Application Guide

How to Apply for Strategic Communications Intern

at The Environmental Defense Fund

🏢 About The Environmental Defense Fund

The Environmental Defense Fund stands out for its pragmatic, science-driven approach to environmental advocacy, leveraging partnerships and market-based solutions rather than purely activist tactics. Working here offers the chance to contribute to tangible environmental progress while collaborating with experts across science, policy, and communications globally.

About This Role

This Strategic Communications Intern will directly support political advocacy efforts by researching climate messengers and Hispanic media markets, while assisting the Communications Director with state-level communications. The role is impactful because it helps amplify EDF's messages through authentic storytellers and validators, directly influencing environmental policy discussions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching climate validators for an upcoming state campaign, drafting communications materials for Political Affairs teams, and analyzing Hispanic media coverage of environmental issues. You'd likely collaborate with the Communications Director on messaging strategies while developing your final project around storytellers and media markets.

🚀 Application Tools

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🎯 Who The Environmental Defense Fund Is Looking For

  • A graduate student or recent graduate with demonstrated coursework or projects in political communications, environmental policy, or Hispanic/Latinx media studies
  • Someone who can point to specific research projects analyzing messengers, validators, or media markets (not just general writing/research experience)
  • A candidate with basic proficiency in Canva and WordPress who can create visual content and manage digital communications
  • An individual with genuine interest in how political affairs intersect with environmental communications, evidenced by relevant academic or volunteer work

📝 Tips for Applying to The Environmental Defense Fund

1

Include a writing sample that demonstrates research on environmental messengers, validators, or Hispanic media markets - not just general writing

2

Explicitly mention any experience with state-level politics or advocacy in your resume, as this role supports Political Affairs communications in states

3

Highlight specific projects where you used Canva or WordPress for communications purposes, not just listing them as skills

4

Reference EDF's specific approach of 'science, partnerships, and market-based approaches' in your materials to show you understand their methodology

5

If you have experience with environmental justice communities or storytellers, emphasize this since the role focuses on lived experiences supporting advocacy

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific research experience analyzing messengers, validators, or media markets (with concrete examples)', 'Understanding of how communications supports political advocacy at the state level', "Interest in EDF's unique blend of science, partnerships, and market-based approaches to environmental solutions", 'How your skills in Canva/WordPress could contribute to their digital communications needs']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → EDF's current state-level political campaigns and their communications strategies
  • → Recent EDF reports or initiatives that used storytellers or validators to amplify messages
  • → EDF's partnerships with other organizations and how they leverage these in communications
  • → The organization's work in Hispanic/Latinx communities and their existing media engagement

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a research project you've conducted on environmental messengers or validators and what you learned
2 How would you approach researching the Hispanic media market for environmental advocacy?
3 What do you know about EDF's current state-level political advocacy efforts?
4 Can you discuss a time when you helped amplify someone's lived experience through communications?
5 How do you see market-based approaches complementing traditional environmental advocacy?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic environmental passion without specific knowledge of EDF's science-and-market approach
  • Focusing only on federal policy when the role emphasizes state-level political affairs
  • Treating 'storytellers' as abstract concept rather than real people with lived experiences to amplify

📅 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!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Environmental Defense Fund!

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