Our Children’s Trust is seeking a Climate Science & Economic Intern to join our team. 

OCT only utilizes the best science and energy research, placing a premium on careful, accurate, and self-directed work.  

Climate Science & Economic Interns will use scientific climate, energy, economic and health research and analyses to directly support OCT’s legal efforts in local, state, federal, and/or international actions. Interns will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, which could include assisting scientists and expert witnesses around the country and the world in developing the best scientific and economic understandings to ground and guide litigation; investigate the impacts of climate change and means of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions; draft, review, and edit complaints, briefs, motions, discovery requests, and declarations; and build real-world analogies and stories that speak scientific truth to political power.  

About Us:   

Our Children’s Trust (OCT) was founded in 2010 on the idea that courts are vital to democracy and empowered to protect our children and the planet. Without a stable climate system, every natural resource we rely upon to exercise our basic human rights—life, liberty, home, happiness—is under threat. Our work will be achieved when there is universal recognition of children’s climate rights by courts around the world and children’s fundamental rights to life on this planet are protected. www.ourchildrenstrust.org.  

Position Summary:  

Interns will use scientific climate and energy economic research and analyses to directly support OCT’s legal efforts in local, state, federal, and/or international actions. Interns will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, which could include:   

• Assisting scientists and expert witnesses around the country and the world in developing the best scientific, economic, and health understandings to ground and guide litigation   
• Investigate the impacts of climate change and means of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions  
• Draft, review, and edit complaints, briefs, motions, discovery requests, and declarations;  
• Build real-world analogies and stories that speak scientific truth to political power  
• support the case Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, that is going to trial this summer 2024!!  

Time Commitment:   

The position is full-time and can be completed remotely or in our office in Eugene, Oregon. Preference will be given to students who can commit to working full time during the Summer. Minimum commitment is 10 weeks (about 2 and a half months).  

Compensation:  

Interns are provided a $6,000 stipend for the summer. Our Children’s Trust is willing to support interns in securing outside funding or academic credit for their work.   

 Required Education   

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences or economics   
• Currently enrolled in a graduate program (Masters or PhD) in natural sciences or economics.  

Expectation for All Employees and Interns  

• Exceptional writing, organizational, and communication skills  
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence   
• Identify and solve problems with sound judgment and effective solutions  
• Work independently, jointly, and under pressure  
• Respectful, approachable and team oriented, building strong working relationships and contributing to a positive work environment  
• Takes personal responsibility for job performance; receptive to feedback, willing to learn, and embraces continuous improvement  

Application Instructions  

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they have every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure of whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.  

Visit our Jobs and Internship page at https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/jobs-internships, and follow prompts to submit:   

• Resume.   
• Copy of your transcript(s) (official or unofficial with your resume. 
• One-page cover letter that addresses your interest in OCT’s mission.    
• Short and concise writing sample (no more than 7 pages) as an attachment to your cover letter. 
• A list of three professional references and their contact information.  

Application Deadlines:   

OCT considers applications on a rolling basis and will consider all applications until the program is full, but gives priority to applications for the Summer term as follows:  

• Summer: Applications received by April 30 and for full-time work are given priority consideration.  

This is an unprecedented opportunity for students of climate and natural sciences or economics to be part of a cutting-edge legal strategy and work with some of the top attorneys and scientists from around the world to address the climate crisis.  

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background clearance. 

Working Conditions/Work Schedule:  

Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting. Work is primarily performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours; however, evening and weekend hours may be necessary dependent upon case activity, deadlines, and workload.  

Physical Working Requirements:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to the extent possible and appropriate in the event of ADA qualifying disability.  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.  

EEO Statement  

At Our Children’s Trust, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our Children’s Trust believes that diversity and inclusion is critical to our success and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people. 

https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit-internship/42f33af5bfa24c84afc93d1a70bc6346-climate-science-economic-intern-our-childrens-trust-eugene?utm_source=symplicity&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=listings-api