Climate and Energy 2023 Fellowship Position-Remote

Overview:

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

FOE envisions a world where we live within the ability of the planet to sustain life, and in which all people live with dignity, health and equity. We believe that both environmental crises, as well as widespread social injustice, are intertwined symptoms of flawed ideological, economic and political systems that are violating peoples’ rights, perpetuating oppression, failing to meet the needs of people, and destroying the planet.

We believe that increasing racial diversity within environmental organizations is critical to the future success of our movement. Our Fellowship program is designed to increase the long-term effectiveness of FOE and the environmental movement by operating an inspiring and fulfilling fellowship program that builds skills and relevant job experience for people of color and members of underrepresented communities.

Arlie W. Schardt was a pioneering voice for the environment and witness to some of the most seminal events in American history as a Time magazine correspondent traveling with Martin Luther King while covering the civil rights movement. Throughout his peripatetic 50-year career, Schardt reported on and acted on behalf of social justice. Al Gore states, “Through his remarkably diverse career, Arlie Schardt lived a life of purpose and impact,” said the former Vice President. “He was a champion for civil rights and an early pioneer of the environmental movement. I valued greatly his commitment to public service and will always be grateful for the invaluable roles he played on my Presidential campaign.” Schardt joined Friends of the Earth (FOE), serving as Chairman of the Board from 2009 until June 2019 when he was named chair emeritus in honor of his service. According to Erich Pica, president of FOE, “Arlie was instrumental in tripling the size of the organization and broadening its mandate to combine his concerns for social and racial justice with environmentalism.”

About the Fellowship:

Each year, we welcome a cohort of five Fellows to work with us full-time for six months. This year the Fellowship program will be a remote position, with the possibility of an in-person retreat in the DC office if/when the offices re-open. Fellows are paid $20/hour and will receive a one-time stipend of $1,000.

Fellows are placed with our Communications, Economic Policy, Food & Agriculture, Climate & Energy, or Program teams. In addition to substantive work with the teams, the Fellowship program also includes networking and career development opportunities.

The fellowship begins in March 2023 and ends in September 2023.

About our Climate and Energy Justice Team and Fellowship Position:

The climate crisis is the definitive environmental issue of our time, but it will take more than just greenhouse gas-reducing technologies to address it.

The Climate & Energy Justice Team envisions energy systems that are ecologically balanced, centered on community self-determination, and that recognize and address systemic inequity. We seek to stop the exploitation of people and the environment by halting dirty energy production; ending fossil fuel subsidies; supporting a planned phase-out of fossil fuels; protecting public lands; and preventing climate disinformation.

Recognizing that there can be no climate justice without racial justice, we support energy systems that advance environmental justice, foster equitable relationships among and within nations, and secure clean energy access for all.

The fellow will become an integral member of our dynamic Climate and Energy Justice Team and gain valuable skills and experience in research, strategic campaign development, online and traditional media communications, corporate and non-profit engagement, and public outreach, education and organizing on the cutting edge of environmental advocacy.

The Fellow will work with the team in implementing environmental and climate justice campaigns relevant to the mission of Friends of the Earth.  Work within the Fellowship will focus on campaigns that engage impacted communities and organizations and FOE members in local, regional, and statewide environmental and climate justice issues and challenges.

This position will introduce the fellow to a wide range of colleagues in environmental, social justice and legislative arenas. The fellow will work in government, corporate and non-profit circles and has the opportunity to become familiar with how these different entities work.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities for each Fellowship varies, but typically Fellows:

• Perform research, writing and editing
• Assist with campaign, policy, and public advocacy
• Take part in outreach and communications efforts
• Help organize people and events
• Participate in strategy, planning, and campaign meetings

Qualifications:

No specific academic or professional experience is required, but we are looking for people who are passionate about the environment and/or social justice. An environmental background, and previous (volunteer or paid) experience in non-profit organizations, advocacy, political campaigns are pluses.

Qualified applicants must be:

• At least 18 years of age
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Committed to environmental and social justice
• Able to work well in team setting
• Motivated, and willing to learn and take initiative
• Able to use Microsoft Office suite products such as Excel and Word, and Google applications

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.