Mining Policy Fellow

Earthworks is hiring a Mining Policy Fellow. The purpose of this fellowship is to provide an opportunity for candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds and communities to gain work experience in the environmental advocacy space. Recent graduates and entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply.

This is a temporary position with an anticipated August 2025 start date. The Fellow will work full-time (40 hours per week) for sixteen weeks, tentatively from August 25 through December 12.

Mining threatens communities and ecosystems around the world. 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 People, including their right to say no to mining.

The Fellow will join the mining and policy teams and become an essential part of advancing Earthworks’ agenda before international bodies/agencies, US legislators, allied organizations, and the public. Working closely with other mining, policy, and communications staff, the Fellow will assist our coalition work to advance high-bar international mining standards and track public financing within the mineral supply chain.

This position reports to the Director of Talent and Equity and is housed on the Mining and Policy Teams. The Tailings Campaign Manager and Senior Policy Counsel will serve as project managers for the Fellow’s work.

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.

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.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Strong attention to detail
• 1-3 years of experience working in a related advocacy, research, or organizer role (may include internships, volunteer/community work, and/or coursework)
• Ability to work effectively both individually and with a fully remote team
• Ability to summarize complex information into more easily understood content
• Creative and strategic thinker
• Multicultural competence and a commitment to working with people from a variety of backgrounds, especially ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of the impacts of mining on people and environments
• Familiarity with global norms, commitments, standards and policies relevant to the mining sector (UNGPs, OECD Guidelines for MNEs on Responsible Business Conduct, UNDRIP, ILO 169, EU Batteries Regulation, IRMA Standard, etc.)
• Experience analyzing and communicating about legal and policy information

Location, Travel, and COVID-19

Location for this position is remote in the United States, and applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Some travel may be required for certain positions. Employees who are unable to travel/attend in-person meetings for health or disability reasons may request accommodations. Earthworks’ COVID-19 policies prioritize the health and safety of our employees and the need to minimize the public health threat from COVID-19.

Earthworks requires all those hired to provide proof of full vaccination (vaccination and booster) against COVID-19. New hires who have disabilities that make the vaccine medically inadvisable or those who have a sincere religious belief that the vaccine is impermissible may request an accommodation by contacting Lezlie Griffin, Director of Talent and Equity, at lgriffin@earthworks.org. Accommodation will be provided only as required by applicable law.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a temporary, full-time (40 hours a week), sixteen week position for the tentative dates of August 25 through December 12. The compensation for this position is $1,840 per two week pay period. This is not a benefits eligible position, but the Fellow will be eligible for paid time off, pursuant to Earthworks holiday and leave policies. Additionally, the Fellow will receive mentorship and professional development support throughout the fellowship.

Bargaining Unit Status

Earthworks is a union workplace; our employees are represented by Earthworkers Unite/Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

How to Apply

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.

Apply online at https://www.careers-page.com/earthworks-2/job/L8WRW793 including a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. The application deadline is July 13, 2025. No emails or phone calls please.

Qualified applicants can expect to complete three interview stages: an initial phone interview, a virtual panel interview, and a virtual final interview. We’ll also request a list of three professional references during the interview process.