Environmental Law Internship Announcement

POSITION(s):  Environmental Law Internship

REPORTS TO:  Executive Director (ED)

HOURS:  30-40 hours per week

Start Date:  Flexible but no later than June 1, 2025

Duration:  Flexible with a minimum commitment of 10 weeks is required

Location:  Hybrid, with occasional office days on Tuesdays at 800 Vinial Street, Suite B314, Pittsburgh, PA  15212

The intern will receive a stipend of $5000 on completion of the internship. 3RWK will complete any paperwork or requirements for any interns seeking class credit or externship credit. Additional perks to the position include access to kayaks and safety gear, opportunities for collaboration among multiple local nonprofits, and access to The Waterkeeper Network – a global organization that advocates for cleaner waters. Successful interns will be referred to for relevant job openings in the future. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK) is seeking to hire a summer Legal Intern to work on permit monitoring, writing comments related to environmental advocacy issues, community advocacy, and legal administrative work. The list of general responsibilities is not exhaustive, and we plan to modify each internship to reflect the interns’ skills, passions, and availability. 

General Responsibilities:  Intern may participate in writing briefs, drafting comments, preparing legal analyses, obtaining right-to-knows, investigating violations of environmental and public health laws, developing policy advocacy campaigns, providing public comment at hearings, and drafting white papers on environmental legal issues for 3RWK. Our interns play an active role on the frontlines to protect our planet and the communities that depend upon it.  

Qualifications:  This internship is designed for current law school students. Prior experience in environmental law or with environmental issues is not required. In assessing candidates for the summer internship, we look for: 

• Demonstrated ability to work with people across different social identities and backgrounds;  
• Exceptional legal writing and analytical skills; 
• Strong oral communication skills; 
• Experience effectively working on a team; 
• Creativity and resourcefulness; 
• Commitment to public service, equity, or justice; 
• Record of academic and/or professional accomplishment; and 
• Commitment to 3RWK’s values and mission. 

ABOUT THREE RIVERS WATERKEEPER

MISSION

Our mission is to protect the water quality of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers, and their respective watersheds.

VISION

Our Vision is to have drinkable, fishable, swimmable water in the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers, and their respective watersheds.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK) was founded in 2009 and aims to improve and protect the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. These waterways are critical to the health, vitality, and economic prosperity of our region and communities. 3RWK is both a scientific and legal advocate for the community, working to ensure our three rivers are protected and safe to drink, fish, swim and enjoy.

WE ARE PART OF THE WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE

3RWK is a member organization of the Waterkeeper Alliance whose mission is to protect our right to clean water in communities around the world. The Alliance is a global movement of united organizations working for clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet. Together, we make up a vast network aimed at preserving and protecting our waters by connecting local Waterkeeper organizations and affiliates worldwide. Waterkeeper Alliance unites more than 300 Waterkeeper organizations and affiliates that are on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications can be submitted as a single PDF to jobs@threeriverswaterkeeper.org. You will need to submit a cover letter, transcript, resume/CV, references, and a legal writing sample that does not reflect edits by anyone other than you. You may address your cover letter to Dr. Heather Hulton VanTassel. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis; all applications received prior to January 31st will be fully considered.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities. We actively encourage women, BIPOC and disabled applicants and value the positive impact that difference has on our teams. We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce.

If you are having technical difficulty while applying, or if you are a person with a disability and you need assistance applying online, please reach out to ops@threeriverswaterkeeper.org 

For further information about 3RWK, please visit www.threeriverswaterkeeper.org or email ops@threeriverswaterkeeper.org.