Climate Policy Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Be You.
At Duke, we celebrate individuality, curiosity, and the power of ideas to drive positive change. As the Administrative Intern (Policy & Legislative Research), you'll join a mission-driven team advancing evidence-based solutions to extreme heat and climate resilience. You'll collaborate closely with senior staff and contribute your analytical skills, academic training, and unique perspective to real-world policy work that spans local, state, and national contexts.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a research-intensive environment, values public service, and wants hands-on exposure to policy development during a period of active legislative engagement.
Be Bold.
You won't just observe HPIH's policy work-you'll help shape it. In this role, you'll engage directly with live research and legislative analysis that informs decision-makers and strengthens climate resilience strategies.
What You'll Do:
Research and synthesize state-level budget mechanisms, appropriations structures, and public finance instruments relevant to heat mitigation and climate resilience initiatives
Support legislative tracking and statutory analysis across priority states, applying established codebook frameworks to identify trends, gaps, and emerging policy models
Assist with literature reviews, background research, and memo drafting that support active policy development workstreams
Contribute to documentation, organization, and coordination tasks that enable multiple concurrent policy projects to move forward efficiently
Work closely with senior staff, gaining exposure to interdisciplinary policy research and government-facing analysis
Choose Duke.
At Duke, you'll find a collaborative academic and policy environment that values rigor, integrity, and impact. This internship offers:
Meaningful, hands-on experience in policy research and legislative analysis
Mentorship from experienced professionals working at the intersection of climate, public finance, and government
The opportunity to apply graduate-level training to real-world policy challenges
A culture that supports learning, inclusion, and bold thinking in service of the public good
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
Current enrollment in or recent completion of a graduate program in public policy, public administration, environmental policy, law, or a related field
Demonstrated experience in policy research, including use of legislative databases and government document sources
Working knowledge of state-level budget processes and public finance instruments
Experience with legislative analysis, including bill tracking and statutory interpretation
Foundational understanding of extreme heat mitigation, climate resilience, or environmental hazard management
Preferred Qualifications
Master of Public Policy (MPP) or equivalent advanced degree in progress or completed
Familiarity with heat action planning, hazard mitigation frameworks, or climate resilience policy
Experience supporting multi-stakeholder policy initiatives or government relations work
Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply now and bring your curiosity, commitment, and bold ideas to Duke-where policy research turns into real-world impact.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $18.00 to USD $22.84. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).