About the Program:
Working towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing the impacts of climate change will require an unprecedented transition to a net-zero economy. A transition of the necessary scale has the potential to offer significant social and economic benefits. However, an economy-wide transition poses significant risk to vulnerable communities, regions, and sectors. WRI works across different sectors, regions, and types of projects to produce research, resources, and data to help those who are most vulnerable participate and thrive in a net-zero economy. One of WRI's focus areas is frameworks and models to deliver benefits, such as community benefits agreements (CBA) and the Department of Energy's Community Benefits Plan (CBP) process, to help ensure communities see positive impacts from clean energy project developments. Through a new portfolio of research, community engagement, and convening, WRI is collaborating to create resources that help community members, developers, governments, and others engage meaningfully. Through this work, WRI seeks to empower and build the capacity for local communities to co-create solutions that address their unique needs and aspirations.
This position is hybrid and will require a few days per week in our Washington DC office.
What you will do:
As a Community Benefits Research Intern, you will play a key role in expanding WRI's work on community benefits. You will do research, analyze agreements, help draft articles, join stakeholder meetings, and learn about different types of frameworks to deliver benefits to communities across the US. As part of this work, you will begin by contributing to the expansion of a database tracking agreements and their characteristics. Based on this and additional research, you will support the development of external-facing knowledge products and communications materials and assist with stakeholder engagement. You will be supported by colleagues on the US Climate and Energy program working directly on community benefits and related environmental justice and policy work.
Internship Learning Outcomes:

• Conduct research and writing activities on models to deliver benefits to communities across the US.
• Understand various aspects and processes of these agreements and how they affect developments.
• Engage with community groups and stakeholders who have been involved in past agreements and learn from their personal experiences.
• Learn about challenges that communities, developers, government agencies, and other groups face.
• Contribute written content for publications and presentations.
• Assist team members with collecting and organizing data from various sources.

What you will need:
•Pursuing or completed a bachelor's or master's degree in policy, planning, labor studies, political science, sociology, or related fields.
•Research and analytical skills.
•Familiarity with or interest in community benefits agreements, labor agreements, and/or other types of agreements.
•Ability to coordinate with internal and external teams promptly.
•Previous experience or demonstrated interest in energy development, transmission, or clean energy.
•Previous experience in community engagement is a plus.
•Previous experience with Asana is a plus.
Compensation
The pay for this internship opportunity is $20/hour for undergrads; $22/hour for graduates and $24/hour for PhD students.
Length of Contract:
This is a full-time, 6 month internship with a flexible start and end date.
Location:
•This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office. You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days per month.
•WRI will provide a laptop for the duration of your internship.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with a cover letter by May 5, 2024. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
About Us: Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world's greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people's lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.
WRI is committed to advancing gender, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.
Our mission and values:
WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.