Groundwater Accounting Platform Intern

About

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.

Program/Department Overview
The Climate Resilient Water Systems (CRWS) workstream is dedicated to developing water management and policy solutions that balance water supply and demand and increases the resilience of water systems. EDF focuses on strong science, uncommon partnerships, and economically sensible approaches to develop and implement practical solutions that serve the water resource needs of people and the environment. EDF has established a reputation as both a trusted and credible partner with diverse stakeholders, governments, and water agencies; and as an advocate for transformational change in water policy and practices that incorporate ecosystem goals. The work currently is focused within Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas, with active exploration of new work in New Mexico and Oregon and a handful of other locations around the world.

Overall Function
The intern will support the development of the next phase of work for the Groundwater Accounting Platform. This work will involve contributing to research, planning, and documentation for a landscape analysis of existing water accounting activities under extreme weather conditions, as well as identifying potential land use change scenarios and supporting outreach and communications efforts. The intern will report to the Manager, Climate Resilient Water Systems and working closely with other members of the Water and broader EDF Agriculture, the Water and Food team, the Justice & Equity team, and select advisors and consultants. Alongside this team they will make significant contributions to help advance the Agriculture, Water and Food Impact program priorities for lasting environmental change.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Research on existing local water accounting programs and tools for cover cropping and demand management in California and other target states, including how data are used to inform those programs.
- Work with internal and external project teammates to document the range of local accounting practices and tools for various flood recharge crediting and market programs.
- Contribute to developing documentation for landscape analysis.
- Provide support to the team in learning unique water management policies and programs for pilot geographies
- 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.

Requirements

Qualifications
- Demonstrated interest in water management, water markets, decision support tools, or environmental communication
- Coursework or related experience in water resource management, economics, or science communication recommended.
- Experience in California water issues 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.

Benefits

Location
U.S. Remote with option to be hybrid out of an EDF office in Austin, TX, Boulder, CO, New York, NY, Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, D.C. Intern supervisor is in Arizona and many team members are in California, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, and Texas.

Term
Summer 2026 (10 Weeks)

Hours
Part-time (20 hr/week) or Full-time (35 hr/week)

Compensation
This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18-20/hr.

Application Materials
Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.
Learn more about internships at EDF - http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships

This role contributes to developing water management and policy solutions that balance water supply and demand, increasing the resilience of water systems to serve both people and the environment.

Required qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest in water management, water markets, decision support tools, or environmental communication
• Coursework or related experience in water resource management, economics, or science communication recommended
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Must be well organized, motivated, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines

Compensation: $18-20/hour (competitive with leading non-profits). This is a summer internship (10 weeks) with flexible hours (part-time 20 hr/week or full-time 35 hr/week).

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) focuses on developing practical environmental solutions through strong science, uncommon partnerships, and economically sensible approaches, with a reputation as a trusted partner for transformational change in water policy and practices.