Pesticide and Pollinators Intern

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment.  Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are sustainable and safe for our health and the environment, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them. This work is carried out by our team of staff in our Berkeley, California and Washington, D.C. offices, and remote locations.

Friends of the Earth’s Food and Agriculture program works to rapidly transition our food system to one that is regenerative, healthy and just. We seek three fundamental shifts in our food system: from industrial and chemical-intensive to ecologically regenerative; from corporate-controlled to democratically governed; and from a system that embodies the deepest inequities in our society to one that advances social justice and fulfills the needs of all eaters now and into the future. We achieve success through a systems-based approach that weaves together market change and policy advocacy supported by intersectional organizing, cutting-edge science and strategic communications.

Project Description

We are seeking to hire a talented and dedicated intern to help support Friends of the Earth’s BeeAction campaign. The position will support the BeeAction policy and markets campaigns and initiatives that focus on education, organizing and building power to eliminate the use of people and pollinator-toxic pesticides, protect pollinators and advance a sustainable and just food system.

The intern will become an integral member of our dynamic Food and Agriculture Team and gain valuable skills in research, campaign development, corporate and non-profit engagement, education and organizing.

This position will introduce the intern to a wide range of colleagues in environmental, social and food justice and legislative arenas. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about interactions between non-profits, corporate entities and government offices.

Essential Functions

• Support implementation of strategic campaign plans (including research, outreach, public education, online and offline organizing and social media) in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Campaigner.
• Conduct research and analysis to develop factsheets, web content and other campaign materials on pollinator health, food, agriculture and pesticides to educate allies, opinion leaders, policymakers, the press and the public and to inform policy proposals.
• Assist in planning and coordinating virtual events such as Congressional briefings, webinars, press conferences and lobby days.
• Develop social media and other outreach materials and action guidelines for partners and members to aid state and federal policy campaigns and weeks of action
• Help draft action alerts to mobilize Friends of the Earth members to express support for our policy priorities and grow the list of legislative champions for Friends of the Earth policy priorities
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED.
• A demonstrated commitment to the environment and social and racial justice.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and basic Microsoft programs.
• A highly motivated, quick learner who is able to take initiative and work independently.
• All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. FOE does not sponsor any employment related visas. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic or volunteer experience with campaigns, legislative and political work.
• A background in environmental issues, environmental science and public policy.
• Experience and familiarity with collecting, analyzing and summarizing reliable research.

This is a paid, full-time internship. Intern must be able to work 37.5 hours per week at a rate of $15/hour, and the intern must be able to commit at least 3 months.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.