Internships

Photo credit: Bryan Jack Hurlbutt

Each Riverkeeper internship provides the individual with a strong field experience in which he or she is assigned responsibilities vital to the function of our work. All interns are considered an important and equal part of the team. We seek a group of 6-8 interns during the summer and smaller groups throughout the year to help our policy, litigation, development, and communications teams progress with their work.

We have begun recruitment for summer 2012 internships. Please read the below descriptions and send application materials to the appropriate person listed. Thank you for your interest in working with Riverkeeper!

• Summer 2012Hudson River Legal Internship

  Riverkeeper’s Hudson River program is seeking legal interns for the summer of 2012. Interns will gain in-depth and practical experience in the field of public-interest environmental law and play a critical role in helping Riverkeeper further our core mission, to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries by tracking down and stopping polluters. Interns will work closely with Riverkeeper staff attorneys and investigators—building cases, prosecuting polluters, and advocating for strong environmental policies in the Hudson River Watershed. Responsibilities may include preparing case briefings, drafting legal documents, conducting research, and investigating pollution reports.

  Among other assignments, interns will specifically assist staff attorneys in the following areas:

  • Case intake through Riverkeeper’s “watchdog” and patrol boat programs
  • Conduct legal research and provide support to HR Program director and staff attorney on our legal challenge to the license renewal of the Indian Point nuclear power plant
  • Assist in ongoing power plant permitting proceedings on power plant Clean Water Act permits
  • Support Riverkeeper’s work on community coalitions and task forces in New York City and the Hudson Valley

  Qualifications
  Riverkeeper prefers applicants who have completed at least two years of law school, although we will consider applications from exceptional first year law students. Applicants should ideally have a basic understanding of administrative law, and have exposure to federal environmental statutes, such as the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). We are looking for interns with strong legal research and writing skills, organized work habits and a passionate desire to advocate for clean water and ecosystem protection. We will strive to provide you with a valuable, rewarding work experience that is challenging, educational and fun.

  How to Apply
  Interested applicants should send a resume, writing sample and references to Phillip Musegaas, Hudson River Program Director, via e-mail at phillip@riverkeeper.org or postal mail to Riverkeeper, 20 Secor Road, Osssining, NY 10562. No calls please.

• Summer 2012Riverkeeper Internship (non-legal) -DEADLINE PASSED-

  Riverkeeper, New York’s leading clean water advocate, is seeking two motivated and talented interns for its 2012 summer internship program. The interns will provide support for all aspects of Riverkeeper’s operation, including administrative, outreach, and advocacy work. The student will also receive guidance in designing and completing an independent project throughout the course of his/her internship. Riverkeeper’s internship program provides the opportunity to work with an energetic, deeply committed and goal-oriented team of fundraisers, water quality and enforcement specialists, environmental attorneys and community organizers and to learn how not-for-profit organizations sustain their programs.

  SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE
  Outreach and Advocacy:

  • Table at summer festivals and events to educate the public about our cases and campaigns
  • Work directly with the Outreach Coordinator to fulfill merchandise orders and requests for educational presentations
  • Assist in the promotion of Riverkeeper’s events, cases, and campaigns

  General Administration:

  • Open direct mail responses, photocopy checks and enter gifts into database
  • Send donor membership gifts
  • Assist in the assembly of direct mail appeals to members
  • File gifts and maintain up-to-date member files
  • Provide additional support where necessary

  Independent Research Project:

  • In coordination with the Outreach Coordinator, the intern will work to identify and complete a longer term project that will impact Riverkeeper’s programs or mission in a meaningful way

  QUALIFICATIONS

  • Candidates should have a strong work ethic and the ability to commit to working for the term of the internship (minimum of 3 days per week for 9-12 weeks)
  • Candidates should also have strong verbal and written communication skills, be organized and detail oriented, and respect and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information
  • Proficiency in Word and Excel is required

  Please submit your cover letter, resume, and this downloadable recommendation form to Dana Gulley, Outreach and Development Coordinator, at dgulley@riverkeeper.org by Friday, March 23rd. Please include the phrase “SUMMER INTERNSHIP APPLICATION” in the subject line.