Outdoors Alliance for Kids Intern

Job Title: Outdoors Alliance for Kids Intern
Department: Program Department
Location: Washington, DC preferred
Reports to: Outdoors Alliance for Kids Manager
Duration: 6 months; 15 hours/week

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: Works closely with the OAK Campaign Manager, OAK Members, and Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign team. Assists in advancing OAK’s short and long-term goals, including carrying out advocacy and government relations activities and supporting policies and projects prioritized by the alliance. In cooperation with Sierra Club staff and OAK members, centers equity in all OAK activities. Researches and analyzes federal, state and local policy, drafts communications, performs outreach, helps to plan OAK events, helps keep website and social media sites up to date. Performs special projects as assigned. 

Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign seeks to advance a just, equitable, and inclusive movement that ensures access to the outdoors for all people. The campaign works to advance outdoor equity through several national and local projects including the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), a national strategic partnership of over 100 organizations and businesses working to connect children, youth and families to the outdoors. Since 2010, this multi-sector coalition has worked to raise awareness and activate leaders and decision-makers at the federal level to support change efforts that expand and strengthen equitable outdoor education, community health and wellness, and conservation opportunities for children, youth and families across America. The OAK Internship provides hands-on experience into the federal policy process, advocacy, partnership engagement and coalition coordination. Interns in this paid, temporary position will have an unparalleled opportunity to learn about and engage in outdoors policy at the federal level and work side-by-side with some of the most influential organizations in the US. 

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Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Provides Operational & Organizational Support for the Alliance: Supports OAK Campaign Manager on a wide range of activities to advance the campaigns, initiatives and operations of the alliance. This includes attending key meetings of the alliance (schedule depending), and taking meeting notes in real-time using google documents. Helps with OAK’s internal organization by processing new members, keeping google folders well-organized and tidy, updating OAK’s website and resources, and other projects as assigned.

2. Support in Event Planning: Assists in the planning of OAK meetings and events, both virtual and in-person, including an annual Washington, D.C. based advocacy day. Tasks may include partner outreach, research, scheduling meetings, developing agendas and printed materials, organizing on the ground logistics, and others as needed.

3. Provide Assistance with Partner Outreach: Assists with outreach to non-profit organizations, businesses and government agencies in order to support a number of priority campaigns, including One Million Kids Outdoors. Updates OAK’s membership database and contact information for member organizations, and performs research on potential alliance members and partner groups. 

4. Assist in Communications Content Creation: Support the development of content for emails, newsletters, OAK website (WordPress), blog posts, social media, fact sheets and policy letters. 

5. Help with research and document preparation: Performs policy research and analysis. Attends Congressional briefings, hearings and other activities, takes notes, and distributes to relevant stakeholders, as assigned.

6. Performs special projects and miscellaneous duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

• Interpersonal skills. Exhibits emotional intelligence, ability to engage in courageous conversations, especially around equity and inclusion, ability to build and maintain transformational relationships.

• Communication skills. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Experience developing powerpoint presentations, one-pagers, fact-sheets, etc. Comfort with (or ability to quickly learn) using software and online tools, such as the Google Suite, WordPress, MailChimp, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

• Work Ethics and Dependability. Ability to set and honor deadlines, follow through on commitments, and be responsive to a variety of communications styles. Flexible to meet the needs of an ever-changing landscape. 

• Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.

• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience, skills and competencies:

• Policy and advocacy expertise. 

• Knowledge of justice, environmental/conservation, health and wellness, youth and/or outdoors movements.

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Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is $18 - $20 per hour, depending on location.

This is a category 99 non-exempt, non-represented, temporary position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

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To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Applications will be accepted through October 12, 2026.