more about our previous EPIC cohorts! Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Students may not be serving a suspension and may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA).
Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Co-terms are eligible; Graduating seniors cannot apply for the February deadline, and are ineligible for additional financial aid beyond the base stipend. Graduating seniors may apply if there is a Round 2 deadline in the spring quarter. All students, including co-term students, must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter (this is important!). Student athletes should confirm the impact of any awarded stipend on their athletic eligibility by contacting the Compliance Services Office prior to submitting their application. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.
Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.
Requirements:
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Spring Quarter:
- Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
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Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
- If you are working internationally, complete the International Academy Canvas course, and participate in pre-departure orientation with Stanford Global Risk
- Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
- Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
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Summer Quarter:
- Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 6, 2026; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
- Submit a mid-summer evaluation
- Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff
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Fall Quarter:
- Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
- Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
- Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program
*Failure to complete any of the requirements may result in the student's stipend being rescinded in part or in full.
Fundamental Standard:
Violations of Undergraduate Fellowships program policies are violations of the Fundamental Standard and may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Students who fail to abide by the policies set forth by the Undergraduate Fellowships Program, the Haas Center for Public Service, and Stanford University will have low/no priority for future Haas Center funding opportunities and programs. The Haas Center reserves the right to rescind funding at any given point and time should they be apprised of any policy violations as outlined above.
More information about this fellowship opportunity is available through Cardinal Quarter. This program is one of more than 500 Cardinal Quarter opportunities through which Stanford students pursue a full-time summer or quarter-long public service experience with Stanford support. Check out Stanford University's Cardinal Service site.
