Environmental Justice Organizer - Internship

Clean Water Action•East Lansing, MI

3d•$16 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

Clean Water Action focuses on campaigns related to water access, water quality, and environmental justice. With over half a million members nationwide and 160,000 members in Michigan, Clean Water Action's impact is far-reaching. We work to empower people to take action to protect America's waters, build healthy communities and to make democracy work for all of us. Our recent victories include passing the strongest lead in drinking water standard in the country here in Michigan, passing federal drinking water standards for PFAs, and continuing to fund lead pipe replacement across the state. Right now, Michigan is experiencing a surge in proposed data center developments, despite the protests of local residents all across the state - who have good reason to be skeptical. Data centers consistently promise economic development opportunities that don’t materialize. While there are temporary job gains during construction, data centers have historically created only a few low wage jobs in the long term, while communities pay the price in higher energy bills and threats to water quality. A May 2026 poll found that 77% of Michigan residents support regulations requiring more transparency from data center projects. We need to pause this data center frenzy before more damage is done. That's why we're working to pass a moratorium on data center construction across the state.

Requirements

Strong oral and written communication skills
Good attention to detail
Cultural competence
Commitment to racial justice and equity
Interest in environmental or social justice issues, non-profit work, or politics
Enjoy working with a broad spectrum of people
Comfortable dealing directly with people every day
Availability at least through the end of the Fall semester
Specific plans to be located in Ann Arbor or East Lansing, MI

Nice To Haves

Background in Social Work, Sociology, Communications, Political Science, Public Health, or Environmental Studies
Multilingual candidates

Responsibilities

Ensuring communities are aware of our issues and given the tools to achieve solutions by organizing and fundraising with our field canvass team.
Aiding community members in writing letters or otherwise contacting their lawmakers on these issues.
Identifying volunteers who will work with us to hold politicians accountable for their votes on environmental and health related issues.
Participating in occasional press conferences, lobby days, and other events.