Human Rights Internships Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

At Our Children’s Trust, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our Children’s Trust believes that diversity and inclusion is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people. 

Our Mission:

Our Children's Trust is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides strategic, campaign-based legal services to youth from diverse backgrounds to secure their legal rights to a safe climate. We work to protect the Earth's climate system for present and future generations by representing young people in global legal efforts to secure their binding and enforceable legal rights to a healthy atmosphere and stable climate based on the best available science. We support our youth clients and amplify their voices before the third branch of government in a highly strategic legal campaign that includes targeted media, education, and public engagement to support the youths' legal actions. Our legal work – guided by constitutional, public trust, human rights laws, and the laws of nature – aims to ensure systemic and science-based climate recovery planning and remedies at federal, state, and global levels.  We seek legally-binding, countrywide and/or statewide science-based Climate Recovery Plans that will return atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to levels below 350 ppm by the year 2100.

Position Summary:

This is a voluntary, unpaid internship that will provide general support for OCT's strategic work in Washington, DC. There may be opportunities to work on Capitol Hill if you are located near or visiting DC.

Government affairs interns will directly support OCT's legal efforts in federal actions, including the constitutional and public trust climate cases filed against the federal government: Lighthiser v. Trump. and Venner v. EPA. Interns will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and potentially other cases. OCT relies heavily on interns for support, placing a premium on careful, accurate, and self-directed work. We are seeking experienced interns with excellent research, writing, and communication skills, and who are responsive, work independently, take initiative, are flexible and think creatively to find solutions. Previous political campaign experience is a plus.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Assist supervisor in advancing OCT's strategic legal campaign to compel government action to implement science-based climate recovery policies at all levels of the federal government. 
• Correspond and educate members of Congress and their staff on the disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis on the health, economic opportunity, and fundamental rights of children and the urgent demand for a climate recovery plan - a return atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to levels below 350 ppm by the year 2100 - to stabilize the planet. Secure cosponsors for the congressional resolution recognizing Children's Fundamental Rights to Life and a Stable Climate System. Track and perform legislative profiles and analysis on members of Congress. Join supervisor in virtual meetings with members of Congress, independently speak to staff members or act as team lead with youth groups. Coordinate virtual meetings with staff. Draft communications and advocacy materials. Perform outreach with organizations to garner endorsements to the resolution.
• Manage and update multiple spreadsheets. Track climate and energy legislation and analyze the political landscape. Track legislative hearings, draft submissions of materials to the record, and take notes on relevant hearings. Identify opportunities for OCT to engage or share materials with members of Congress and staff.
• Assist in garnering congressional and organizational support for amicus curiae briefs in support of the federal case.
• Assist supervisor in identifying and making inroads with the administration in support of OCT's work. Perform research. Track, perform profiles and analysis on administrative officials. Identify opportunities for OCT to engage or share materials with the administration.
• Build relationships and engage student and organizational partners in our campaigns through the Climate Rights Corps.
• Track tasks to ensure accountability as assignments can require a short turnaround given the fast-paced nature of the work. Brief supervisor on the progress of tasks in daily to weekly conversations via Zoom, email, and phone. Attend and take notes at stakeholder meetings and weekly meetings with OCT attorneys and staff, if available. 
• Create a more diverse movement by identifying and networking with diverse allies in the legislative and executive branch and young leaders in BIPOC organizations and communities. 
• Opportunities for career development discussions will be provided.

Time Commitment:

Positions can be full time or part time, and can be completed remotely. Preference will be given to students who can commit to working longer hours per week. The majority of hours are preferred to be worked during normal business hours 9:00 - 5:00 pm EST, depending on your time zone. Extra hours may be requested during key events, including a congressional resolution introduction or youth outreach events.

Compensation:

Internships are unpaid; however, Our Children's Trust is willing to support students in securing outside funding or academic credit for their work. OCT is an equal opportunity employer and committed to fostering diversity and inclusiveness among our staff and interns. People of color, women, LGBTQ+, and people of different faiths and national origin are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

Please complete our online application including resume and cover letter. 

This is an unprecedented opportunity for students and/or recent graduates to be part of a cutting-edge strategy to address the climate crisis.