Job Description:
Interns will assist Russian Riverkeeper’s Policy Director & Staff Attorney and Deputy Director in advocating for the health and protection of the Russian River Watershed, while working remotely. Projects will include researching issues for potential litigation and advocating through policy work to help further watershed governance.
The position is designed to provide a wide range of policy, legal, programmatic, and administrative experience relating to environmental issues of state and national significance, as well as issues relating to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Interns will be expected to provide detailed legal research, writing, and general support for our ongoing advocacy work. The internship program covers a diverse range of issues affecting our watershed, from the public trust doctrine and California water rights to the Clean Water Act and is a wonderful opportunity for both master and law students dedicated to environmental law and policy to get hands-on experience at a small, environmental non-profit.
Both part-time and full-time internships are currently available with pay. Part-time internships are generally for 15-20hrs each week for approximately 12 weeks. Full-time internships are generally for 32-40hrs each week for approximately 12 weeks. All internships will coincide with the academic calendar and exact dates will be discussed during the interview process. No educational credits are currently being offered. Compensation will be $23 per hour.
Learning Experiences:
If chosen to intern with Russian Riverkeeper, you will become engaged in a variety of watershed issues and learn how on-the-ground advocacy is used to effect environmental change. Some ways you will learn and gain new experience is through:
- Practical experience working at a well-established environmental non-profit.
- First-hand interactions and knowledge from working with local, regional, and state agencies.
- Experience in researching and writing internal legal & policy memos for a variety of timely water and climate related issues.
- Experience writing newsletter articles about complex water issues in lay terms and communicating ideas to a variety of audiences.
- Opportunity to provide oral comments before local, regional, and state agencies, as well as local governments.
- Opportunity to provide written comments to regional and state water boards for upcoming water quality permits, enforcement actions, and other policy programs.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should apply by submitting the following documents to jobs@russianriverkeeper.org with the subject line: RRK Internship Program. Application deadline is November 30, 2025.
Please submit all documents in pdf format with the following naming convention: last name_file type_current year. For example, Ginsburg_writing sample_2021.
Cover Letter
Be sure to include things like:
- Why are you interested in interning with Russian Riverkeeper?
- What past experience and knowledge do you have that may be useful to yourinterning with Russian Riverkeeper?
- What is your preferred intern-type (i.e., part or full-time)?
- Contact information (i.e., email & phone number)
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript
- Legal or Policy Writing SampleApplications are reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, with early applications preferred. All applications will be anonymized before review by the Policy Director & Staff Attorney and Deputy Director. Only once potential candidates have been selected for an interview will any identifying information be revealed. Those chosen for interviews will be contacted to set up a date and time for a zoom meeting.Required Qualifications:
- Open to any law students, as well as legal and environmental master students, currently in good-standing at their school.
- Qualified candidates should possess strong writing, research, legal analysis, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to environmental conservation and other experience relevant to Russian Riverkeeper’s mission is preferable.
- Ability to perform obligations remotely, in a timely and efficient manner.
Join us in our mission to protect and preserve the Russian River for future generations!