Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

Earthjustice’s International Program is accepting applications for one part-time science extern for spring 2027. We are seeking graduate students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship. The successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from our San Francisco, CA office.

The International Program partners with legal organizations in Latin America, Africa, Australia, and Indonesia to establish, strengthen, and enforce national and international legal protections for the environment, climate, and public health. The extern can expect to learn about, among other things, the impacts of energy projects, how environmental litigation takes shape in different countries, and the latest research in various environmental fields, such as climate change and air quality.

What You’ll Do

Under the supervision of the Staff Scientist, the extern will 1) research and analyze energy projects and policies and draft memos summarizing their findings; 2) support efforts to compile and synthesize work across geographical teams; and 3) occasionally help with key litigation tasks such as cite checking.

What You’ll Bring

• Enrolled in a graduate environmental science (or related field) program with an expected graduation date between May 2027 and May 2028.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite and comfort navigating and learning new tools.
• Outstanding research skills, including ability to conduct scientific literature reviews and basic quantitative data analyses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex information to various audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.
• Must commit to at least 10 hours/week for 12-16 weeks.

Compensation:

Externs are unpaid and must receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement for their work with Earthjustice.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials by Friday, September 18 at 5:00pm PT via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 21 with offers extended no later than November 13.

• Resume.
• One-page cover letter that addresses: (1) Why you want to work with Earthjustice’s International Program, (2) Note the number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you will be able to work each week; (3) Confirm that you can earn academic credit from your school or that you will fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship; and (4) An indication of any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your ability to accept an offer.
• Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): (1) Proof of enrollment in your academic program (e.g., verification from your registrar’s office, unofficial transcript), and (2) Writing sample of up to 10 pages that illustrates the applicant’s ability to analyze an environmental issue. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others as well as whether artificial intelligence was used in the drafting or editing of your writing sample.
• Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references.

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.