Non-profit Organizations · 1,001 to 5,000 employees
We are Environmental Defense Fund, a leading environmental nonprofit focused on stabilizing the climate while helping build strong and healthy communities. Our game-changing solutions put people at the center of everything we do.
Communities, governments, NGOs and businesses invite us to the table because our people find innovative solutions to the climate crisis. We work where we can make the biggest impact: fighting climate change, saving rainforests, supporting community-led clean air efforts and more.
We bring team members together from a wide range of backgrounds. We are defined by our collective optimism, perseverance and ingenuity — and we are united in our mission. Learn more: https://www.edf.org/our-mission-and-values
The intern will support recruitment efforts and the full recruiting lifecycle, including data tracking and candidate experience management.
Additionally, they will assist in the program development and coordination of the 2027 Summer Internship Program to foster community among interns.
What you need
Candidates must be currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a graduate degree program in human resources, nonprofit management, or related fields.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and excellent communication skills are required.
EDF 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.
Location
Hybrid out of an EDF office in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Boulder, Raleigh, San Francisco, or Austin, with option to be U.S. Remote. Intern supervisor is in Michigan and other team members are in Texas and Maryland.
Term
Part-time in Spring 2027 and Full-time in Summer 2027 (February-August).
Hours
Part-time (20 hr/week) in Spring, Full-time (35 hr/week) in Summer.
Application Materials
Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.
Program/Department Overview
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) welcomes 100+ interns annually and works with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a top-notch learning experience. The Interns & Fellows team, which sits within EDF’s Human Resources (HR) department, supports the full life-cycle of interns and fellows at EDF. This includes recruitment, hiring, onboarding, programming, offboarding, alumni engagement, and more. EDF’s Summer Internship Programs aims to develop intern professionalism in the workplace, expose early career professionals to EDF’s cutting-edge research, build a network, and foster a sense of community through social gatherings. HR is focused on the heart of EDF's mission and is dedicated to providing a positive experience and support to all of EDF's staff in their important and effective work.
Overall Function
The intern will play a vital role in supporting recruitment efforts and program development for early career engagement at EDF. The intern will work closely with the team on the full recruiting lifecycle contribute to quality candidate experience, and perform data tracking and reporting The intern will also support program development of the 2027 Summer Internship Program, including program management, event coordination, and communication to foster a sense of community among interns. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about projects and programs led by the team and work on specific topics based on their skillset, interests, and career goals. The intern will report to the Sr. Specialist, Interns & Fellows Programming, work closely with the HR team, and collaborate with a variety of internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
Learn to use Workday Recruiting system to support job postings, job requisition management, and maintain accurate candidate and recruiting data.
Assist with planning, logistics, and execution of programs and events for the Summer Internship Program, including Speaker Series, Mentorship Program, Social Events, Intern Symposium, and National Intern Day.
Help build and maintain talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs.
Partner with recruiters and hiring teams to learn role requirements, business needs, and internship expectations.
Provide programmatic and administrative support related to intern and alumni engagement, as needed.
Contribute to recruitment and program-related special projects and process improvement projects, based on interest and skillset.
Prepare onboarding and program materials including welcome packets, intern profiles, program presentations and calendars, Slack and email communications.
Upkeep and track changes to project lists and other trackers using project management tools (Asana) and Excel.
Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
Qualifications
Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a graduate degree program in human resources, nonprofit management, student affairs, communications, organizational development/leadership and/or related fields.
Demonstrated interest in working in an environmental non-profit, recruiting, early-career development, and/or internal non-profit operations preferred.
Ability to work in a confidential capacity and prioritize safety of personal data and sensitive information.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability and willingness to learn new tools and systems preferred.
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 all cultures and backgrounds.
Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.
Compensation
This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $20/hour.
Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships