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Program Development Intern

Environmental Defense Fund
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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 Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) welcomes 100+ interns annually and works with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a top-notch learning experience. Programming and support is a balance between internal stakeholders and external colleges/university partnerships. Interns follow fall/spring/summer cycles, with most interns joining EDF as part of the Summer Internship Program.  

The Summer Internship Program is a robust experience for interns who join EDF from all over the globe, bringing with them diversity of experiences, interests, personalities, and perspectives. The goal of the program is to develop intern professionalism in the workplace, expose them to EDF’s cutting-edge research, build a network, and foster a sense of community through social gatherings. The program is managed by EDF's Human Resources (HR) team. HR is focused on the heart of EDF's mission and is dedicated to providing a positive experience and support to all of EDF's staff in their important and effective work. 

 

Overall Function 

The intern will support program development with a focus on planning and executing events for the 2026 Summer Internship Program. They will assist with brainstorming, coordination, and communication to develop the program and support events and initiatives with summer interns to foster a sense of community with the entire cohort. The intern will gain significant understanding of how a global environmental non-profit operates and will have the ability to work with internal stakeholders within the HR team and across EDF to coordinate and increase engagement related to intern events. The intern will report to the Sr. Specialist, Interns and Fellows Programming and be an integral member of the Interns & Fellows team. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Be an integral member of the Interns and Fellows Program team and collaborate with internal stakeholders (intern mentors, speakers) to run the annual Summer Internship Program.  
  • 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. 
  • Support in the development and coordination of a structured learning program that includes professional development sessions, Speaker Series, Mentor Program, Intern Symposium, and engagement with leaders across EDF. 
  • Support in the planning and coordination of intern social events (remotely and in person) and National Intern Day celebration initiatives.  
  • Support in the designing and distribution of brand merchandise. 
  • Prepare onboarding and program materials including welcome packets, intern profiles, program presentations and calendars, Slack and email communications. 
  • Engage with peer interns and gather insights to enhance intern experience and support programming.  
  • Upkeep and track changes to project lists and other trackers using project management tools and Excel.  
  • Assist with ad-hoc projects related to EDF's Internship Program.  

 

Qualifications 

  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program. 
  • Demonstrated interest, experience, and/or coursework in non-profit management, program management, project management, event planning, human resources, or related field.  
  • Experience organizing and leading events for a student organization, volunteer program, or other leadership role preferred.  
  • Demonstrated interest in working in an environmental non-profit or learning about internal non-profit operations 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. 
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Canva.  
  • Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills. 

 

Location 

Hybrid out of an EDF office in New York, Washington DC, or San Francisco. Intern supervisor is in Michigan and team members are in Texas and Maryland. 

 

Term 

Spring and Summer 2026 (February – August). Intern must be available to start on February 2nd, 2026. 

 

Hours 

Part-time (15-20 hr/week) in the Spring; Full-time (35 hr/week) in the Summer. 

 

Compensation 

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

 

Application Materials 

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application. Job posting closes at 11:59 PM ET on Monday, December 22, 2025. Interviews will occur the last week of December 2025.