About Climate Action RI 

Climate Action RI (350.org/ri) is a local 350.org affiliate .  We are a not-for-profit, volunteer-led group with about 3,000 members on our email list.  CARI’s mission is to change the way our society creates and uses energy, focusing on the elimination of fossil fuel extraction and use, and the way we work together in anticipation of climate change.  We do this work through vivid, nonviolent actions that stimulate public engagement; direct communication with stakeholders and legislators; and mutual support with other organizations whose missions overlap our own.  We are committed to climate and environmental justice across all sectors to foster a healthy and equitable society.  

Internship Description 

CARI seeks a part-time paid Renewable Energy & Utilities Campaign Intern.  CARI is participating in Taking the Power Back, a campaign of the National Council and 350.org affiliates to ensure safe and affordable energy, allow the transition to renewable energy, and promote energy democracy. The two near-term goals of the campaign are (1) organizing a distributed action to take place in August 2024 and (2) pursuing passage of S2956, a bill introduced during the 2024 Rhode Island legislative session that would prohibit public utilities from using ratepayer funds for advertising, trade association memberships, charitable giving, lobbying, campaign contributions, litigation, and participation in contested proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission. 

This is a part-time position working 10 hours per week at $18 per hour.  Most work will be conducted remotely, and most hours are flexible.  There will be weekly interaction with CARI leadership.  The start date is flexible, with the internship beginning sometime in June and continuing until sometime in August. 

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to identify how investor-owned monopoly utilities are working against ratepayers’ interests and a renewable energy transition at the national and state levels 
• Create a written inventory of research findings 
• Identify effective means of developing a shared public narrative against investor-owned monopoly utilities 
• Write content for letters to the editor and solicitations of support for S2956 
• Perform other work as requested by CARI leadership 

Requirements 

• Research experience, including internet searches and document analysis 
• Experience using Google Drive, Excel, MS Office Suite, Zoom, and other common professional platforms/programs 
• Excellent writing skills 
• Comfort working and communicating with a broad range of people 
• Excellent active listening, verbal and written communication skills 
• High school diploma/GED and some college coursework related to energy policy, environmental science, and/or environmental justice 
• Community organizing experience preferred 

We encourage individuals who believe they can execute these responsibilities to apply, even if they do not have every listed qualification/skill. 

How to Apply

Individuals who want to apply should send a cover letter and resume to April Donahower at [email protected] with “Renewable Energy & Utilities Campaign Intern” in the subject line.  A writing sample is encouraged but not required.