Application Guide

How to Apply for Summer 2026 Internal Communications Internship

at Earthjustice

๐Ÿข About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is unique as the nation's premier nonprofit environmental law organization, using the power of law and strategic partnerships to protect people's health, preserve wild places, and advance clean energy. Working here means contributing directly to landmark legal battles against climate change and environmental injustice, with a mission-driven culture centered on Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.

About This Role

This Internal Communications Internship focuses on maintaining and improving Earthjustice's internal knowledge platform (Atlas), ensuring staff have clear guidance and updated policies. You'll draft materials for content creators, post departmental information, and support ad-hoc updates, playing a key role in enhancing organizational efficiency and alignment with Earthjustice's mission.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking Atlas for pending updates, then drafting clear guidance documents for content creators or posting revised policies. You'll collaborate with the Internal Communications Program Manager on ad-hoc tasks, such as organizing departmental information, and participate in team meetings to align on Earthjustice's internal messaging priorities.

๐ŸŽฏ Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • A sophomore or junior (fall 2026) in communications, journalism, or a related liberal arts field with strong writing samples showcasing clarity and attention to detail.
  • Demonstrates practical experience with MS Office Suite (especially Word and SharePoint-like platforms) and an ability to organize and present information effectively.
  • Shows a genuine commitment to environmental justice through coursework, volunteer work, or previous internships, aligning with Earthjustice's core values.
  • Exhibits collaborative skills through group projects or team-based activities, with examples of adapting communication styles for different audiences.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with internal wikis, knowledge bases, or content management systems (like Atlas), even if from student organizations.

2

Include a writing sample that demonstrates policy drafting, instructional content, or clear explanatory writingโ€”avoid overly academic or creative pieces.

3

Research Earthjustice's recent legal cases (e.g., clean air or water lawsuits) and mention one in your application to show informed passion for their work.

4

Emphasize any remote collaboration experience, as this role is remote and requires strong self-management and digital communication skills.

5

Explicitly connect your values to Earthjustice's four core values (Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, Partnership) with brief, specific examples in your cover letter.

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why Earthjustice's mission resonates with you, citing a specific environmental issue or case they handle that aligns with your interests.", 'Detail your ability to draft clear, user-friendly materials (e.g., guides, policies) and manage content on platforms like Atlas or similar systems.', 'Provide an example of working collaboratively in a team, especially in a remote or hybrid setting, to achieve a shared goal.', 'Highlight your attention to detail, such as proofreading or organizing information, with a brief anecdote from past work or academics.']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Explore Earthjustice's 'Our Work' section to understand their key legal areas (e.g., climate change, healthy communities) and recent victories.
  • โ†’ Review their 'About Us' page to internalize their values (Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, Partnership) and how they're applied in campaigns.
  • โ†’ Look into their staff or blog posts about internal culture and remote work to gauge their communication style and team dynamics.
  • โ†’ Familiarize yourself with common internal comms tools like Confluence or SharePoint, as Atlas may function similarly.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you had to explain a complex policy or procedure in simple terms for a broad audience.
2 How would you ensure consistency and accuracy when updating multiple fields or pages on a platform like Atlas?
3 Discuss your experience working remotely in a teamโ€”what tools and practices help you stay connected and productive?
4 What does environmental justice mean to you, and how do you see internal communications supporting that mission at Earthjustice?
5 Walk us through your process for collecting and organizing information from different departments to post standard team details.
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Earthjustice's mission or valuesโ€”this role requires demonstrated alignment with their environmental focus.
  • Overemphasizing external communications or social media experience without tying it to internal knowledge management or policy drafting.
  • Failing to provide specific examples of attention to detail or collaboration in your application, as these are critical for Atlas updates and team-based work.

๐Ÿ“… 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

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Earthjustice!