Intern - Clean Energy Siting Team

New York State Energy Research • New York, NY

7d • $18 - $20 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a leader in advancing New York’s energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has remained a credible, objective and trusted partner in our state’s energy planning as well as deploying new and innovative technologies to expand New York’s economy. NYSERDA has worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, lower energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA engages with stakeholders including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably in the clean energy transition.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Siting Team supports New York’s ambitious climate and energy goals by working with local governments, communities, industry groups, and other stakeholders to address and overcome obstacles to clean energy project development. The selected intern will join a highly adaptive and motivated team and will gain first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges surrounding clean energy technologies such as solar, wind, and energy storage.

This is a paid internship for current students at an accredited college. The pay rate is from $18 to $20 per hour based on current class year. This internship will begin June 1, 2026 term and, if mutually agreeable between the Intern Manager and selected candidate, may be extended through the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semesters.

Interns must be located in New York State or an immediately adjacent state while working. It is expected that interns will follow our telework policy, with a combination of in-office and remote work. Interns work up to 18.5 hours per week during the semester, and up to 37.5 hours per week between semesters, when not attending classes.

Requirements

• Current, full-time undergraduate or graduate student, pursuing a degree in public policy, public administration, environmental policy/law, sustainability management, or a related field.
• Proficiency and/or working knowledge [IL1] regarding policy analysis, technical research and writing, and the current federal/State clean energy landscape.
• Working knowledge or familiarity with distributed and large-scale clean energy resources and/or relevant State and municipal processes (siting, planning, zoning, and permitting) highly preferred.
• Experience utilizing databases to organize data, track progress, and generate reports.
• Ability to research complex topics and respond to external inquiries in a professional manner.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments or priorities, meet deadlines and deliver on commitments, and demonstrate a strong and adaptive work ethic.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently on a fast-paced, multi-faceted team.
• Excellent Microsoft Office capabilities, especially MS Excel; experience with Salesforce/CRM programs highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Support the update and revision of technical guidance materials on clean energy technologies (including solar, wind, and energy storage).
• Assist with research and content development for educational resources on economic benefits of clean energy projects, including PILOTs, host community agreements, and the host community benefit program.
• Track the status of large-scale clean energy project development in New York State.
• Support the planning, coordination, and logistical preparation for clean energy educational workshops.
• Research and track local laws and regulations for solar, wind, and energy storage across New York State.
• Assist with managing incoming inquiries related to clean energy development and local or state law.
• Support outreach efforts to local governments and external stakeholders on clean energy siting issues.
• Demonstrate respect, equity, and inclusive behavior and practices with a diverse workforce and community.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees