Application Guide

How to Apply for Summer 2026 Public Affairs & Communications Internship (Undergraduate)

at Earthjustice

🏢 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 to high-impact legal battles that directly combat climate change and environmental injustice, offering a chance to be part of meaningful systemic change rather than just advocacy.

About This Role

This internship involves supporting communications campaigns that amplify Earthjustice's legal victories and environmental narratives, directly influencing public perception and policy debates around climate issues. You'll translate complex legal and scientific information into compelling public-facing materials, making environmental law accessible and actionable for media and the public.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing morning news alerts on climate policy, then drafting a press release for an upcoming court filing. You could join a virtual team meeting to brainstorm messaging for a new campaign, followed by updating a media tracking report on coverage of Earthjustice cases. The day might end with proofreading an op-ed draft or researching narrative trends for an internal briefing.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • A current undergraduate (sophomore-junior-senior in fall 2026) who can articulate specific examples of their commitment to environmental justice, not just general interest in 'sustainability'.
  • Someone with demonstrated ability to track and analyze news trends—perhaps through a campus publication, blog, or class project focused on climate/energy media coverage.
  • A detail-oriented writer who can show samples of persuasive writing (op-eds, press materials, or even well-researched academic papers) that simplify complex topics.
  • A collaborative learner comfortable with digital tools, possibly with experience using media monitoring platforms (like Meltwater or Cision) or basic design software alongside MS Office.

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with media tracking, campaign support, or environmental writing—even from class assignments or club newsletters.

2

In your materials, use specific Earthjustice cases (e.g., their work on clean air standards or protecting public lands) to show you've researched their legal strategy, not just their mission.

3

Demonstrate your 'working knowledge of MS Office' by submitting error-free, well-formatted documents (e.g., a PDF resume with clean formatting, no typos).

4

If you have portfolio samples, include a link to writing that shows ability to adapt tone—e.g., a factual press release versus an opinion piece.

5

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

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your understanding of Earthjustice's unique model: using litigation and law to drive environmental change, not just advocacy or awareness.", 'Specific examples of your writing or research skills related to climate/energy issues, even from academic work.', "How you've collaborated in team settings (e.g., group projects, volunteer work) and your approach to inclusive partnership.", 'Why remote work suits you for this role—mention tools or methods you use to communicate and stay organized virtually.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Recent Earthjustice legal victories and how they were communicated publicly (check their 'Press Releases' and 'Victories' website sections).
  • → The specific work of their Public Affairs & Communications team—look for staff bios or recent campaigns like 'Beyond Coal' to understand their style.
  • → Earthjustice's current strategic priorities (e.g., clean energy, environmental justice communities) from their annual report or strategic plan.
  • → Key environmental law and policy terms relevant to their cases (e.g., 'National Environmental Policy Act', 'environmental justice screening tools').

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you had to simplify a complex topic for a general audience—how did you decide what details to include or omit?
2 How would you track and report on media coverage for a specific Earthjustice case, like their litigation against fossil fuel infrastructure?
3 What emerging climate or energy narrative have you noticed in recent news, and how might Earthjustice's communications team engage with it?
4 Tell us about a team project where you had to incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders—how did you ensure alignment?
5 How do you prioritize tasks when supporting multiple campaigns or deadlines in a remote setting?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic materials that don't mention Earthjustice's legal focus or specific cases—shows lack of research.
  • Overemphasizing passion for the environment without concrete examples of writing, research, or analytical skills required for the role.
  • Poor attention to detail in application materials (e.g., typos, formatting errors, or addressing the wrong company) contradicts the 'excellence' value.

📅 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 Earthjustice!

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