Fall 2022 Science Externship – Sustainable Food & Farming Program

Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program is seeking a junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student for a part- or full-time (preferably full-time) science externship during fall 2022. The student must be eligible to receive course credit through their program for this role. This is a remote role, but the successful candidate may have the opportunity to visit the Earthjustice office nearest them.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters and citizens to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Our Sustainable Food & Farming Program is spearheading innovative strategies to reduce the climate, health, and environmental harms caused by industrial livestock and crop production, and to accelerate a shift to sustainable agriculture nationwide. We represent environmental organizations and consumer watchdogs as well as farmworkers and sustainable producers, grassroots organizations and environmental justice communities. The extern will join a team working to improve our nation’s food system, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities, incentivizing climate-friendly practices, regulating pollution from industrial animal facilities, and ensuring safer farming practices for farmers, farmworkers, communities, and consumers.

The success of our advocacy often relies on the strength of the underlying scientific evidence. The extern will work directly with our staff scientist and lawyers to conduct critical research in support of litigation and advocacy on a variety of issues. The extern will play a role in collecting, synthesizing, and summarizing factual research in support of select matters. In addition, we would work with the extern to develop a long-term research project based on the extern’s interests and the program’s priorities.

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of staff scientists:

· Conduct scientific and technical research to support litigation and advocacy.

· Summarize research findings relevant to Earthjustice advocacy in writing.

· Review, analyze, and summarize regulations, environmental planning documents, technical support documents and other scientific and technical information to support litigation and advocacy.

· Draft and fact-check scientific and technical information in fact sheets, press releases, blogs, news articles, slides, reports, and other materials for internal use or external use with clients, coalitions, the media, and others.

· Organize scientific information for use by lawyers.

Qualifications:

· Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, preferably in ecology, environmental science, or a similar field, and preferably a junior or senior.

· Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.

· Must be available a minimum of 12 hours per week.

· Passion for the environment and commitment to environmental advocacy are essential.

· Ability to efficiently identify, evaluate, and synthesize scientific and technical information that is both scientifically sound and compelling for non-scientific audiences.

· Ability to conduct literature reviews and basic quantitative analyses.

· Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

· Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.

· Interest in contributing to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Compensation:

Science 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 May 15, 2022 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

· Resume

· Cover letter

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants may receive updates about their candidacy for this role immediately and through mid-June.

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.

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