Economic Policy Intern

Program/Department Overview

The EDF Economics team examines environmental problems through an economic lens, working with communities, policymakers and other partners to use economic forces for good. In a warming world, we’re helping to develop climate solutions that create jobs, build resilient communities, and cut pollution in an effective, equitable way.

Overall Function

This intern will support the Economics team in advancing spatial data analysis and research to inform climate and equity-focused initiatives. A key focus will be expanding our U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index – currently available for census tracts and counties – to include congressional districts. The intern will also contribute to cross-cutting team collaborations that seek to overlay the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index with other research that explores the intersection of climate impacts, economics, science, and equity.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but are not limited to:

• Assist in expanding the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index to rank climate vulnerability of congressional districts using geospatial tools and methods.
• Contribute to ongoing maintenance and refinement of the U.S. CVI dataset, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and clarity for community and researcher use.
• Help update and organize a publicly accessible data repository, supporting broader use of the data by coders, modelers, and the general public.
• Create spatial data products (e.g. for ArcGIS or QGIS) to increase accessibility for spatial analysts and mapping projects.
• Collaborate with team members to draft memos, factsheets, reports or visual summaries that communicate data insights to policy-facing staff and external partners.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a master’s degree program.
• Demonstrated interest in economics, climate policy, environmental justice, spatial analysis, data science, or a related field.
• Coursework in environmental policy, economics, or spatial analysis recommended.
• Experience working with Excel for data organization and analysis.
• Basic proficiency in R, geographic information systems, and spatial data concepts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.

Location

U.S. Remote with option to be hybrid out of an EDF office in New York/Austin

Intern supervisor is in New York and many team members are in New York and Austin.

Term

Fall 2025

Hours

Part-time (20 hr/week) or Full-time (35 hr/week)

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $20/hr.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.