Summer Intern, Policy and Government Affairs: Climate and Energy
Emerson Collective
Internship
On-site
Washington, United States
Overview
Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world.
Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, undergraduate students graduating in 2026 - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED.
We’re looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration.
The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10–12. See below for more details.
Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.
The Opportunity
The Policy and Government Affairs team leads all policy work across Emerson Collective.
As the Climate and Energy intern, you’ll support our efforts to drive pragmatic, bipartisan, and economically sustainable climate solutions through policy research, legislative tracking, meeting support, and event coordination. This role offers a hands-on introduction to how policy, philanthropy, and cross-sector coordination work in tandem to drive real-world climate impact. Ideal candidates should possess excellent written, research, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with teams in different time zones.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Conduct background research and assist in developing briefing materials that inform team discussions, strategy sessions, and upcoming projects. Help prepare internal updates and grantee partnership documents.
- Monitor and summarize federal and state policy developments, hearings, and administrative actions related to clean energy and climate; help track legislation and executive initiatives that may impact Emerson’s priorities.
- Assist with morning news recaps, scheduling, meeting preparation, note-taking, and meeting follow-up; help maintain organized systems for files, notes, and project materials to support team efficiency.
- Support planning and logistics for climate and clean energy events.
- Support coordination and communication with partners, policymakers, and collaborators; assist in tracking engagement.
Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements
- Rising undergraduate junior or senior, or recent 2026 graduate, preferably pursuing a degree related to climate and energy or policy and government affairs, with a demonstrated interest in climate issues.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex policy or technical information into clear, actionable insights.
- Strong writing skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Familiarity with Google Workspace (ideally, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms), PowerPoint, and Canva (or other graphic design tools), and an interest in learning new organizational tools and systems (including AI tools).
- Proactive problem-solving skills and willingness to support a variety of team needs as they arise.
- Professionalism, reliability, and curiosity about how policy, philanthropy, and partnerships drive federal and state climate impact.
Internship Details
Compensation
- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).
- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.
- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.
Key Dates
- November 18 – January 6: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis
Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 6.
(Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)
- January 12 – March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended
- June 10–12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation
- June 15: Internship program begins
- August 7: Internship program concludes
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.