Carbon Capture Storage Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The U.S. has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. A key strategy the Biden Administration is relying on to achieve this goal is deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. According to the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), “carbon capture is a set of technologies that remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources and store it underground permanently.”  However, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies have been historically unsuccessful (with few exceptions), are unproven at the scale projected to meet 2030 climate goals, and offer a financial lifeline to the oil and gas industry through billions of dollars of federal incentives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL, 2021) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA, 2022).

Texas has been identified as a state that has some of the highest geological potential for sequestration of captured carbon. Texas is also the number one oil and gas producer in the US, making it a prime target of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). For example, ExxonMobil has proposed a $100 billion, government-subsidized carbon capture project in Houston. We anticipate that there will be an increasing number of projects proposed for Texas given the increased federal incentives offered. Not only will these projects fail to help avert the climate crisis, wasting time and taxpayer money, these projects pose significant risks to communities including groundwater contamination, asphyxiation and hypoxia from carbon pipeline ruptures, earthquakes, and air pollution. These risks are often inequitably concentrated in environmental justice communities that have already suffered prolonged exposure to fossil fuel pollution.

Air Alliance Houston (AAH) is the fiscal sponsor for this project. We are the longest-running advocacy non-profit organization in Houston/Harris County that is singularly focused on air pollution. We have been working since the mid-1980s to address the public health impacts of air pollution and advance environmental justice through research, education, and advocacy. We operate campaigns on all of the major sources of air pollution including the fossil fuel industry, transportation, and “backyard” polluters such as concrete plants. We are a 2023 Great Place to Work, a Best Place for Working Parents, a Mother-Friendly Worksite, and a Bike-Friendly Business. We have a Candid Platinum seal. We are a 501(c)3 charitable organization registered in the state of Texas; as such, neither AAH nor its contractors engage in political activity or significant lobbying efforts. We do not formally partner or accept funds from industry, energy companies, banks, or regulatory agencies. 

This contractor will report to the coalition steering committee composed of Air Alliance Houston (AAH); Clean Water Action; Coalition for Environment, Equity, and Resilience (CEER); Commission Shift; and Healthy Gulf.

Scope of Work

Project Management

• Calendar meetings with coalition partners in weekly or semi-monthly strategy meetings.

• Manage coalition tasks and timelines contributing to overall strategic goals.

• Communicate with coalition partners to ensure tasks are executed on time.

• Support the steering committee in securing necessary funds to support the campaign's activities.

Campaign Strategy

• Work with TX CCS Coalition and state and national allies to:

  • develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to oppose Class VI primacy and CCS projects in TX.

  • identify and prioritize key objectives and target audiences for the campaign.

  • create short-term and long-term goals to measure campaign success.

Grassroots Organizing and Outreach

• Establish and maintain relationships with local activists and community groups.

• Train and empower volunteers to take action and advocate against CCS in their communities.

• Support coalition members to:

• Mobilize and engage supporters, activists, and volunteers to participate in campaign activities.

• Recruit and develop a broad coalition of like-minded organizations, activists, and experts to fight proposed CCS projects.

• Organize rallies, protests, and public events to raise awareness and influence public opinion in Texas.

Communication and Media

• Collaborate with communications and policy staff at partner organizations to:

• Craft and disseminate persuasive messaging to highlight the potential drawbacks of CCS technologies.

• Develop and maintain the campaign's online presence, including information included on websites and social media accounts.

• Coordinate media outreach efforts, including press releases, op-eds, and interviews to gain media coverage.

• Create educational materials and resources to inform the public and policymakers about the potential risks of and alternatives to CCS.

Research, Education and Advocacy

• Stay updated on the latest developments in CCS technologies and the associated environmental, social, and economic impacts.

• Coordinate expert research reports on topics determined by the coalition.

• Schedule and prepare meeting materials for coalition members to educate policymakers and legislators about CCS facilities and policies.

• Monitor legislative developments and advocate for policies that align with the campaign's goals.

• Passion for environmental and climate issues and a commitment to the goals of the campaign.

• Familiarity with climate and energy policy and/or grassroots campaigns.

• Experience or training facilitating group meetings in a consensus-based decision making structure.

• Ability to deliver clear, concise, and diplomatic interpersonal communication in writing and verbally.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Exhibits organization, attention to detail, and effective time management.

• Project management and coordination experience.

• Cultural awareness and understanding of various demographic groups and geographic regions across Texas.

• Deep knowledge of CCS technologies and regulatory frameworks.

• Familiar with digital marketing and social media management.

• Experience crafting public-facing persuasive messaging for an advocacy campaign.

• Experience preparing fact sheets, social media posts, press releases, or research reports on a policy or advocacy topic.

• Demonstrated experience co-designing and winning grassroots advocacy campaigns and serving in a leadership role in coalitions.

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a related field (Environmental Science, Public Policy, Communications, or similar).

• Fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese, or another language commonly spoken in Texas other than English.

Submit a proposal along with a resume, cover letter, and professional writing sample to Jennifer Hadayia at jennifer@airalliancehouston.org, with the subject line: “Texas CCS Coalition Manager.” The proposal should include a 1 – 2 page written description or video presentation of your proposed approach to organizing the coalition given the tasks and roles listed above, a description of your philosophy and experience in coalition management, and a link or attachment to a coalition campaign plan or a grassroots campaign you have facilitated before.

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning March 18, 2024.

Applicants with a nontraditional career path or gaps in employment are encouraged to share knowledge, strengths, or skills they developed during this nontraditional experience in their cover letter, if desired.

We believe that corporate and institutional bad behavior disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society including people of color, people from lower wealth backgrounds, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of marginalized communities that are not listed here.

Air Alliance Houston (AAH) is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, family status, veteran status, medical condition, genetic background, or any protected category as prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Please no phone calls or emails inquires.