Requirements

Open to:

• Cornell Undergraduate Students
• Cornell Graduate/Professional Students

Key Responsibilities:
Tasks will include but are not limited to:

• Literature review/research to identify top climate-vulnerable regions in U.S./ North America and top climate-related threats to health in these locations.
• Literature review/ research to identify actions that local (city/ county), regional (MPO, COG, etc.) and state governments can take to address these threats (benchmark best practices).
• Evaluate feasibility/ appropriateness/ effectiveness of these actions for 2-4 priority, climate-vulnerable U.S. locations.
• Interview local government officials in 2-4 priority climate-vulnerable locations to document what they are doing (case studies) and identify opportunities, barriers/ challenges.
• Identify federal frameworks that affect local climate/ health policies and potential levers/ funding streams for promoting local actions.
• Assist EDF Climate and Health team with ongoing projects in partnership with local and regional government bodies.
• Participates in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in (or recent graduate of) an undergraduate program or currently enrolled in graduate program.
• Demonstrated interest in climate and health policy, including environmental justice and equity considerations around these topics
• Coursework in environmental policy, urban or transportation planning, public policy/ public administration, public health, climate resilience, environmental science, environmental health, transportation policy, energy policy, natural resource management, environmental engineering or similar topics.
• Highly proficient in conducting and synthesizing research from multiple disciplines with a policy lens.
• Experience working in or with local, regional or state government highly desirable.
• Familiarity with concepts around links between climate emissions, air pollution, climate change and health outcomes, as well as associated inequities.
• Familiarity with or experience working in federal or state agencies involved in environmental and infrastructure funding, such as EPA, DOT or similar.
• Experience and/ or coursework in urban planning, regional transportation planning or similar highly desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.

Location: Austin, Texas preferred; remote considered

Term: 10 weeks

Hours: Full-Time, 35 hours per week

Compensation: This internship will be fully funded through Cornell Atkinson; a $5,250 stipend is provided.

Application Materials: Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume together with a writing sample.

To be eligible, Cornell students must be returning to Cornell for the Fall 2022 Semester.

All proposal materials MUST be received by 11:59 PM ET on Monday, February 7th, 2022.