Schneider Summer Fellowships: Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) - Summer 2024
Through the Schneider Fellows program, Stanford students work at leading U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the sustainable energy field. Schneider Summer Fellows spend a summer quarter tackling the world’s economic, environmental, social, and technical challenges associated with harnessing energy resources to deliver energy services.
Fellows receive a stipend of $10,000 for a 12-week summer fellowship. In addition, additional funding of up to $1500 is available for fellowship-related travel.
Environmental Defense Fund internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.
Check out the nine summer fellowship positions available to Stanford students below. Applicants can rank up to three fellowship positions. EDF Schneider Summer Fellows are expected to begin work on June 17, 2024.
Fellowship 1: Air Quality Research (Graduate Student Preferred)
Hybrid out of New York or U.S. Remote (must work U.S. Eastern Standard Timezone)
Program/Department Overview
The Economics Team ensures that environmental policy advanced by EDF is underpinned by sound economic thinking. Within the organization, the Economics Team works across all of EDF’s workstreams providing thought leadership and economic analysis. Outside the organization, the team maintains relationships with leading environmental economists and key stakeholders (including policymakers) to ensure that the best available knowledge is used to advance EDF policy.
Overall Function
The intern will support the writing of a technical manual for the Local Air Management Plans project, a flagship initiative by EDF and government partners in India to strengthen locally specific air quality management planning in around nine Indian cities. This highly visible external product will be used by several Indian cities to design crucial data collection and modelling exercises, in support of localized and pragmatic solutions for clean air. The intern will report to the Senior Economics and Policy Analyst supporting this work led by the Healthy Communities team. The intern will have the opportunity work with a dynamic team across India and the United States, and support a crucial learning objective for the LAMP project. Subject to time, the intern will also have the opportunity to provide scoping research support for similar air quality partnerships co-led by EDF.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Work with the supervisor and managers of the LAMP project to translate technical aspects of monitoring plans into policy-relevant guidance.
- Perform literature reviews to identify the most suitable format and outline for the LAMP technical manual.
- Prepare detailed notes on air quality monitoring equipment used in project cities to scope available options for air quality data collection aimed at users of the manual.
- Contribute to developing technical and non-technical sections of the LAMP manual based on source material provided by the team.
- Provide support to the team in scoping new partnerships based on the LAMP work with leading academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in a graduate degree program and/or demonstrated interest in atmospheric or earth sciences, environmental science, environmental policy, science communications, and/or urban planning.
- Coursework in air quality management, air pollution data analysis recommended.
- Experience in writing technical products with policy relevance for a wide range of audience.
- Basic proficiency in data analysis and scientific or technical writing.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a global team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
Fellowship 2: Blue Carbon Research
U.S. Remote, with option to be hybrid out Boston, MA or San Francisco, CA office
Program/Department Overview
Healthy oceans are the lifeblood of our planet. But they’re in peril – from climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction and other threats. That’s why EDF’s Resilient Fisheries and Oceans program is working to safeguard the oceans and protect nature, while feeding the planet, creating more secure livelihoods and bolstering more equitable societies for human well-being. One of the greatest threats to the oceans is overfishing, which is why our dedicated team of scientists, economists and fishery management experts are collaborating with partners around the globe to make sustainable fishing the norm. Through our programs in the U.S., Latin America and Asia Pacific, we draw on strong science and economic principles to advance sustainable fishing practices, forward-looking policies and innovative tools that support the health of our oceans and the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods.
The Fisheries Solutions Center team works to develop and apply tools and approaches that will help spur broader change to improve ocean biodiversity, fisheries and human well-being. As part of the Fisheries Solutions Center, EDF’s Oceans Technology Solutions team identifies opportunities where new and emerging technologies can be used to solve the most important challenges to economic and environmental sustainability facing the world’s fisheries. EDF partners with governments, fishing associations, technology providers and EDF project staff in the U.S., Latin America and the Asia Pacific region to tackle these challenges head on.
Overall Function
The Intern will support the Oceans Technology Solutions Team’s efforts to scale community-led blue carbon sequestration projects, focusing on mangrove ecosystems in the tropics. In service of this goal, the intern will conduct research and interview carbon offset certification organizations, blue carbon experts and community leaders to learn about the challenges faced and lessons learned from implementing carbon sequestration projects. The findings from this research will be synthesized into a report containing recommendations for democratizing the benefits of blue carbon credit programs. Careful consideration will be given to equity, inclusion and justice when analyzing the success of existing blue carbon projects and recommendations for future development of community-centric blue carbon projects. The intern will be an integral part of the Oceans Technology Solutions team during the course of the internship, participating in team meetings and other functions, as necessary.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Research existing blue carbon sequestration projects with a focus on mangrove habitats.
- Conduct interviews with carbon offset certification organizations, blue carbon experts and representatives from communities impacted by carbon sequestration projects.
- Engage with Oceans Technology Solutions team and Oceans Science staff to coordinate research efforts and present findings.
- Synthesize a comprehensive report describing the results of the research.
- Support the work of the Oceans Technology Solutions team and participate in team and project meetings.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with a demonstrated interest in environmental science, oceans science, environmental policy or a related field.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
Fellowship 3: Community Air Monitoring
U.S. Remote, with possibility to be hybrid out of Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Boulder, CO, or New York, NY
Program/Department Overview
EDF’s Healthy Communities impact area is committed to improving the public’s health by dramatically reducing exposures to and health impacts of toxic chemicals and air pollution among communities and individuals that bear the greatest burden of exposure and/or health risk. By advancing scientific insights, policies, and market-based leadership and working with diverse partners and collaborators from companies, researchers, and community-based groups to government agencies and elected officials, we seek to make evident inequities in chemical- and pollution-related health impacts, and to develop, support and implement solutions that promote healthy communities and individuals.
Harris County has the highest concentration of facilities emitting urban air toxins in the nation, yet there are no regulatory air monitors measuring the ones that pose the greatest threat to public health. With funding from the EPA, community groups will embark on community-led monitoring of hazardous air pollutants, addressing blind spots in community exposures by collectively quantifying and mapping air toxics (ethylene oxide, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde and acrolein) in residential neighborhoods and near permitted facilities in Harris County. A mobile air monitoring campaign, consisting of a 20-day baseline survey will be conducted and participating organizations will expand capacity and scope of existing hyper-local community air monitoring networks. Groups will work to analyze, visualize and share data with the public, as well as local and state governments, community-led disaster planners, policy makers and regulators.
Overall Function
The Healthy Communities team working in Houston includes Senior Health Scientist, Community Air Quality Tom Graff Fellow, Senior Communications Manager, and Manager, Community Engagement and Education. Intern will report to the Senior Health Scientist to support community-based organizations as they work on their Enhanced Community Air Monitoring grant awarded by the EPA.
The intern will be responsible for developing maps, data visualizations and summaries that can be shared with city, county, state, federal officials and the public.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Virtually attend regular update meetings with community groups, EDF teammates, and other partners working on the EPA grant.
- Research area for background information that may inform mobile monitoring plan and placement of low cost air sensors in the communities.
- Contribute to developing maps, data visualizations and summaries that can be used in different contexts (print, social media, presentations, etc.) and appropriate for different audiences (public, local, state, federal officials and regulators).
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Currently a Junior or Senior of an undergraduate degree program and/or demonstrated interest in air quality, public health, data analysis or evaluation, environmental justice.
- Experience or interest using R, Python, GIS mapping, and statistical analysis.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
Fellowship 4: Ecosystems Fisheries Management
U.S. Remote, with option to be hybrid out of EDF’s San Francisco, CA office.
Program/Department Overview
Healthy oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, but they’re in peril, due to climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction and other threats. EDF’s Fisheries & Oceans program has been successfully helping fisheries around the world become more sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change for over 20 years. We have developed initiatives to protect and restore the natural pathways through which the ocean sequesters atmospheric carbon dioxide, an essential part of any strategy to prevent catastrophic climate change. Environmental justice and equity are imperatives of our work, as is the improvement of human welfare and food security. We draw on strong science, policy, and economic principles and skills to achieve these ambitious goals.
Overall Function
The Intern will work closely with scientists on EDF’s Oceans Science Team to provide critical support to EDF Oceans staff working to implement sustainable, climate resilient fisheries management around the world. This internship will be focused on researching and developing ways in which information from ecosystem sentinels – species that provide warnings about climate change impacts that can be difficult to observe directly – can be incorporated into “climate-smart” fisheries management frameworks. The intern will review existing examples of sentinels, the types of information they can provide, and explore how this information can best be integrated into adaptive management processes.
The project has specific applications to the Humboldt Current, which is one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet and supports the largest fishery in the world (anchoveta) as well as tens of millions of people who rely on the ocean for their food and livelihoods. The region also hosts large populations of marine predators, such marine mammals and seabirds, which breed on coastlines or islands and are routinely monitored. These species are considered sentinels of marine ecosystem health as they are well-studied, feed on lower trophic-level fish which are also targeted by fisheries and are vulnerable to climate change impacts. The intern will collaborate with EDF experts and external collaborators working in Peru and Chile to discuss data availability for key species (e.g. seabirds), and explore both ecological and socio-economic indicators that might be appropriate to incorporate into an integrated observing system (S.A.P.O. Humboldt) to support climate adaptation in the region. The intern will be a fully integrated member of the Oceans Program Science Team, working closely with other EDF staff and participating in weekly team meetings. By the end of the internship, the intern will have expanded their research skills and will have a deeper understanding of climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems and the science behind ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Review the literature on the use of ecosystem sentinels (e.g. seabirds and marine mammals) and identify which types of species in which ecosystems might provide information that is useful to fisheries management.
- Research examples of adaptive fisheries management processes around the world that already incorporate ecosystem indicators.
- Assist with the development of a framework that will detail how information from ecosystem sentinels can be fed into management decisions in the region.
- Work with Humboldt Oceans Team staff to understand data availability and information needs for climate-smart fisheries management and adaptation planning.
- Work with Oceans Science Team staff as needed.
- Support in preparing reports, memos, case studies etc. to document findings.
- Participate in team meetings and check-ins to solicit input and gauge progress.
- Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Proficiency conducting research and synthesizing results.
- Experiencing conducting detailed literature reviews preferred.
- Coursework, independent research, or other experience in understanding climate change impacts on oceans, fisheries ecology, fisheries management or marine policy.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- The ability to read and communicate in Spanish is a bonus.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. • Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrates initiative and problem solving skills.
Fellowship 5: Greenhouse Gas Inventory
U.S. Remote, with option to be hybrid out of EDF’s Boston, MA or San Francisco, CA office.
Program/Department Overview
The Office of Chief Scientist (OCS) is the nexus of science at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), ensuring that the science that is the backbone for all EDF policy positions is based on the best available information. To be most effective in this role, OCS provides programmatic support for all scientists at EDF and fosters relationships with scientists outside the organization. The OCS team works on projects across all of EDF’s programs, translating natural and social science basic and applied research into actionable ideas for colleagues who are designing programs and projects.
Overall Function
The intern will learn and understand the basic concepts of the oil and gas industry and how greenhouse gas emissions are estimated by the Canadian federal government. The intern will develop code to process industry-reported emissions data into easily interpreted, informative maps. The intern will work with OCS researchers to improve this software with the intention of making it an open-source platform.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Support in developing code (in R) to handle large CSV datasets.
- Learn and expand on EDF’s work on greenhouse gas inventory efforts in Canada.
- Review literature on industry reporting methods.
- Generate maps for scientific and advocacy outputs (ArcGIS).
- Support writing of a user manual for the software.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in engineering (computer, mechanical, etc.), computer science, or similar fields with interest in mathematical modelling or script writing.
- Basic experience in or interest in learning R, Python, MATLAB, or similar.
- Basic experience or interest in learning ArcGIS or similar mapping tools.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.
Fellowship 6: Net Zero Resources
Hybrid out of San Francisco, New York, Boston, or U.S. Remote
Program/Department Overview
EDF+Business has been working with the private sector to address the world’s most pressing environmental problems for over thirty years. Through our Net Zero Ambition and Action team we are working to get the leading global companies to have public net zero goals and transformation plans to achieve them; to share the lessons from their journey globally for other companies to learn from and act on; and to engage in systems change efforts like policy advocacy and finance to ensure a stable climate by midcentury. EDF+Business has a major new initiative called the Net Zero Action Accelerator with a goal to help companies move from climate pledges to progress. Through the Net Zero Action Accelerator's customizable climate action hub, companies cut through the complexity with the latest science-based, actionable resources, trainings, and tools to scale real results.
Overall Function
The Intern will support the impact of the Net Zero Action Accelerator (NZAA) web hub by conducting research and analysis to refine and update existing resources and support the development of new content to encourage companies to take action on climate. The Intern will report to the Net Zero Action Accelerator Project Manager, and will be expected to produce resource recommendations, analysis on special assignments, and draft versions of new content for the web hub.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Review existing net zero resources on NZAA web hub and make recommendations for removal or expansion with new resources.
- Perform research and analysis, such as research into net zero resources related to hard-to-abate sectors such as industrials, aviation, oil and gas.
- Outline and write first drafts of new action steps or guides for NZAA web hub.
- Prepare summary of analysis and recommendations for NZAA team and other EDF staff.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts at EDF as needed.
- Provide support to the team as needed for other research, analysis or projects that need coordination.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and/or demonstrated interest in climate, energy, and/or corporate sustainability with an understanding of net zero climate targets.
- Coursework in climate, energy or carbon accounting recommended.
- Understanding climate change at the global level and international climate change frameworks is a bonus.
- Experience with online research projects.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
Fellowship 7: Small-Scale Fisheries
U.S. Remote, with option to be hybrid out of EDF's Boston, MA or San Francisco, CA office.
Program/Department Overview
Healthy oceans are the lifeblood of our planet. But they’re in peril – from climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction and other threats. That’s why EDF’s Climate Resilient Fisheries and Oceans program is working to safeguard the oceans and protect nature, while feeding the planet, creating more secure livelihoods, and bolstering more equitable societies for human well-being. One of the greatest threats to the oceans is overfishing, which is why our dedicated team of scientists, economists and fishery management experts are collaborating with partners around the globe to make sustainable fishing the norm. Through our programs in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia Pacific, we draw on strong science and economic principles to advance sustainable fishing practices, forward-looking policies and innovative tools that support the health of our oceans and the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods.
EDF’s Fishery Solutions Center is working with a coalition of partner organizations to support small-scale fisheries (SSF) and communities to implement the SSF Guidelines through co-developing an online platform that empowers SSF stakeholders. The SSF Resource and Collaboration Hub (“SSF Hub”; https://ssfhub.org) is an interactive, multilingual website where users can access resources to support their fisheries and connect with people around the world to share experiences and advocate for prosperous, equitable, and resilient SSFs and communities.
Overall Function
The Intern will support the SSF Hub, by raising awareness of SSF priorities, calls-to-action, and engaging with an SSF Hub online community of SSF actors and supporters committed to strengthening SSFs. Over the course of the internship, the Intern will develop and hone their project management skills, work alongside EDF colleagues and our partners to grow the SSF Hub platform, implement SSF-focused campaigns, and develop content and communications materials for diverse audiences. The Intern will have the opportunity to engage with SSF Hub users around the world, as well as partnering NGOs and fishing organizations. By the end of the internship, the Intern will increase their familiarity with small-scale fisheries, food systems, and the broad set of issues SSF communities face.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Following intake discussions with supervisor to assess skills, interests, and career path, select focal project(s) and develop a work plan with milestones and desired outputs.
- Design and implement social media strategies to increase engagement on SSF Hub and associated social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X).
- Research key events, webinars, conferences, and learning exchanges that relate to small-scale fisheries and blue foods.
- Support the SSF Hub team with maintaining and growing the Resource Library, and coordinate with SSF Hub partners and users to add content to the platform.
- Participate in team meetings and check-ins and function as a fully integrated team member.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and/or demonstrated interest in environmental studies, communications, or international development.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in working with diverse groups.
- Language skills including, but not limited to French, Bahasa, Swahili, Portuguese, or Spanish are desirable but not required.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrates initiative and problem solving skills.
Fellowship 8: U.S. Federal Climate Innovation
Hybrid out of Washington, D.C. (preferred) or U.S. Remote
Program/Department Overview
In the U.S., EDF staff operate as experts, pragmatists, strategists, advocates and doers, as well as enablers of others. By focusing our efforts on accelerating the pace and durability of transformation during this decade, we are helping to build more just, equitable, healthy and resilient communities.
The U.S. Region, led by Joe Bonfiglio, is made up of six teams of talented EDFers working to create bold policies, climate smart regulations and political will in order to stabilize the climate, build thriving communities and sustain human health across the United States.
US Region Initiatives, led by Derek Walker, is home to many U.S.-focused projects including clean energy, domestic methane, state carbon markets, ZEVs, energy decarbonization, western water, smart agriculture and health. Staff nested here will pull together matrixed teams across EDF to execute our strategies on these organizational priorities. Within this division, the Federal Climate Innovation (FCI) Team is focused on designing and advancing federal policy for climate innovation that promotes rapid, safe, and equitable development and deployment of new climate technologies and solutions.
Overall Function
The FCI team has developed a tool called the Federal Climate Innovation Funding Tracker, a data visualization tool that combines a unique dataset of federal climate investment and dynamic visualization strategies to allow users to explore how much – and with what priorities – the US federal government invests in climate innovation. We seek an intern to help us deepen and expand the impact of this tool, bringing greater clarity to where key gaps can be solved by smart public policy, including by building out a dataset to better visualize climate innovation efforts across other federal agencies and/or otherwise expand the Tracker’s scope.
The role will report to the Policy Manager, Federal Climate Innovation. It will require extensive data analysis of federal spending, as well as careful consideration of congressional intent, federal implementation, program design, and the prioritization of key climate solutions. The work will be meticulous and thought-provoking, and it will provide nuanced exposure to innovation policy processes and how they translate into federal spending in different technology areas. The project will culminate in the expansion of the data visualization tool, translating the intern’s efforts into a dynamic and compelling deliverable.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Work with the FCI Team and external consultants to research levels of federal spending dedicated to innovation in different sectors and solutions, utilizing federal budget documents, appropriations numbers, and direct interviews with government officials and other expert to understand the objectives of key programs.
- Build new data into a Microsoft Excel dataset characterizing specific federal spending based on a variety of categorizations and synthesize key insights for EDF advocacy.
- Provide additional analytical support to the team as needed in a fast-paced and exciting environment.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated interest in federal policy and technological innovation.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to manage and analyze quantitative data (e.g., quantitative sciences, policy analysis).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to think creatively about collecting and categorizing data.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well-organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work collaboratively and proactively in a team setting and ability to work independently when projects are due.
- Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
Fellowship 9: Western Electricity Markets
Hybrid out of San Francisco or U.S. Remote
Program/Department Overview
EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. EDF has long been a leading voice on the design of U.S. climate policy and a champion of market-based solutions to environmental issues, including programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. We helped design the sulfur dioxide cap-and-trade program; were instrumental in passing and implementing California's emission trading system under its AB32 law; and played a lead role in the effort to pass comprehensive climate legislation in the U.S. Congress in 2009-2010. EDF's U.S. team continues to be at the center of this policy analysis and development, incorporating economic, scientific, and legal expertise to secure effective and equitable policy change at the state, federal, and regional levels to curb climate and conventional pollution. This work will support the Build to Zero Initiative and the Decarbonizing US Power workstream.
Overall Function
Reporting to the Director of the California Energy Program, this intern will support EDF’s engagements in fostering a western wide energy market. The intern will support technical, policy, and economic analysis. In addition to general support for the west-wide governance pathways initiative, the intern will support and have direct input into original work to be mutually agreed upon.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Research on electricity market structures and how to import best practices to the western electricity market.
- Support work with a diverse set of public interest stakeholders.
- Prepare notes and comment summaries to stakeholders.
- Support in conducting quantitative emissions and affordability research.
- Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and/or demonstrated interest in energy, economics, public policy, engineering or other related fields.
- Coursework in economics, public policy, energy or negotiations recommended.
- Experience in energy issues is preferred.
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due. • Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.
Eligibility:
For complete eligibility requirements, please review our program policies in its entirety.
Undergraduates and graduate students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Priority will be given to students who have completed fewer than two previous Cardinal Quarter opportunities.
Requirements:
Selected Fellows are expected to begin service on June 17, 2024 for a summer fellowship. All fellows are required to work with their community partners full-time (35-40 hours) for twelve consecutive weeks at their placements. Other commitments include the following:
Quarter before fellowship
- Complete an online program orientation.
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service workshop or worksheet.
- Attend Schneider Fellows cohort session(s)
- Identify and meet with an academic mentor at least once.
- Design a personal learning plan and share the learning plan with site supervisor and academic mentor.
- Complete all required pre-orientation forms.
During fellowship
- Submit a brief preliminary report.
- Submit a final report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with fellowship donor(s) as requested by fellowships program staff.
Quarter after fellowship
- Meet with academic mentor at least once.
- Participate in outreach activities to share the experience and help publicize the program.
Selection Process:
For those who seek assistance, advising is available at the Haas Center to help students develop their applications.
This fellowship is intended for individuals whose application, references, and interview demonstrate
- an integration of the fellowship experience with applicant’s academic, personal and/or career goals
- prior demonstrated interest or involvement in the subject area, including related coursework
- a compelling match between applicant’s skills and interests and an organization’s work and needs
- strong potential for the fellowship experience to deepen a candidate’s understanding of an identified community issue or challenge
Complete applications are screened, finalists interviewed, and fellows selected by our partner organizations with the intention to award fellowships within six weeks of the application deadline. Applicants should respond promptly (within 48 hours) via email to a fellowship offer, or the offer will be rescinded. Once an applicant accepts a fellowship offer, the student should promptly notify all other Stanford and non-Stanford programs to which they have applied that they have accepted another offer and to withdraw their candidacy.