Summer 2026 Global Toxics Intern (Fordham IPED Students Only)

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org

As a global leader on the issue of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) and mercury, NRDC is executing a global knowledge management and communications project, under the Global Opportunities for Long-term Development (GOLD) in ASGM program (aka planetGOLD). In alignment with NRDC’s strategic focus on healthy and thriving communities both in the US and internationally, the planetGOLD program strives to control mercury pollution and other environmental impacts from mercury-based ASGM by replacing this widespread practice with safer, mercury-free methods, without undermining critically needed livelihoods.

Working with the Knowledge Management Coordinator, the intern will carry out research and synthesize existing information and examples on a key ASGM topic, falling under one of the pillars of the program: formalization, access to finance, technology transfer, and responsible supply chains.  Responsibilities will include:

• Research, collate and document available information relevant to key ASGM topic (s), to be chosen in collaboration with the Knowledge Management coordinator. Topics may include:
  • Rehabilitation best practices for ASGM sites
  • Reducing carbon emissions from ASGM
  • Case studies documenting interactions between ASGM and Indigenous Persons
  • Challenges and successes in increasing access to finance for women in the ASGM sector
  • Other topics as identified
• Produce at least one white paper/research paper on the chosen topic(s), to be published as a report on the planetGOLD website.
• Participate in planetGOLD knowledge exchange events (webinars/meetings), as time permits.

• Currently a graduate student from Fordham's IPED program.
• Experience with research deriving from formal peer-review literature as well as “grey” literature as well as through interviews.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Self-motivation and ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines with limited supervision.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Outlook.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French a plus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.

The incumbent will not qualify as an employee, fellow, volunteer, or independent contractor of NRDC, nor will the incumbent be guaranteed employment at the end of the internship term.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Interns are required to come into the office 2 days/week.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination. Those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions. NRDC treats all vaccination-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.