Application Guide

How to Apply for Fall 2026 Science Internship – Washington, DC Regional Office

at Earthjustice

🏢 About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization, known for winning landmark legal battles to protect the planet. Working here means using science to drive real-world change, from holding polluters accountable to shaping federal policy. It's a mission-driven environment where your research directly impacts court cases and regulatory decisions.

About This Role

As a Science Intern in the Washington, DC Regional Office, you'll conduct scientific research to support Earthjustice's advocacy before federal agencies and courts. You'll contribute to comment letters, factsheets, and blog posts that influence environmental policy. This role is impactful because your work helps translate complex science into powerful legal arguments.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing recent scientific publications or agency documents to inform a comment letter on a proposed EPA rule. You could then analyze data from environmental health studies, draft a factsheet for a legal team, and attend a meeting with attorneys to discuss how science supports an ongoing case. The work is varied, collaborative, and directly tied to real-world impact.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • A graduate student in environmental science, biology, chemistry, engineering, or public health with a focus on environmental health topics like epidemiology or toxicology.
  • Proven ability to conduct thorough scientific literature reviews and analyze quantitative data (e.g., using R, Python, or Excel).
  • Excellent writing skills, with experience distilling scientific findings for non-scientific audiences (e.g., in policy briefs or blogs).
  • Passionate about environmental justice and climate change, with an interest in how science informs legal and regulatory advocacy.

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Tailor your resume to highlight research projects that involved literature reviews, data analysis, and writing for policy or public audiences.

2

In your cover letter, mention a specific Earthjustice case or campaign where science played a key role (e.g., Clean Air Act litigation or PFAS regulation).

3

Demonstrate your ability to communicate science to non-experts by including a writing sample like a policy brief or blog post.

4

If you have experience with federal agencies (EPA, NOAA, DOI), emphasize that—it's directly relevant to this role.

5

Show familiarity with the Washington, DC policy landscape, even if remote; mention any interest in working with Congress or federal agencies.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Explain your specific interest in environmental law and how your scientific background can support legal advocacy.', "Highlight any experience with environmental health topics (e.g., toxicology, risk assessment) and how it applies to Earthjustice's work.", 'Mention your ability to synthesize complex scientific information into clear, actionable documents for legal teams and policymakers.', "Express enthusiasm for Earthjustice's mission and note a specific issue (e.g., climate change, environmental justice) you're passionate about."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Earthjustice's website to understand their current litigation areas, especially cases involving science (e.g., climate, clean air, toxic chemicals).
  • → Review recent comment letters or legal petitions filed by Earthjustice's DC office to see how they use scientific evidence.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key federal agencies and laws relevant to the role, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EPA, and FERC.
  • → Look into Earthjustice's work on environmental justice, as that is a growing priority and may come up in the application.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach a literature review on a new environmental health topic (e.g., the health impacts of a specific pollutant)?
2 Describe a time you had to communicate a scientific concept to a non-scientific audience. What was the outcome?
3 What experience do you have with quantitative data analysis? Can you give an example of a dataset you've worked with?
4 How do you stay current on environmental science and policy issues? Which recent federal regulations or court cases interest you?
5 Why are you interested in working at Earthjustice specifically, and how does this internship fit into your career goals?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Earthjustice or specific environmental issues—this shows lack of genuine interest.
  • Focusing only on academic achievements without demonstrating practical research or communication skills relevant to advocacy.
  • Ignoring the remote nature of the role; make sure to address how you'll stay engaged and collaborate effectively from a distance.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Earthjustice!

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