Summer 2026 Henry Henderson Fellow

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law science and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planets wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air clean water and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of Americas bedrock environmental laws including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today our team of more than 700 lawyers scientists economists policy advocates communications experts and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington D.C.

NRDC is seeking a Summer 2026 Henry Henderson Fellow to work with the Environment Equity & Justice Center (EEJC) team associated with our Washington D.C. New York Santa Monica or Chicago office(s).

Reporting to the Staff Community Scientist the Henry Henderson Fellow will work in close collaboration with Staff Community Scientists the Director of Community Science and others in the Environment Equity & Justice Center (EEJC) to advance NRDCs understanding and practice of community science methodologies to support and advance EJ campaign priorities. The Fellow preferably will be based out of NRDCs Washington D.C. office. NRDCs Chicago Santa Monica and New York offices will also be considered as with locations based on project priorities.

• Advancing methods and best practices for community-driven science or participatory research projects including data sovereignty issues.
• Community driven qualitative and quantitative monitoring tools.
• The use of existing scientific data to support environmental and climate justice initiatives.

Education & Experience

• Graduate student enrolled in an accredited university/college program
• Background in an environmental social justice or scientific field (e.g. environmental science engineering public health environmental policy etc.)

Skills Abilities Competencies

• Interest in broadening their engagement in community-directed science
• Passion for applying methodologies to issues of social justice environmental health disparities climate change and related challenges
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Strong interest and enthusiasm in environmental protection/conservation and advocacy
• Commitment to NRDCs mission values and DEI principles

Preferred

• Community-driven science or participatory research including research methods and best practices
  Knowledge and skills in qualitative and quantitative community science methodologies
  Co-development of qualitative and quantitative monitoring tools
  Traditional Ecological Knowledge and documentation strategies
  The development and community validation of indexes related to environmental justice community health and wellbeing

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity equity and inclusion both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planets most pressing environmental problems and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race color religion gender gender identity or expression marital status sexual orientation national origin citizenship age disability veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

This position is: a paid fellowship with a stipend equivalent to $10000.00 that will be paid out bi-weekly over the course of the assignment.

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

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come into the office 8 days per month.

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 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 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.

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